CHAPDISC: DH6, THE GHOUL IN PYJAMAS

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 178677

--- "dumbledore11214" <dumbledore11214 at ...> wrote:
>
> ...
> 
> CHAPTER DISCUSSION: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
> Chapter 6, The Ghoul in Pyjamas
> 
> ...
> 
> 1.	What do you think of Molly's behavior towards the Trio in 
> this chapter?

bboyminn:

I think it was typical Molly behavior and also very motherly
behavior. But at the same time I don't think it was wise.
Mothers are always over protective. They see their kids as 
much more incapable and inexperienced than they are, but like
I said, that's typical motherly behavior and I expected no
less.

> 2.	Do you think Ron truly believed that Mad Eye may not be 
> dead? If not, why did he argue that?

bboyminn:

I think Ron was desperately looking for any alternate interpretation
of the facts. He knows that Mad-Eye is likely to be dead, but he
is hoping against all hope that he can come up with any other
logical explanation.


> 3.	Did Arthur's explanation to Harry about why Grimmauld place 
> cannot be Order headquarters anymore strike you as consistent with 
> what we knew about how the Secret Keeper charm works prior to DH?.

bboyminn:

It seems that JKR changed the definition and mechanics of the
Secret Keeper Spell, but I'm not so sure. I think she always
tell the truth, but she doesn't necessarily tell the whole truth.
I suspect she was aware that this new expanded function of the
spell was coming, but she could, or didn't want to, give away
those detail since they played a significant part in book 7.
So, she gave us a limited explanation to satisfy the obviously
immense curiosity about the spell, and saved the rest for later.

She said on her website that when the Secret Keeper died, the only
people who would know the spell after that were the people who 
already knew. 

"Everybody in whom they confided will continue to know the hidden
information, but nobody else."

Notice that at the time the Secret Keeper dies, only those who know
will know and nobody else. But that doesn't flat out say that nobody
else can ever know. 

> 4.	If the Diary!Horcrux was possessing Ginny does it mean that 
> the Locket!Horcrux will be possessing Ron later in the book?

bboyminn:

Keep in mind that the Diary was no ordinary Horcrux. It had all of
Tom Riddle's knowledge and memories up to age 16. I think it was 
the combination of the two that gave the diary the means to act as
it did on Ginny. 

Also, keep in mind that we have our explanation of possession from
Ginny, who has experienced a version of it, but is by no means 
an expert. 

So, I think there are different types of possession and very 
different circumstances under which it can occur. 

As to Ron, I think he was under the influence of the Locket,
but I wouldn't go so far as to say it possessed him.

> 5.	Ron and Hermione are committed to help Harry. What did you 
> think of the sacrifices they are making?
> 

bboyminn:

I think to the extent that they are able to, the understand
what they are getting themselves into, but I think their
understanding is very warped. I'm sure they realize that Harry
is withholding information from them, and that leads them to
believe that he and Dumbledore discussed and exchanged a lot
more information than they actually did. I think they are
surprised to find that Harry is just as lost as they are. 

As to their sacrifice, I think it is very brave and loyal of them.
They certainly know there will be great danger, and they willingly
go to face it. That is commendable. 


> 6.	What were your thoughts on Hermione's explanations of 
> what "Horcrux is a complete opposite of a human being" means?  
> Hermione tells Ron that it should be a comfort for him if she kills 
> him with a sword and his soul will not be hurt. What did you think 
> about it?
> 

bboyminn:

I think it was a reasonably simple explanation for Ron's reasonably
simple mind. I think part of this is just JKR re-enforcing certain
themes in the book. That under all but an extremely few circumstance
the soul is eternal. That the True Self lives on after death. It is
only a hint in that moment, but that theme become important later.


> 7.	Where did you think Trio should start their hunt after the 
> wedding?
> 

bboyminn:

I think Ron and Hermione assumed Harry had a plan and knew exactly
there he would look first. So, they were expectin Harry to say,
well we'll pick up the trail here. Unfortunately Molly keeping 
them apart and keeping them from talking prevented Ron and
Hermione from finding out that Harry had very little idea of
what to do or where to go.


> 8.	Insert your question here.
> 
> From Laura - Why did Hermione choose Tottenam Court Road?

bboyminn:

I think she jump to the first muggle landmark that popped into
her head. I believe she said she had been there before so she
would have known that it was a common muggle night spot and her
goal was to hide in plain sight. She assumed a crowd of muggles
would allow them to blend in.

So, I think to some extent it was a random choice, but under that
randomness, there was some logic to it. 

For what it's worth.

Steve/bboyminn