CHAPDISC: DH26, Gringotts

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 184051

Beatrice asked:
> 2. Why do the trio align themselves with Griphook? Why not ask for
> Bill's help? Would Bill help them? Why doesn't Harry even consider
> this idea?

SSSusan:
I wish I knew the answer to this.  I don't know if it's because they 
thought Bill would try to dissuade them or would be reluctant to 
help?  Or whether they thought having his help might be putting more 
Weasleys in danger?  (But that doesn't really make sense – Order 
members *are* going to be in danger.)  Or whether they thought that 
Bill simply wouldn't know as much as the goblins?  I really don't 
know.


Beatrice:
> 3. Harry has the sudden urge to destroy Bellatrix's wand when he is
> reminded of the spells it has performed. Is this rational?

SSSusan:
Probably not rational... but perhaps it's just an intuitive urge.  I 
know some will scoff at me, but I think Harry has a strong intuitive 
streak.  And with the connection that exists between wand & wizard, 
maybe it's not wholly irrational either.  Maybe there's reason to 
fear that a wand might be "inclined" towards evil-doing after years & 
years of "growing close" with its owner?


Beatrice:
> 4. Why does Ollivander make Luna and Luna alone a new wand? Why not
> make new wands for all of the people who were incarcerated with him?
> Why not make new wands for as many people as possible who have been
> victimized as he was by Death Eaters? Why doesn't Ollivander think
> about arming the enemies of his enemy? What does this say about his
> character?

SSSusan:
I have no idea what this says about Ollivander's character, but it 
does keep alive that *wondering* I've always had about the guy and 
just how much the Dark Side calls to him.  Okay, maybe not *calls* to 
him, but at least how much he thinks to do all he can for the White 
Hats.  

Frankly, I have no idea why he didn't head off to create a bunch of 
new wands for people he knew would fight against Voldemort, unless he 
simply didn't have access to his stores of materials – and also 
would've had precious little time to recreate those stores.


Beatrice:
> 5. Is Harry's plan to withhold the Sword of Gryffindor from Griphook
> a double-cross? Should Harry have explained their need of the sword
> (withholding certain details of course) and do something to ensure
> that Griphook would allow them to use it for a while? Were you
> comfortable with Harry's decision? Or did you agree with Hermione?

SSSusan:
I really wasn't comfortable with Harry's decision.  I'm most often 
about full disclosure, about believing in its appropriateness and/or 
effectiveness in the end.  Now, I understand the concern that there's 
an uncertainty surrounding trusting *any* goblin and a recognition of 
the possessive look Griphook in particular has towards Gryffindor's 
sword.  Still, I think I would've opted for the option of telling 
Griphook that there WOULD be a delay before he got the sword back but 
that he WOULD get it.  If he would be inclined to believe this of any 
human, it would be of Harry, methinks.


Beatrice:
> 6. Before they leave, Hermione comments that Bellatrix "tasted
> disguisting." How do you think that Harry tasted? His polyjuice
> potion certainly was a more pleasant color. Is a person's
> polyjuice "flavor" significant?

SSSusan:
Hee.  I'd never thought of this.  I've no idea whether one's 
Polyjuice flavor is *significant* in any way... but I do realize now 
that I carry an idea that the flavor is somehow indicative or 
reflective of the person who's "whatever bit" was used in brewing 
it.  

I like to think that my Polyjuice potion might have a faint hint of 
margarita....


Beatrice:
> 7. Hermione breaks character as Bellatrix when she says "good
> morning" to Tom, the Leaky Cauldron barman. Of the three, who is the
> best actor? Is Hermione the best choice to play Bellatrix? Would
> Harry or Ron have done a better job with her character?

SSSusan:
Another excellent question, and one that I had not considered 
previously.  But you're right – we have evidence with Crabbe & Goyle 
that one can cross genders via Polyjuice.  I liked the comment by 
Heather that Ron might have been the better choice, given his greater 
knowledge of the Wizarding World.  Not to mention that he has an 
occasional mean streak which he might have been able to tap into. ;)


Beatrice:
> 11. How did you feel about the description of the dragon and the
> cruel way in which it is kept? Did this make you feel any different
> about Gringotts or goblins? 

SSSusan:
I admit that I was stunned by it.  I didn't think that the goblins 
would have been so... I don't know... *pragmatic* about things that 
they'd have looked at a live creature only for its USE as a security 
device and damn the consequences of how its life was impacted.  I was 
repulsed, frankly.


Beatrice:
> 12. As they enter the vault, they realize that the treasure has been
> charmed or cursed to burn their flesh and multiply. Should Griphook
> have anticipated this little snag? Why aren't they more prepared for
> this? Was Griphook's lapse intentional?

SSSusan:
I have NO evidence on which to base my opinion that this wasn't 
intentional on Griphook's part.  In fact, I'd be excited to read 
anyone's hypothesis that it was.  But I tend to think there are just 
a million different curses or charms which can be used to protect 
things, and this is one of the million Griphook either wasn't aware 
of or didn't think of as a possibility.


Beatrice:
> 13. How do you feel about Griphook's treatment of Harry after Harry
> pulls him from the crushing, burning weight of the treasure?
> Griphook grabs the sword, and in the process the cup is almost lost.
> Did Griphook really intend for Harry to obtain anything from the
> vault? Griphook is accepted without question into the hoard of
> approaching goblins. What do you make of this?

SSSusan:
I made of it that his loyalty still and always lay with his fellow 
goblins and that they expected that.  I also was peeved with him, 
although a bit of me couldn't help but think the Trio should have 
expected it and perhaps even deserved it a little for their lack of 
disclosure concerning the path the sword was going to need to go down 
before ever being returned to Griphook (if it ever would have been).  

OTOH, I don't agree with goblin beliefs concerning craftsmanship = 
ownership, so other than that it had been (semi?-) falsely promised 
to him, I didn't feel he somehow automatically deserved it.


Beatrice:
> 14. Harry, Ron, and Hermione escape on the dragon's back in truly
> spectacular fashion. How did you feel about the dragon's escape?

SSSusan:
I believe that I thought, "Hmmm.  Highly implausible."  ;)  I'm not 
one who tends to nitpick much re: the plot or even too much about 
deus ex machina, but I think this one did strike me as especially 
unbelievable that it worked.

Nice summary, Beatrice, and great questions!

Siriusly Snapey Susan