chapter discussions, SS/PS, chapter 5, Diagon Alley

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 187879

Sherry:
6. Harry and Draco have their first meeting in this chapter. We know that this
is a vital first meeting, affecting both boys for the rest of the series. 
Thinking back to just this moment, without the knowledge you have now, what did
you think of this meeting? How could Harry and or Draco have behaved differently
to change the relationship between them for the future? Could this have
seriously affected events in the future?


Alla:

I cannot remember every detail of what I thought of course, but I do remember quite well that just as Harry did I extremely disliked Draco, still do, heh.  And I do not agree that Draco could not have behaved differently, especially if he sincerely wanted to be Harry's friend. He could have, I don't know, not insult Harry's parents, not to divide wizards and witches "our kind" and not our kind.  And of course we also know that he insulted first friend that Harry had. I don't care if some of his observations were true, really.  But sure, if they had became friends, it could have made for a different story, but to be honest with you, I am grateful every time when I think that author decided not to make them friends. Believe me,  sometimes I love good enemies turned friends stories very much be it romance or just friendship, but not between those two. IMO of course and totally opinion of somebody who cannot stand Draco Malfoy.

7. Harry develops his anti-Slytherin feelings in this chapter, based on Draco's
behavior and Hagrid's line about there not being a witch or wizard who went bad
that wasn't in Slytherin. From POA onward, we know this isn't true. Did you
believe the bad Slytherin theme at this point in the story? Could Hagrid really
not have known that people from all houses could become followers of Voldemort? 
Are there any other instances of misinformation in this chapter?

Alla:

Hm, yes I believed it, I always thought it is a possibility that good Slytherin would emerge, but I never believed that Slytherins would be just all really misunderstood. I always thought that initially this house started with the worse position than other three, just having really bad ideology from the moment of their foundation and this was something they needed to overcome.

As to why Hagrid did not say anything about people from other houses going bad, well I have no idea, but this is one of the reason why I cannot just accept Hagrid as never telling a lie, etc. Because here he is at least guilty of lying by omission.


8. Over dinner, Harry expresses his fears and insecurity to Hagrid, worrying
about what people will expect of him. What does this say about Harry?

Alla:

Oh that told me that Snape was an arrogant bastard, heh. I know, question was not about Snape, but every time when that bastard was running his mouth insulting Harry about him wanting to be new celebrity in this book I would think of that scene and just think oh shut up you bastard who thinks he figured this child out and in reality knows nothing and just thinks what he wants to think

Great questions, Sherry!