CHAPTER DISCUSSION: PS/SS 13, Nicolas Flamel

[njeri]

No: HPFGUIDX 188518

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CHAPTER DISCUSSION: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone/Philosopher's Stone,
Chapter Thirteen, Nicolas Flamel


The Christmas holidays have ended, and classes are back in session at Hogwarts.  Harry cannot forget what he'd seen in the mirror of Erised, and has been having recurring nightmares as a result.
The Gryffindor Quidditch team gears up for what turns out  to be a very important one exciting game. If Gryffindor wins the match, they would advance ahead of Slytherin in the house championship. To the team's surprise, Snape is refereeing the Gryffindor/Hufflepuff match.
Neville is bullied by Malfoy who binds his legs together using the Leg-Locker curse. After casting the counter-curse, Hermione encourages Neville to stand up to Malfoy.  In empathy, Harry gives Neville his last Chocolate Frog. Neville gives the Chocolate Frog trading card to Harry, who collects them. The inscription on the Dumbledore card states that Nicholas Flamel is the maker of the Philosopher's Stone! With this discovery, the friends are one step closer to their goal.
Harry cannot seem to avoid Snape in the days leading up to the match. He wonders if Snape is following him. The Quidditch game draws a large crowd, including Dumbledore. Harry captures the Golden Snitch in less than 5 minutes, and Gryffindor wins the match.  After the game, Harry notices a hooded Snape headed into the forest. He follows on his broomstick to see Snape engaged in a tense conversation with Quirrell. From the snippet of conversation he overheard, Harry understands that Severus is waiting for Quirrel to develop magic that will allow someone to get past Hagrid's beast.
Harry returns to Gryffindor quarters where a victory party is taking place. He hurries Ron and Hermione into a room where he tells them everything he learned on this recent adventure. There must be other things guarding the Philosopher's stone
 With Quirrell being the only obstacle between Snape and the Philosopher's stone, is there any hope?

Questions:
1.    Reflect on the role of dreams in Harry's maturation as a wizard. How have they helped and/or hindered his development?
2.    Why did Snape referee the Quidditch game? And why might he have seemed angrier than usual before the match?
3.    Why is Hermione's advice to Neville (to confront Malfoy), and Neville's subsequent action critical to the HP series?
4.    Speculate as to whether there may be numerological significance to Nicolas and Perenelle's ages (665 & 658, respectively).  [Interesting: Perennial, Continuing without cessation or intermission; perpetual; unceasing; never failing. [1913 Webster]
5.    In the forest, Snape says to Quirrell: "You don't want me as your enemy, Quirrell." What did you make of this statement on your first read? Given what we know of Snape, has the significance of this statement changed?
6. Please feel free to add your own question here.

Best regards,
Njeri


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