CHAPTER DISCUSSION PS/SS 11, QUIDDITCH

[nikkalmati]

No: HPFGUIDX 188570




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> 1.  Per the narrative, "Hermione had become a bit more relaxed about breaking rules since Harry and Ron had saved her from the mountain troll, and she was much nicer for it" [US hardback, p. 181].  Please discuss the notion of being more relaxed about rule-breaking translating into being a nicer person, either in general terms or re: Hermione specifically.

Nikkalmati
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Kids at this age generally see the teachers and the students as "us" and "them."  The authority of the teachers is expressed in rules.  If a student adhers too strictly to rules she puts herself on the side of the teachers and against the other students.  I think Hermione chose the side of the students and her friends, so she seemed nicer.

Nikkalmati


> 2.  Is Harry correct that Snape made up the rule about no books outside school on the spot?  Or do you believe it truly was a Hogwarts rule?  Is this yet another example of Snape picking on Harry unfairly, or is it yet another example of the trio assuming negative things about Snape unfairly?

Nikkalmati

This is a perfectly reasonable rule - that library book are not to be taken outside.  Many libraries don't allow reference books to be taken out of the room itself.  Lots of things could happen to a book outside, such as it could fall in the lake or be burned up by blue flames. :)  OTOH Snape was looking for what the Trio was doing wrong.  They must have looked suspicious since they were trying to hide the blue flames and the book was the only thing he could find. LOL.  It was not as though the Trio were studying.  I suspect that even Hermione does not know all the rules yet.  Note Harry was not afraid  to go and ask for it back, so he wasn't traumitized.

Nikkalmati
 
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> 3.  When Harry & Ron express their belief that Snape had tried to get past the three-headed dog to whatever it was guarding, Hermione says, "No – he wouldn't.  I know he's not very nice, but he wouldn't try and steal something Dumbledore was keeping safe."  Ron snaps back, "Honestly, Hermione, you think all teachers are saints or something.  I'm with Harry, I wouldn't put anything past Snape" [p. 183].  
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> This exchange seems to express much of the crux of the mystery which surrounded Snape all the years we waited for the conclusion of the series:  Is he the kind of person about whom one could rightfully say "I'd never put anything past him"? Or is he to be trusted never to go against something Dumbledore has asked of him?  Was JKR thinking that far ahead at this point??  Do Harry, Ron and/or Hermione ever change their basic opinion as expressed here at any point before the final reveal on Severus Snape?

Nikkalmati

Well, I think we know that SS would do anything DD asked by now.  We also know DD trusted him - the only person DD trusted, apparently.  He would not have trusted SS, if he thought there was a chance he would go against him.  I think JKR had all the major points sketched out and knew where things were going.  I don't think either Ron or Hermione change their points of view.  Unfortunately, we don't see much about this in DH.  Harry's view of SS gets worse as time goes on until he doesn't even believe DD knows the truth.  The death of DD confirms his own opinion that SS is evil.  I don't think that changes until the end.

Nikkalmati
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> 4.  Okay, harken back.  The FIRST time you read this, did you have any inkling that the broomstick jinx *wasn't* Snape's doing, or that it *was* Quirrell's?

> Nikkalmati

No clue that it was anyone else.

Nikkalmati (thanks Susan)