CHAPTER DISCUSSION: PS/SS 14, Norbert The Norwegian Ridgeback

[Jean Lamb]

No: HPFGUIDX 188564

1. Did the way Harry trusted Quirrell and doubted Snape give you an idea of what
to look for in following books?

--Yes. This was a repeated theme. In fact, Rowling was clever to use that against the reader in PoA, where it looked like Harry was wrong to trust Remus, and turned around again in GoF, where 'Fake' Moody was so very, very helpful. Harry started losing trust in a lot of people after that--in fact, by DH Harry was wondering what the heck Dumbledore had in mind, and Harry _always_ trusted Dumbledore. And Snape, who was never trusted (ok, and abusive--he never should have been a teacher)--was faithful till death. 


2. "We wondered who Dumbledore had trusted . apart from you" Hermione flattering
Hagrid. Is this the only time Hermione uses flattery?

--I don't think so; though when somewhere in canon she tells Harry that bravery is everything, and much more important than intelligence, you have to wonder exactly how much she really meant it, and how much she wanted Harry to feel better. 

3. "Dragon breeding was outlawed by the Warlocks' Convention of 1709." RON said
that !?!! He also knows his Broomsticks. What other topics could Ron beat
Hermione at in a trivia night?

--Quidditch. Serious Quidditch. Also, if there was any organized Wizarding Chess, Ron is likely to be knowledegable about that, too. (Blatant Plug: my story on www.fanfiction.net called "Midnight by the Weasley Watch" features Iron Chess!Ron and some serious, serious chess (I used a grandmaster game from 1927 for a truly nasty game between Severus Snape and Lucius Malfoy, after Malfoy has almost gotten Ron in a bad, bad corner over a bet. Ron thought he could make some easy money, you see...). I bet Ron listens hard to his brother Bill's stories about goblins and curse-breaking, too. 

4. Only four of the teachers were members of the Order of the Phoenix. If JKR
re-wrote this, would Moody, Lupin or other trusted people have been called in?
Who and why?

--It depends if it's something that has to be handled by someone not from the school. We don't see much of the real Moody in any action, but he's likely to be competent enough that Harry and his friends wouldn't be called in, and hey, there goes the story! 

5. Norbert was the star of this chapter. We witnessed the birth and habits of a
young Dragon. But after that, he almost never got a mention. So why have Norbert
there at all? Your opinion please.

--Well, Norbert shows that parts of the magical world look cute but can still hurt you. This is something that Harry doesn't really know yet. 

6. How did Hagrid's attitude towards Norbert develop Hagrid's character for you?

--He's a sweetheart who doesn't really understand that other, smaller people can be injured even though he can't. He's used to thinking of himself and others as indestructible. Even though his own house isn't, really. 

7. If you knew your plans for Norbert were leaked to Malfoy, how would you have
avoided trouble?

--"Hey! If you help us, we'll let you hold him! Bet you never actually _held_ a dragon before!"

8. . and your question is ..

Er...can't think of one!


Jean Lamb
tlambs1138 at charter.net
excessiveperky at LJ
Meet the Carstairs Sisters at www.gameoflove1.com today!


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