CHAPTER DISCUSSION: PS/SS 7, The Sorting Hat

[jeanine5715]

No: HPFGUIDX 188081

Megan:
If you were being sorted, would you have a discussion with the hat like Harry, or would you go with wherever it wanted to put you?

Jeanine5715:
I would go wherever it put me if I were a Muggle, on the basis that I would know nothing concete about any of them, so could not make a sensible decision. I feel fairly sure about this because that's exactly how it was when I was sorted into a house at my grammar school years ago.
If I were from a wizarding family then I think I would have requested a particular house if I had one in mind based on family knowledge.

Megan:
5. Do you think any of the Weasleys wished they were in a house other than Gryffindor?

Jeanine5715:
No because they would know from older Weasleys that Gryffindor pupils appear to be favoured by DD.

Megan:
If you had the banquet of your choice magically appear in front of you, what would it include?

Jeanine5715:
Red wine, salad and dark chocolate

Megan:
What did you think of Neville's account of his family's concern that he wasn't magical?

Jeanine5715:
I felt sorry for him that it seemed to overshadow any other family feelings towards him.

Megan:
The first time you read the chapter, what did you think was happening when Harry had the pain in his scar while looking at Snape and Quirrell?

Jeanine5715:
I thought it was coincidence, meant to mislead the reader; that if there were any outside influence cauasing the scar to react, it was coming from elsewhere.

Megan:
What was your first impression of Dumbledore? Aside from the fact that we learn so much more about him as the series goes on, do you think that the "few words" and the way he introduces the school song are typical of him.

Jeanine5715:
My first impression of him was that he was a bit of a buffoon. Or perhaps had a very high opinion of himself.

Megan:
How does the Gryffindor common room compare to the atmosphere at the school you attended?

Jeanine5715:
Much of Hogwarts was very similar to the school I attended - sorting into houses, uniform, rules strictly observed, great respect towards teaching staff. The common room engendered a house feeling,house members spent much of their free time together - this was different for me at school where we made friemds across houses, although there was still a strong house loyalty when competing for various cups and awards. When Neville stands up to Harry, this reflected my school experience of the feeling against another pupil who let the house down and cost the house points.