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

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 182364

1. "Harry thought of A History of Magic;" – have Hermione's habits
finally worn off on him?

Alla:

Eh, I never thought that Harry is the type of person who is 
completely uninterested in books, Hermione or no Hermione. I mean, of 
course he does not read nearly as MUCH as Hermione does and would 
take Qudditch over the book at any time, it seems, but even in PS/SS 
narrator makes a point that Harry thought the school books were 
interesting or something like that.

So, I guess I am not sure if you mean Hermione's habits in regard of 
reading this particular book, then my answer is probably yes, but if 
we are talking about Hermione's habits as to reading in general my 
answer is no. My answer is that Harry can open a book sometimes 
without Hermione's habits wearing off on him.



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?

Alla:

Sad, very very sad and again possibilities of what might have been.


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?

Sadly no. I mean as you are saying in another question there was a 
tension and build up and surprise, but I had no clue.


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?

Gross.

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.)

Alla:

Yes, well the description of James' death was contradictory I 
thought, but Pippin and Zara pretty much convinced me earlier that 
Voldemort did have reasons to lie before about James' death.

On its own, I loved the scene and found it to be incredibly moving.

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?

Alla:
I am assuming that memories should be true since this is the last 
book.

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?


Alla:

I understand that trusting one's friends too much can be considered a 
shortcoming and sometimes deservingly so, but I can never consider it 
to be a shortcoming, ever and I can be wrong of course. It's just the 
kind of person I am. I do not call somebody a friend easily, oh no. I 
was amazed when I came to live to the US that the word friend is 
thrown around so much, hehe. For me the majority of people I meet and 
hang out with are acquaintances, no more than that.

Anyways, if I call somebody a friend, I trust them a lot and I mean a 
lot and if I get burned, well honestly so be it. Going back to 
Potterverse, my answer is that sure in hindsight Potters should have 
been alarmed, but I do not blame them one bit for not being so and 
thinking of Peter better than they should have been.

I am not sure what I thought of the picture, I do not remember. 

I also do not think that Harry and Hermione's relationship altered in 
any way as result. I mean, what's there to be altered – deep loyalty, 
friendship and trust are already there IMO.

Thanks for the great questions Anita.