DH reread CH 13-14

[Zara]

No: HPFGUIDX 186495

> Alla:
> Is JKR saying here that as long as they tried to save the life of his wife, what was done to him is the means justifies the ends?

Zara:
No, though I do think Cattermole would in the end be grateful. He would probably have been less effective in securing her release. I don't think that would make sense anyway, as her rescue was an unplanned diversion from the primary mission of the Trio.

> Alla:
> Is the fact that they tried to save his wife means that they were wrong, but now they are back to themselves?

Zara:
They were themselves all along. They did not poison Mr. Cattermole with a Puking Pastille in some sort of moment of personality derangement. It was a part of a plan they had worked out in cold blood over the course of weeks.

> Alla:
> What does it mean to you if it does not mean anything of the above?

Zara:
The chapter showed us what Harry and Co. were fighting, in all its gory details. The personal corruption in the new Ministry (worsened, I would say, when Umbridge has her eye, and people threaten relatives of coworkers to obtain services, or turn each other in in hopes of getting their jobs). And of course, the very worst, the treatment of Muggle-born witches and wizards under the new regime. So I think it showed, starkly, what was the underlying motivation of the Trio in this book. (Because it was their disgust and disapproval of what they saw, that motivated them to rescue Mrs. Cattermole and the others).

> "Harry could still see the blond-haired youth's face, it was merry, wild; there was a Fred and George-ish air of triumphant trickery about him" - p.233
> 
> Alla:
> 
> Now, knowing that this youth is Grindelwald, it seems to me that by comparing his air of trickery with Fred and George's air of trickery, I think this is one of those moments when JKR is saying that their pranks are not always necessarily good things?

Zara:
Oh, I would like that! I doubt it, though. 

> Alla: 
> On the other hand, maybe it is the contrary thing, maybe the fact that young Grindelwald is portrayed as merry faced, maybe it shows that he is different from Tom dear? Maybe the fact that he is able to show the humor, to have fun, maybe that sort of foreshadows that he is able to feel remorse as well when he is old and in prizon? Am I making sense here?

Zara:
Sure, but I would propose another purpose this serves. We learn Albus was somewhat Hermione-like as a boy, only even more brilliant. He bestows his knowledge on classmates, and is loved not only by his teachers,  but the leading intellects of his day, with whom he already corresponds on matters of magical interest.

So perhaps this shows us somewhat, what it was that Albus saw in Gellert in the first place, aside from brains and blond good looks. Albus sounds like someone who could have used a more fun-loving partner, a Ron to Albus's Hermione.