[HPforGrownups] Re: CHAPTER DISCUSSION PS/SS 6, The Journey from Platform Nine and Three-Quarters

[Rick H. Kennerly]

No: HPFGUIDX 187991

Geoff wrote:
> 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?
>
>   

rick:

but DD wanted Harry to be just like any student from the beginning, and 
the train trip on the Hogwarts Express was a rite of passage, of 
separation from their parents and their old lives.  I'm sure that DD 
would have made other arrangements if Harry hadn't arrived. 

> 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.
 
rick:

But JKR needed some plot device to move the story forward briskly.  
Molly is used by JKR continually as a stream of conscientiousness 
speaker; if Molly doesn't say it, she doesn't think it (like my Mom).  
In fact, her most volcanic moments are after periods when she has to 
keep quiet.  Besides, that's probably a defensive technique for herding 
that many kids and keeping them on track.  But Molly's also useful for 
filling in the background and keeping the story moving.  The other great 
plotting devices are Hermione's constant citing of "Hogwarts, a 
History", to explain (or explain away inconvienient) background stuff, 
like why electricity won't work at Hogwarts, and DD who explains all 
things about dark magic. 

-- 

Rick Kennerly
Virginia Beach, VA
www.mouseherder.com 
<http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=1213141578&ref=name>



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