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

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 187853

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?

Janelle:
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. <SNIP>

Alla:

She said it in the interview, but I cannot find the link, I am pretty positive
though. I can accept this being a case of Hagrid misinformed, but I can also
accept a second possibility, especially since she said it in the interviews. IMO
of course.


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?

Janelle:
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.


Alla:

I really really like your explanation. I am not sure that JKR thought about it,
although I hope she did. I mean, to me Dursleys harmed Harry more than once and
IMO if his magic was to act up, that would be first and foremost for his
protection.

When few years ago we could still madly speculate about the ending, one of the
theories was that Harry dreamt up WW and all his adventures and that the ending
will be that he either wake up in his cupboard (so sad) or wake up in his bed,
and his parents alive etc, less sad but still annoying to me. I hated this
theory, thought it will be an awful cheat and was glad that it did not happen.
However, now when I think about it the fact that Harry's magic did not act up
when he was hurt the most while it did act up when he was stressed less (he
certainly was not happy about his hair) could have been why I was nervous that
it will come true. That this is a dream and nothing bad can happen to Harry's
abusers simply because he cannot really do it. I mean, why had he endured
Harry's hunting? Why his magic did not apparate him away from Dudley and Co?

I suspect this was all for the plot, to make sure Harry will suffer, but I do
not find it awfully consistent. IMO of course.



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.

Geoff:
I think that both descriptions are admissible. As Melissa has pointed
out, as the "Keeper of the Keys", Hagrid is certainly a gatekeeper.

But I think that, as the books unfold, we see his work as being more
to do with the grounds and the Hogwarts environment, their maintenance
and his dealings with the flora and fauna. This, to me, puts his work more
firmly in the direction of being a gamekeeper.


Alla:

Thanks Geoff and to everybody else, who explained. My confusion stemmed from the
fact that I did not know that Keeper of the Grounds means Gamekeeper, if that
makes sense. I guess I did not know the origins of the word Gamekeeper in this
context. To me Gamekeeper is somebody who keeps real games LOL. I definitely
learned something new today!




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?

bboyminn:

I think JKR has answered this. You are not required to go to Hogwarts. I think
parents and prospective students can refuse to go to Hogwarts, and once the
school is clear that they are adamant on that decision, they respect and accept
it. <SNIP>


Alla:

Right, I was not talking about Harry having a legal or customary or whatever
right to decline attending. I know he had this right.

My question was more along the lines whether Dumbledore would allow him to do so
and my answer is resounding No, no way, no how Dumbledore would let Harry slip out of his steel grasp.

I think Dumbledore made absolute sure that declining would not ever enter
Harry's mind. I think he made sure that for poor Harry wizarding world would be
a bright place where he would want to go. And who would not if Dursleys would be
other choice? And who would not if this adorable Hagrid would be the one to
greet Harry and show him kindness? Harry who per JKR's admission craved father's
figure was IMO bound to go where Hagrid will take him. I say Bravo Dumbledore,
really. I think it was a very nice set up to catch Harry and he swallowed it of
course, why would he not.


Alorkin:
Although there are some very good fanfics on that theme, I do not believe
Dumbledore would allow Harry to decline. He has already set events into motion
to lure Voldemort to Hogwarts. (The stone has been kept safe for over six
hundred years. Why would it suddenly be in danger just when Harry was scheduled
to come to Hoggy's? Co-inky-dink? I think not.) If Harry refuses to attend,
his `grand plan', would be scuttled.

Alla:

I agree completely.

Alorkin:
Why was Hagrid sent to collect Harry, instead of someone who actually knew what
they were doing? Aren't there contact specialists? Hermione said Professor
McGonagall came to her house personally.

Alla:

I attempted to answer, I think Dumbledore wanted to send someone Harry will love
right away and will follow anywhere no matter what. Hm, Dumbledore finally
deciding that Harry needs a male father-figure/ friend. I think as long as this
friend worships Dumbledore it will do.

Yeah, I know I am talking about Dumbledore again, lol.

Janelle:
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?

Alla:

IMO simply because Harry would not bother being suspicious, I think he would
have loved anybody who showed him some love and did some Dursleys' putting in
their place. I am not sure if what Hagrid told him truly registered with him.


JMO,

Alla