CHAPTER DISCUSSION: Prisoner of Azkaban Chapter 5: The Dementor

[Mike]

No: HPFGUIDX 189535

> Pippin:
> If you are trying to protect a trainload of children from a mass
> murderer who might kill every single one of them, collywobbles
> might seem a small price to pay. <snip>

Mike:
If protecting the children was the goal, I think someone already suggested the question of why the Dementors weren't at the station, then? Or why they weren't riding on the train from the very beginning? Wait until the train is almost to Hogsmeade and then stop it to have an inspection, rather inept method wouldn't you say? I mean, if the mass murderer *could* have gotten on the train, he'd have had plenty of time to perform many, many murders by the time the Dementors got there.

I don't think protecting the children was the point of the search. I think they were simply out to catch the escaped convict and using the children - and more specifically, Harry - as bait. I don't think the children's welfare was ever taken into consideration in this plan. And even if the person that ordered this search hadn't had any personal experience with Dementors, that doesn't absolve them of callous disregard, in my book. Do you think Ernie the bus driver had personal experience? Because he seemed all too familiar with the effects Dementors have on people. And Ernie doesn't strike as an overly learned person. I would hope a Ministry official in a position to order this search would have been at least as learned as Ernie.


> Pippin:
> Molly can't understand why Dumbledore doesn't want dementors at
> the school. And even Arthur says that if the dementors can protect
> Harry, he'll never say another word against them.

Mike:
Yes, but I rather doubt that either Molly or Arthur would have approved of a search in this fashion. Not with their children aboard the train. But I wouldn't have put this kind of search above someone like Umbridge. 


> Pippin:
> Lupin had chocolate on him...was he forewarned? 

Mike:
I think so. Just another indication that this was planned and not an impromptu choice on the part of the Dementors. But I bet none of the parents were forewarned.

Speaking of Lupin, what the heck had he been doing beforehand that would make him need to sleep for most of the trip? Or was he faking it? He seemed to spring into action pretty darn fast for someone that was so tired.

Mike