CHAPDISC: DH25, Shell Cottage

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 184001

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "norbertsmummy" 
<aussie_lol at ...> wrote:
>
><SNIP summary>

Questions:

1) Any suggestions why JKR had these characters (Trio, Bill, Fleur,
Mr Ollivander, Griphook, Luna, Dean) in a small house for weeks,
maybe months?


Alla:

I think in the closed space it is easier to see character 
interactions and while it may not be super exciting plot wise, I for 
example quite enjoyed the camping trip simply because we could see 
more trio's interactions and it was interesting for me. So my short 
answer will be because she wanted to develop some relationships more 
and of course some of it was more plot needed.

2) There is a relaxed mood in this chapter, with no spells used in
anger. Some (adrenaline junkie) readers may have been tempted to skip
this chapter to get on with the fighting, and filling of body bags.
This chapter filled a few holes in what goes on with families in
other parts of the Wizarding World. What tidbit did you enjoy, hidden
in this chapter?

Alla:

I actually enjoyed the chapter a lot, but I think I enjoyed them at 
the dining table the most and Bill giving Harry advise, not sure why.


4) There is a saying, "History was written by the winners". The Daily
Prophet has been doing it in most of the books. So are wizards
the "lesser evil" compared to the "not fluffy bunnies", or just as
bad, or worse?

Alla:

I am not sure how the comparison will work here, you know? You mean 
they are lesser evil if Goblins will be in charge of WW? They I 
believe pretty powerful since controlling money to me means pretty 
much being in charge of the world, yes despite h

5) We see many heroes in the Harry Potter books have bad qualities.
Is the possibility of Godric Gryffindor's stealing the sword ("For
the greater good") the thing Harry has to come to terms with about
his house hero?

Alla:

Well, quite frankly I do not believe that he stole the sword; I 
believe Goblins' definition of possession is drastically different 
from ours and yeah, I wish they would have been more honest with 
wizards about it. So, I guess my answer is I do not think there was 
something to come to terms with in the first place here

6) To seal the bargain, Griphook shook hands with Harry Potter. That
sounded ominously like "Just sign here for Dumbledore's Army" to me.
How did you feel about it?

Alla:

Well, no not really. Both sides here I felt were not completely 
honest with each other (Harry and Griphook), so to me comparison with 
DA was not working.


7) Luna deserves her own question. Flowers on Dobby's grave: loyalty
to her father; the only one who Mr Ollivander gave a personal
compliment to as he left; and never complained despite her account of
missing Christmas in a cellar jail. Why do you think she is such an
important presence in Harry Potter's life?

Alla:

I get (I think) what JKR wanted to show with Luna, importance of 
faith, of spirituality,  of if you truly believe the most incredible 
things can come true, even if nobody else believes you.

And of course Luna is incredibly loyal. Having said that, I cannot 
help it, she irritates me and she does that  *a lot*.

8) We see Fleur in her own environment here. She quickly changes from
(ze goblin) fury; to (you are safe 'ere) over-protectiveness; to
getting Mr Ollivander to deliver the tiara (when Bill was going there
too); to (glancing at the window) worry about Bill outside; to anger
at Muriel; to baby hugger; to humble wife ("Wait" said Bill) within
one meal time. What do you think of her?

Alla:

I think Fleur is very cool, another interesting character that could 
be developed further if JKR was telling her story. I do like her and 
yes, I do like her much better than I did in HBP. I mean, I did not 
hate her or anything, but I thought her behavior in Molly's house was 
well, rude. And no, I did not think that Molly and girls behaved 
greatly either.


10) Every culture has differences with Births, Marriages and Deaths
(Hatch, Match and Dispatch). Lupin offers us our only insight into
Wizard Births. Especially a new born Metamorphmagus. Anything special
you see here?


Alla:

No not really. He just said that the baby was born, right? He does 
not give any specifics about the birth or the rituals surrounding it. 
I guess we learned that the hair start changing the day kid is born. 
Oh oh I suppose it is possible to deduce that birth took place at 
home, since he does not say anything about being in St. Mungo, but 
that can be argued either way. And I also think that even if she did 
not go to St. Mungo,  we still cannot say with certainty that home 
birth is the prevailing custom among wizards, since this is war and 
maybe she just did not want to go because she was afraid that DE are 
on staff of St. Mungo.


Thank you for the questions!