CHAPTER DISCUSSION PS/SS 16, Through the trapdoor

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 188638


> Questions:


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

Potioncat:
It took that long to find out how to get past Fluffy.  It was April that Hagrid got the dragon egg from a stranger at the Hogshead. It was about 6 weeks later that Quirrell went for the Stone. The only explanation I can think of is that LV needed more doses of unicorn blood for strength, or that they were also trying to work out the other clues.
(Timeline from the Lexicon)
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> 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?

Potioncat:
Sometimes drinking scenes bother me, but these didn't. In this case we see how alcohol was used to trick someone--someone who would never let Dumbledore down. Alcohol wasn't glamorized or promoted to the reader, but very subtly discouraged.
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> 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?

Potioncat:
I don't think Snape overheard the conversation with McGonagall because there seems to be some passage of time between the two meetings. Interesting that both teachers refer to the earlier nighttime event--with McGonagall threatening another 50 points (at her second meeting) and Snape threatening expulsion. McGonagall seems surprised at their being inside so it's no wonder Snape might think they're up to something.  He doesn't have any reason to think they know about the stone, but with DD gone, Snape would want Harry safe. I'm a little surprised McGonagall doesn't take more action, since she knows their concern over the stone.
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> 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?

Potioncat:
I didn't think he acted in a suspicious manner. I thought he was straightforward---"no more nighttime wanderings." Well, yes, it all seemed suspicious to Harry and the reader.
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> 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?

Potioncat:
Harry is the leader of the pack, but not the boss---a different dynamic than Draco's gang. They all have strengths and weaknesses and they respect each other. They also play to each other's strengths and weaknesses. Hermione knew what was needed to thwart the Devil's Snare--but it took Ron to goad her into action. "Are you a witch or not!" I love it and had forgotten it started in SS/PS.

Ron really shines in this chapter--I've been disappointed that JKR let him down a bit in later books.
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> 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?

Potioncat:
I find it surprising that each enchantment has a solution. Maybe the idea was that only DD would know all the solutions but it still seems odd to me.
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> 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?

Potioncat:
It was potions and logic. Again, this one seemed more intent on making the passage successful than on stopping the intruder. If Hermione is correct, very few wizards would have attempted it, but I wonder if Tom Riddle had some skill in logic himself---it seems to be a Muggle trait. I know the later Voldemort had little sense at all.

Thanks for the questions,Caryl!