CHAPTER DISCUSSION PS/SS 16, Through the trapdoor

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 188636



--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Caryl Brown" <carylcb at ...> wrote:
>
><SNIP of the summary>

1.	Why do you think it took from October to June for "Snape" to go after the
Stone?

Alla:

See, I find it easier for myself not to try figuring out stuff like this, because usually I end up thinking – gee this makes no sense and get irritated with the author lol. So my answer is JKR slowed him down to make sure the action in the book runs the whole year. 



2. Do you find it surprising/objectionable that JKR makes such casual
references to drinking alcohol and people getting drunk in a book written
primarily for children?

Alla:

Eh, no. I do not think that children will automatically copy in their behavior every objectionable thing they may read in fiction. 




3. Do you think Snape's warning to Harry about nighttime wanderings came from
overhearing the trio's conversation with McGonagall and Harry's speculation
about Snape going after the Stone that night?

Alla:

Could be, or maybe Snape just preferred Harry to do less wanderings period.



4. Knowing what we do now about Snape's efforts to protect Harry, why do you
think he acted in such a suspicious manner if he really wanted to keep Harry
from acting? Why not just tell him outright?


Alla:

Oh, this is to me a very good example of why I think Dumbledore picked such an idiot protector for Harry and also a very good example how little of child's behavior Snape really knows and can influence IMO.

I rarely if ever bring the discussion of fanfiction on this list, since it is not the list to discuss fanfiction, but I think what I am about to bring up is helpful to the discussion of this part of canon. So I will do it just once.

I read a funny DH story few months ago, which is partially AU and partially DH canon and where basically before DH Dumbledore, who is alive asks Snape to make sure Harry does not leave Dursleys for too long because it is dangerous for him, Voldemort can catch him, whatever. And well, Snape who is in sort of hiding with Lucius (do not ask) is getting angry and complains to Lucius that old man got completely crazy, how does he think I will ensure that Potter does that, Potter never listened to me, why the heck he will listen to me now especially when he thinks I killed Dumbledore.

Lucius makes a suggestion, which he claims always worked with Draco when Draco was in one of his "do to the contrary of what parent says" moods.

Anyways, next day Harry gets a letter, which reads something like that "Potter I demand you go and surrender to the Dark Lord right now" and signed Snape, one of the Dark Lord minions (or something like that, I am paraphrasing, but you got the gist). Harry of course decides to be extra careful and not leave Dursleys till order picks them up.

Did Snape seriously think that after him treating Harry as he did Harry will pay his warning any attention?



5. This is the first time we see Harry, Ron, and Hermione work as a team to
fight Voldemort. What skills do you attribute to each and why do you think they
work so well together?

Alla:

I loved their teamwork and that made me all the more annoyed at the movies that must not be named. Hear me filmmakers, book Hermione CAN loose her head and yes, Ron can make sure that she is back to her thinking.

I am not sure about special skills, especially in book 1 except of course Hermione being erm
 extremely well read.



6. The key was still flying around, the chess pieces were in the proper
position and enough potions were available to permit Harry to make his way
through to the end. Did you find it surprising that the first intruder hadn't
taken steps to keep from being followed?

Alla:

Yes, but this again goes back to does not make too much sense lol. Unless he was in extra hurry and I am not sure why he would be.



7. Were you surprised that Snape's protection was more logic than pure
potions? Did you try or were you able to solve the puzzle before reading
Hermione's solution?


Alla:

Well, no I was not surprised, I think I actually remember it pretty well that with Snape dismissing "silly wand waving", I sort of expected him to be logical, just was not sure that this is not wide spread among the wizards lol. No I could not solve the puzzle.


8. When I reread this chapter I remembered just how much FUN it was to read and how much foreshadowing author stuck in there.

Consider, here is the famous quote, which some of us kept hoping for years meant that Harry will survive:

"In years to come, Harry would never quite remember how he had managed to get through his exams when he half expected Voldemort to come bursting through the door at any moment"

No, of course I was not sure, but as I said, this one sounded hopeful.


"Not for nothing, though, was Harry the youngest Seeker in a century. He had a knack for spotting things other people didn't"


Alla:

I love this one especially after DH. So, do you see any other foreshadowing examples in this chapter?


Thank you for the fun questions, Caryl.