CHAPTER DISCUSSION PS/SS 10, THE HALLOWEEN

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 188364

 
> Alla:
> > 4. We are told that Ron and Harry do not want to go fight the troll, but feel
> that they have no other choice. What does this say about their characters or any
> characters when thought like this flashes in their minds?

> 
> Alla:
 We can talk about Slytherins thinking up a plan to fight and then fighting as long as their behinds are protected too, but the thing is sometimes there is no time, sometimes there is just no time and if one  goes away to think up a plan to save a person such person could be dead, by the time  plan is ready. I like my friend in the minute of imminent danger to myself to think about saving me first, and I like to think I will do the same thing. 

Potioncat:
What's wrong with having a plan? Yes, there are times---like this one---when there's no time to sit down and plan. But I think a Slytherin would be in the same situation. I don't think he would call out "Hang on while I go make a plan." A Slytherin, or even a more thoughtful Gryffindor would have told a teacher earlier that Hermione was in the girls' toilet and someone should go get her. 

I've always thought that Phineas Nigellus's line "Given a choice a Slytherin will save himself" means just the same thing it means in this case. Ron and Harry had no choice. They certainly wouldn't have taken on the troll if someone wasn't in danger.