Chapter Discussion Chamber of Secrets Ch. 7 Mudbloods and Murmurs

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 188919



--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Geoff" <gbannister10 at ...> wrote:
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><SNIP of the summary>


Questions.

1: What was your impression of Colin Creevey when he first appeared? Why do you
think that JKR decided to introduce his character?

Alla:

To show how little Harry likes his celebrity status I think. I always found Colin to be extremely annoying, the equivalent of RL paparazzi and when I was rereading this chapter, I found myself to be annoyed all over again. I was especially annoyed when he asks to hold Ron down, who is throwing up slugs. Boy I wanted to smack this kid across the head and hard.

Yeah, I know he died heroically. Still do not like him.

2: Can you explain Oliver Wood's apparent obsession with Quidditch, way even
beyond keen players like Ron?

Alla:

Heee, well sports fans like him do exist, and I am sure fanatical players like him do exist too, but having said that, I always found his obsession to be sort of endearing, which is strange for me.

I mean when he mentions defeat last year, he is described as if this was still torturing him. I don't know, somebody who has such passion about his hobby or future profession has my sympathy.



3: Did you find it unfair that the Slytherin team were given permission to
practice when Gryffindor have already booked the pitch?


Alla:

Of course, but it is not like I expect Snape to be fair to Gryffindors, so when I was rereading it today, I was like oh, just another moment of what he usually does. I wish Gryffindors went and indeed complained to Minerva and boy I would loved to see a catfight between them.


4: Does it surprise you that Fred wasn't sure whether Draco was a Malfoy bearing
in mind that he and Harry already had track records of dislike from the previous
year?


Alla:

Hm, well actually I just reread the chapter and to me it felt more like Fred was just double checking, like he was sure that this is Draco, but since he may not have had personal encounters with him he wanted to be doubly sure.


5: Do you think that Hermione was perhaps biased and unfair in suggesting that
money rather than talent got Draco onto the Slytherin team. Surely he must have
had some aptitude?

Alla:

Actually yes, I do. I dislike Draco as you know, but I am thinking that surely Quidditch team wanted to win and would not take a completely hopeless one?

However, however, I do not think she was that biased either, it is not like it is that unusual in RL for sponsor of the team or the event to get in somebody who they want to be there. I do not mean that it happens on professional level, or more like I have not read about it, but in the kids teams? Pay money and you can play even if you have no ability whatsoever, right?

So what I am trying to say is that I am thinking that he has some ability, but the money played a part of him getting on, IMO of course.


7: What do you believe prompted Gilderoy Lockhart to press for Harry's detention
to be served with him?

Alla:

Gilderoy thinks he would become even more prominent celebrity when he is associated with another celebrity, IMO.


8: Why do you think that only Harry could hear the disembodied voice?

Alla:

Is this a trick question? :)  No seriously what am I missing besides Harry being a Parseltongue?

Thanks for the excellent questions Geoff!