CHAPTER DISCUSSION Chamber of Secrets Ch. 5. The Whomping Willow

[ZaraG]

No: HPFGUIDX 188789

Zara:
Thank you, Alla, for an interesting set of discussion questions!

> 1.  Not only Ron knows that underage wizards can use magic in case of emergency, he quotes the chapter of the law to that effect. Was Molly's home schooling that effective or does Ron really like to study more than we were lead to believe?

Zara:
I credit Molly. <bg>

> 2.  Is Arthur just placating Molly when he agrees not to make car invisible or is he truly afraid of her?

Zara:
He's not afraid of her. 
 
> 3. What was your first impression of Whomping Willow? Did you expect for it to make another appearance in the series?

Zara:
I had no idea it would matter again! But I did think it an amusing addition to the Hogwarts grounds.

> 4. Snape implies that he would like to expel Harry. How can this be reconciled with the commitment to help Dumbledore protect Harry we saw him make in "The Prince's Tale"?

Zara:
It can't. If I were to assume the implied premise of this question, I'd have to, post-DH, conclude that Snape was beside himself with worry and anger over Harry to have sought his expulsion in this scene, though he does not show the signs of that level of emotional upset in the scene.

Instead, what was confirmed for us in DH only affirms to me the view I have held since I joined this group around the publication of HBp. Namely, that Snape has never sought the expulsion of Harry.

> 5. "This was not the first time Snape had given Harry the impression of being able to read minds". We know now that this impression was absolutely correct. If Snape used Legilimency and knew that they indeed could not get through 9 3/4 by regular means, why does he say what he says?

Zara:
Snape did not use Legilimency in this scene, as I read it. Harry thought Snape could read minds, and immediately thereafter saw Snape was holding a newspaper in which Harry's exploit was described. So I think all Snape read in this case was a newspaper. <g>

> 6. What do you think was that "large, slimy something suspended in green liquid on a shelf behind Snape's desk?

Zara:
A rare and repulsive Potions ingredient.

Random question/thought...was Snape's office so cold because it was his habit to leave it so, with the fire out? Or does this indicate he had not been in the office for quite some time?