CHAPTER DISCUSSION: COS 14, Cornelius Fudge

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 189166

With apologies for delay here is chapter 14 guys :) and if anybody wants to volunteer for Prisoner of Azkaban, the e-mail address is at the bottom of this post, there are plenty unclaimed chapters left.

Zara, thank you, thank you and thank you again for your help.

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CHAPTER DISCUSSION: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Chapter 14: Cornelius Fudge.

In this chapter, Harry informs Ron and Hermione that in the memories from Riddle diary, it looked as if Hagrid opened Chamber of Secrets. After a brief discussion Trio decide not to talk to Hagrid about it, though they do change their minds later.
 
We learn that the Mandrakes already had a wild party and as soon as they will start moving into each other's pots they will be fully mature. Madame Pomfrey hopes that people can be unpetrified soon thereafter.
 
Harry discovers that Riddle diary was stolen from him. Since it was taken from his room only a fellow Gryffindor could have done that.
 
Harry hears the "Kill" voice again and Hermione runs to the library to check something she thinks she understood.
 
Wood works his team to prepare for the match against the Hufflepuffs. However, the match is cancelled right as it starts, because of two more attacks. The victims are Penelope Clearwater and Hermione Granger.
 
Ron and Harry decide to visit Hagrid after all. They end up witnessing Cornelius Fudge announcing to Hagrid that he is being taken to Azkaban, and Lucius Malfoy announcing to Dumbledore that he is being suspended by order of the Board of Governors.

1.	I am pretty sure JKR was going for comic effect with the Mandrakes, but when I was rereading this chapter I found myself strangely disturbed by imagining young wizards and witches cutting the parts of the beings that seem so humanlike in their behavior. What part of the Mandrakes is being used in the potion? Are they going to be really and most sincerely dead before or during the process?
 
2.	"Travels with Trolls" is one of the items Harry finds on his bed after the villain who stole the diary went through his trunk. What was the reason for Lockhart to assign it as one of the books for class, what did you think he was hoping students will learn from that book? 
3.	What was your first impression of Cornelius Fudge?
 
4.	 I know it will come as no surprise to anybody but I found myself if not sympathizing with Lucius Malfoy (his tone showed to me that he had little if any concerns about the plight of Muggleborns), but at least definitely cheering him on and hoping in vain that somebody in the later books had guts to act decisively and throw Dumbledore out of school for good. Did you think that Board of Governors provided effective checks and balances to Dumbledore's powers?
5.	If you remember your first reaction, did you believe that Hagrid was guilty?

6.	 What did you think about Hermione being a victim? Was it a clue for you that  the monster target Muggleborns? Was Hermione rash in her actions and put herself at risk? Did readers worry how Ron and Harry would manage without her? Why do we think Rowling wanted them to manage without her?

7.	Who did you think stole the diary from Harry? Was Ginny among the suspects?

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