Re: CHAPDISC: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 17, Bathilda’s Secret

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 182405


> Anita:
> 2. We've waited for seven books to get our first glimpse of the 
house
> in Godric's Hollow. How satisfying was the scene where Harry finally
> sees his family home?

Potioncat:
The scene itself was very moving, especially since wizarding folk 
were leaving messages of support. The enchantments on the house and 
statue showed how wizards and Muggles could live side-by-side yet not 
really know each other. And it's made me wonder what the memorials in 
my area might look like with magic-eyes.

But I found it hard to believe that no one ever said anything to 
Harry about the house and statue during his Hogwarts days. It made 
for a better scene that he didn't know, of course, just sort of hard 
to believe.
> 
> 3. "Bathilda" seems to be able to see Harry and Hermione beneath the
> Invisibility Cloak. Does this mean that Nagini can see through
> Cloaks? Does LV know they're there and communicates it to Nagini?
> Clearly, someone is there, since the sign has risen out of the
> ground, but how does LV!Nagini know where they're standing?


> Potioncat:
> 4. As Harry and Hermione enter the house, the description of 
Bathilda
> is actually a series of clues as to her state. Of course, we all 
have
> the advantage of hindsight; did any of this set off alarms for you 
on
> the first read?
 6. How much of the mess in Bathilda's house do you suppose is really
> the poor dear's own clutter and how much should have been a warning
> to Harry and Hermione that something was terribly wrong?

Potioncat:
I tell myself it was because I was reading all in one marathon event. 
It would be so nice to have savored the book, and taken time between 
chapters to consider the plot and characters. But, no, I didn't catch 
on. I hope if I ever apply for a home health nursing position, that 
the resume doesn't ask how I evaluated this elderly patient's needs. 
There were so many clues that she wouldn't have been walking around. 

And even afterwards, I didn't catch on that she had been an Inferius 
until someone brought it up on list. I thought somehow that Nagini 
was doing the magic to move her around.

> 
> 8. This chapter contains one of the most grisly (if not THE most
> grisly) scenes in the HP series. What was your initial reaction to
> the – er – unveiling of Bathilda?

Potioncat:
I think I've managed to supress that--or is it repress it? Well, I'm 
not looking forward to the scene in TMTMNBN...Oh, wait. Yes I am. My 
oldest won't see it coming! This will be fun.
> 
> 9. Again, we finally get another scene we've been waiting to see for
> seven books: the deaths of James and Lily Potter and Voldemort's
> destruction. How did the scene live up to your expectations?  What
> did it elucidate that had been unclear previously? (I realize that
> much of this has been discussed.)

Potioncat:
At first I thought they were so stupid for not carrying the wands 
with them. I mean, Molly keeps her in her apron. But you know, you 
get comfortable, if not content. And to set it down for just a 
moment. I expected a duel between James and LV, like Harry had, only 
not successful. It's still true though, that James faced LV bravely.
> 
> 10. Voldemort is a pathological liar, although we know parts of the
> Potter death scene are true, thanks to Harry's Dementor memories. 
How
> reliable are LV's memories of the fateful night in this case?

Potioncat:
I gave that some thought. And maybe it's possible in the same way 
that we sometimes mis-remember things. But in this case, I think it's 
an accurate memory.
> 
> 11. This chapter points up yet again one of JKR's themes: the
> vicissitudes of friendship. Do you think Lily and James were too
> trusting of the Fidelius charm, and they should have been armed
> constantly? What was your reaction to the picture of DD and
> Grindelwald arm in arm? Do you think Harry and Hermione's
> relationship altered any as a result of the events of that night?

Potioncat:
What does it say about Bathilda that she kept that photograph, given 
who her nephew becomes? Is it the love of the boy? How has she looked 
at the photo all these years, knowing how that friendship will turn 
out? I never picked up on the photo of one failed friendship so close 
to the memory of the results of another failed friendship. Good 
catch. (But I don't have an anser.)

Thanks Anita, for the summary and questions. Good job on a difficult 
chapter!