CHAPDISC: DH 23, Malfoy Manor

[Beatrice23]

No: HPFGUIDX 183485

 
> Discussion Questions:
> 1) What did you think of Harry's story, that he is a Slytherin 
> named Vernon Dudley whose father works at the Ministry?

Beatrice:  I thought that the whole "Vernon Dudley" thing was a 
pretty lame lie although understandable given the circumstances.  
Although, it was fantastic how he came up with the details of the 
Slytherin Common Room.
> 
> 2) Greyback takes the party to Malfoy Manor rather than 
> summoning Voldemort himself. Harry surmises this is because 
Greyback 
> is not a marked Death Eater. What do you think? 

Beatrice: I don't think that Greybeck has/had a dark mark.  I doubt 
that Voldemort would bestow such an "honor" on someone who isn't 
considered to have pure blood.  And a werewolf, while useful, would 
never be deemed worthy.
> 
> 3) Narcissa Malfoy seems to have some authority: Greyback and 
> his men defer to her, and she decides to let them in. What is her 
> status, do you think? Which events of this chapter helped to form 
> that opinion?
> 
Beatrice: She is very high up in the ranks of Death Eaters.  She is 
sadistic and twisted just like her master.  I wondered about her 
status after the Spinner;s End Chapter in HBP, but the way she 
ordered everyone about and took the lead in torturing Hermione 
leaves me with little doubt that she is trusted and valued highly by 
LV.

> 4) What did you think of Draco in the scene where he is asked to 
> identify Harry?
> 
Beatrice:  I have never been a fan of Draco and never really rooted 
for him to come over to the good side.  But I hoped that maybe his 
reluctance signaled that he was thinking about it.  I felt rather 
sorry for him.  He seemed to be pretty abused and defeated both here 
and in the "Dark Lord Ascending" Chapter, but his behavior later on 
is too telling of his real nature and his goals.

> 5) Lucius, Bella, and Greyback all argue over who should get 
> what credit for the capture. What does each hope to gain?

Lucius: Redemption and maybe some peace for his family.  Bella: 
Sex? - Definitely status.  Greybeck : $$$$$ and an outlet for his 
perversions.
> 
> 6) Did you learn anything knew about/form any new opinions of 
> Bellatrix in this chapter?

Beatrice: Not really, but it was interesting to see her act in a 
cautious manner as she has seemed so out of control and implusive in 
previous encounters.  Interesting also to see her so masterful and 
in control.
> 
> 7) What did you think prompted Bella's extreme fear when she 
> believed the Sword of Gryffindor was stolen from her vault?

Beatrice:  Well, when she asked what else had been stolen, I figured 
that she had been given a horcrux - Actually, I thought that she had 
one from the Spinner's End chapter when she almost let it slip.  I 
also thought that a horcrux was in Gringotts - for the same reason 
Harry states later.
> 
> 8) What did you think was the explanation for Dumbledore's eye 
> in the broken mirror?

Beatrice:  I really didn't put this together - I thought it might be 
Snape for a second, because I was a DMD Snape believer - but I knew 
that Snape had Brown/black eyes.
> 
> 9) "May your loyalty never waver again", Voldemort said to Peter 
> after giving him the silver hand in GoF. Now we know what he 
meant. 
> What did you think of Peter's death? Did you like or dislike the 
way 
> it ended his story? Do you see any special meaning in it?

Beatrice:  His death was fitting - although I was expecting 
something a little more, ummm I don't know painful? dramatic?  But 
in retrospect it is fitting - He should die by his own hand 
betraying him as he betrayed the Potters
> 
> 10) Do you think, when Peter let Harry go, he experienced a 
> sincere regret for his past actions? Why or why not?

Beatrice:  Regret?  No.  I simply think that he is a coward.  He 
doesn't have conviction in any loyalty so the hesitation simply 
betrays the fact that he is always looking for how circumstances 
might benefit himself...he hesitates because he is thinking about 
it...
> 
> 11) Why do you think Griphook lied to Bella?

Beatrice:  Isn't this in part to save himself?  Isn't Griphook the 
goblin who originally authenticated the sword when it went into 
Gringotts?  Wouldn't that be a fine pickle...
> 
> 12) What did you think was going on with Voldemort in this 
> chapter? What ideas did you have concerning the identity of the 
old 
> man in the tower?

Beatrice: I was pretty sure that it was Grindelwald...but I was 
shocked that he was still alive.  Somehow I figured defeated meant 
dead...just goes to show me.  And shows Dumbledore's greatness too, 
that he defeated him without killing him and wounding his soul.  I 
thought that maybe there might be a way out for Harry...
> 
> 13) Can someone explain to me why Dobby's death is the one death 
> in this book that originally did, and still does, move me to 
tears, 
> even though I always found him annoying? 

Beatrice:  Dobby is annoying - but I liked him better in GoF, OotP, 
and HBP.  I think that his death is so moving because again it is an 
obvious sacrifice to save Harry and it hits Harry terribly.  Also In 
Dobby's death there is a sense of all the deaths that have gone 
before and are still to come.  
> 
> --Zara
> 
> NOTE: For more information on HPfGU's chapter discussions, please 
see
> "HPfGU DH Chapter Discussions" at
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/database
>