CHAPTER DISCUSSION PS/SS 6, The Journey from Platform Nine and Three-Quarters

[Geoff]

No: HPFGUIDX 187943

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CHAPTER DISCUSSION: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone/Sorcerer's Stone

Chapter Six: The Journey from Platform Nine and Three-Quarters

After Harry's day with Hagrid, the Dursleys ignore him for the remainder of the holidays. On 31st August, Vernon agrees to take him to Kings Cross but only because they are taking Dudley to have his tail removed. Once at the station, Harry begins to worry because he cannot finds the platform but meets the Weasleys who help him to the train; the twins assist him with his luggage and recognise him.

After the train leaves, Ron Weasley comes in and introduces himself. When it is confirmed that Harry is indeed who he is, he is rather in awe of him. They exchange information about their families and, In conversation, Harry learns about Chocolate Frogs and the cards and finds a picture of Dumbledore.

Later, Neville comes to the compartment looking for his toad. and returns again in the company of Hermione, who appears to be rather bossy; she is rather patronising to Ron about his spell. They introduce themselves and Hermione shocks Harry by revealing that he is mentioned in wizarding history books and talks about the Houses.

This discussion is interrupted by the entry of Draco Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle.  Draco is rude about the Weasleys and offers to help Harry to make friends, On extending his hand, Harry refuses to take it. Draco is angered and the scene seems set for a confrontation when Scabbers bites Goyle and the three visitors depart.

Hermione returns and Ron tells them both about the Malfoys. After Hermione tries to be bossy, the boys change into their uniforms as the train arrives. 

Hagrid meets the train, leads the First Years to where a small fleet of boats is moored. They embark and are carried across the lake, into an underground harbour below the castle. 

*****

1. Dumbledore seems to have left contact with Harry in the hands of Hagrid. What do you think would have happened if the Dursleys had refused to take Harry to Kings Cross? Was there a Plan B available? Being a special case, would it have made more sense to arrange to take Harry directly to Hogwarts?

2. It seems strange that Harry should just happen to overhear Molly mentioning Muggles and particularly strange that she should ask for the platform number considering that all three of the boys had made at least one previous trip on the Hogwarts Express. Could this be a discreet way of manipulating Harry so that he meets the "right" people on his way who will slant his thinking towards Gryffindor?

3. Suppose Harry had not overheard this conversation? What then? Was there a Plan B here as well?

4. When Hermione first appears, she is described as having a "bossy voice" and she seems to behave in this way when she returns to the compartment after the incident with Malfoy. What was your first impression of Hermione? Did later events confirm this for you or not?

5. At this point in the story, do you see the friendship between Harry, Ron and Hermione taking off as it did later after the troll incident at Hallowe'en? On first reading, how would you have expected things to proceed?

6. What do you think prompted Draco's visit to the compartment? Do you think he genuinely wanted to make a friendly contact with Harry? If not, how do you interpret the contact? If he did want to strike up a relationship, what effect do you consider Harry's rejection had? What long term implications did there seem to be at this point in time? 

This is not intended to be a prescriptive list. If you have questions of your own which you would like to discuss, please include them in your posts.

Geoff

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Next Chapter Discussion, Chapter 7, The Sorting Hat on October 13th.