CHAPTER DISCUSSION: PS/SS 4, The Keeper of the Keys

[jelly92784]

No: HPFGUIDX 187849

CHAPTER DISCUSSION: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer Stone/Philosopher Stone
Chapter  Four, The Keeper of the Keys
 
1. "Suppose the mystery is why You-Know-Who never tried to get 'em on his side before... probably knew they were too close ter Dumbledore ter want anythin' ter do with dark side" -p.55. Is this quote a case of Hagrid not being well informed or a case of JKR have not deciding that Voldemort tried to recruit Lily and James just yet?

I have a couple comments on this one.  First, did Voldemort try to recruit Lily and James?  I don't remember hearing about that anywhere.  Second, I think this *is* a case of Hagrid being misinformed.  He doesn't know about the prophecy, he doesn't know that Voldemort went to Godric's Hollow in order to kill Harry.  Without that knowledge, assuming that he was after Lily and James would be the logical explanation, especially for someone who seems to think that Lily and James were the best of people and wizards.
 
 
2. As the way to convince Harry that he is truly a wizard, Hagrid reminds him about the things that had been happening around him when he is angry or upset.  We know that what Dursleys did upset Harry a great deal. Why haven't his accidental magic kicked in and harmed the Dursleys at least a little bit?

This is an interesting question, I hadn't really thought about it before, but I think the explanation is simple.  Harry's magic acts up to protect him, not to harm others.  Flying up to the roof, regrowing his hair: these were things that kept him from physical and emotional harm.  Perhaps this demonstrates the nature of Harry's (good) character, perhaps others' (such as Tom Riddle) magic would act up to harm others.


3. In the beginning of this chapter Hagrid introduces himself as Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts. At the end of the chapter he tells Harry that Dumbledore let him stay in Hogwarts as **gamekeeper**.  Is it a typo? Is it supposed to be **gatekeeper**?
If it is not a typo, could somebody explain to me how *keeper of the keys and grounds* is the same thing as *gamekeeper*? Thanks.

I think these are two separate titles that Hagrid holds, although they do tie together.  Hagrid cares for the grounds of Hogwarts, including the animals(game).  What always confused me was the "keys" part.  We never really see him dealing with any keys (Filch has a big ring of them), so what is the basis for that title?

 
4. In this chapter Hagrid tells Harry "real" version of his parents' death and Harry's encounter with Voldemort. In light of DH we of course know that this version at best can be called incomplete. Do you think that this "reader's digest" version that Hagrid delivers is what the majority of WW population knew about that night? Do you think this version is delivered only for Harry's benefit and Hagrid (and maybe some other people, I am not talking here about Dumbledore) knew at least some more details?

Looking back at what Hagrid said, I would actually say that it's a pretty accurate description of what happened.  I remember reading the scene in DH and being slightly disappointed that nothing really happened we didn't already know about (i.e., it was, in fact, James' voice...).  The only thing that Hagrid gets wrong is why Voldemort was there in the first place.  Hagrid admits that he doesn't know, and suggests that Voldemort probably either wanted to recruit Lily and James or get them out of the way.  My guess is that this is the extent of the knowledge of the rest of the wizarding world.  I might even venture to say that Hagrid is probably the reason that they know even this much (he does tend to talk...).  Dumbledore and Snape, of course, knew the truth.


5. Do you believe Hagrid when he acts angry about Dursleys not telling Harry what was in that letter?

I do believe Hagrid.  I think that he honestly didn't know that Harry didn't know anything about Hogwarts or the Wizarding World.  It makes me wonder what the conversation between Hagrid and Dumbledore, when Dumbledore sent him on this mission, was like.  Did Dumbledore know that Harry didn't know?  Probably not.  

Also, Hagrid seems to know what was in that letter Dumbledore left- or at least he assumes that he knows what was in it.  What did Dumbledore tell him about it, if anything?  What was in that letter?!


6. Harry's invitation letter says that Hogwarts expects his owl no later than July 31. Do you think it was possible for Harry to refuse the invitation if he so desired?

I think that if he had decided to say no, Hagrid would first have tried to talk him into it, and if that didn't work, I think Dumbledore himself would have intervened to make sure that Harry attended Hogwarts.

My Questions:

7. When Vernon is telling Hagrid that Harry's not going to Hogwarts, it's not until Hagrid mentions Dumbledore that he really explodes and starts YELLING.  What does Vernon know about Dumbledore?  

8. Hagrid asks Harry not to mention the magic that he did at Hogwarts.  Why isn't Harry at all suspicious of Hagrid?  Why is he so quick to trust someone he just met who's already asking him to keep secrets?
 

Thanks for the questions- this is fun!
Janelle