CHAPTER DISCUSSION PS/SS 11, QUIDDITCH

[pippin_999]

No: HPFGUIDX 188406

 
> 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.

Pippin:
I think the boys perceived her as nicer because she wasn't nagging them any more.  It's tiresome to have someone telling you things you already know all the time. 


> 
> 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?

Pippin:
Hogwarts is a thousand years old. I'd bet there are lots of rules that are no longer enforced. Books were once rare and expensive items and this was probably true even in the WW, so I don't find it hard to imagine that such a rule existed.  

That said, Snape's leg was hurting and  he thinks  that Harry is not only just as arrogant as his father, he is just as insanely good at getting into trouble. Protecting Harry was not going to be a light matter even if  Voldemort never came back to power. I'm not surprised Snape was grouchier than usual. 

> 
> 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].  
> 
> 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?

Pippin:
I think the revelation of Snape's character is central to the series and was planned all the way through. 
 
Ron is always of the "poisonous toadstools don't change their spots" school, while Hermione is reluctant to think the worst. Even when she thinks he's killed Dumbledore, she doesn't want to use the word "evil."

All through the series, Harry is too quick to suspect anyone who treats him badly, and never suspicious of anyone who treats him well, and Ron is just the same. 


> 
> 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?
> 

Pippin:
No idea at all.

Now for my own question. If safety was important to you, would you want your child to play Quidditch?


Pippin