CHAPTER DISCUSSION Chamber of Secrets ch. 1, The Worst Birthday

[Ceridwen]

No: HPFGUIDX 188708

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CHAPTER DISCUSSION:  Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets
Chapter 1: The Worst Birthday

31 July 1992. It is Harry Potter's twelfth birthday and it is shaping up to be the worst birthday for him. Since the end of school the month before he has not heard from his friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. His Uncle Vernon padlocked Hedwig's cage so he has not been able to contact them. All of his magical school supplies are locked in the cupboard under the stairs so he isn't able to do his summer work. Worst of all, his uncle is expecting an important client for dinner so Harry is instructed to stay in his room that night, "making no noise and pretending I'm not there."

Harry is sent outside so Petunia can clean and prepare for the Masons' arrival. Harry rests in the garden where he notices a pair of bright green eyes staring at him from the hedge. Just then, Dudley comes along to taunt Harry that his birthday was forgotten. Harry taunts Dudley with some bogus magical words. Dudley tells Aunt Petunia and Harry is put to work for the rest of the day.

Harry is sent to his room minutes before the Masons arrive. He plans to collapse on his bed but there is already someone there.

1. In this chapter Harry reminds Dudley to say please by asking him to "say the magic word." Vernon goes beyond anger and into CAPSLOCK. Referring to "please" as a "magic word" is common but Vernon doesn't seem to know this. Was he really upset over the use of the word or was it another excuse to yell at Harry?

2. It seems that Harry is always doing the work at the Dursleys' but today Vernon banishes him from the house so Petunia can clean. Why did you think Vernon did this?

3. Harry is bored before he sees the eyes in the bushes. He wishes he could hear from any witch or wizard, even from Draco Malfoy. The chapter ends with someone on Harry's bed. Who did you think it might have been?

4. Who, or what, did you think the eyes in the bushes belonged to?

5. Neither Ron nor Hermione has contacted Harry in a month. Before you found out the reason why they didn't, what did you think?

6. The Dursleys have a valid reason for Petunia's nephew living with them. He has gone to school so it is no secret in the neighborhood. Why would they try and hide Harry from the Masons?

7. Add your own questions or observations.



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Ceridwen Keeley.