CHAPTER DISCUSSION Chamber of Secrets Ch. 4, At Flourish and Blotts

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CHAPTER DISCUSSION: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Chapter 4: At Flourish and Blotts.

The chapter begins with Harry enjoying wizarding life with the Weasleys. Ginny is embarrassed whenever she sees Harry. The children receive their book list and plan to go to Diagon Alley to buy supplies the same day that Hermione will be there. Harry overhears the Weasleys' concerns about finances. 

Harry gets to use the Floo transport for the first time and gets lost in Borgin and Burkes. He notices a number of weird items on the shelves, but before he can leave, Draco and his father show up. He hides in a large cabinet, but does not close the door. Mr. Malfoy is trying to sell some of his dark objects while Draco complains about Harry and Hermione and views the items for sale. He particularly wants a severed human hand. When the Malfoys leave, Harry slips out, but does not know where he is. He is accosted by an ugly witch. Just at that time, Hagrid shows up and takes him back to Diagon Alley. He tells Harry Knockturn Alley is a dodgy place. Harry asks why Hagrid was there and he says he wanted to buy Flesh Eating Slug Repellent.

Harry and Hagrid meet Hermione and the Weasleys, who are delighted to see he is safe, and they go into Gringotts. Hermione's parents are there. Harry and the Weasleys take the goblin transport to their vaults. Harry is embarrassed again because the Weasleys have very little, while he has piles of goblin gold. The characters all split up to shop, but meet later at Flourish and Blotts to buy books. Harry is publicly embarrassed by Gilderoy Lockhart who is signing his latest book for his fans. He insists on having his picture taken with Harry for the Prophet, gives Harry a set of his works (all of which are required reading at Hogwarts this year) and announces he is the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. 

On the way out Harry is accosted by the Malfoys who insult him and the Weasleys. Mr. Malfoy picks up one of Ginny's books and sneers at its condition. Mr. Weasley and Mr. Malfoy exchange words and Arthur Weasely attacks Mr. Malfoy. Hagrid breads up the fight and Mr. Malfoy returns Ginny's book. Everyone leaves for their respective destinations.


1.This chapter appears to be just a transition between Harry's time at the Dursleys and Hogwarts, but it is in fact a vital chapter in terms of characters, the wizarding world, and the overall plot. How many places, characters, practices, and things of interest are we introduced to in this chapter?

2. Do you believe Hagrid was looking for Flesh Eating Slug Repellant in Knockturn Alley? 

3. What could have happened to Harry, if Hagrid had not happened by at that time?

4. Would Harry have vanished, if he had closed the door on the cabinet?

5. Why didn't the second year students have to buy more than the one spell book and the books for DADA?

6. Is Harry right that his goblin gold would not be useful in the Muggle world?

7.  Hagrid says at the end of the chapter that the Malfoys are rotten to the core, the whole family, "bad blood, that's what it is".  This is the first time we hear about blood in the WW.  What does Hagrid mean?  Does he think evil character can be inherited?  Is this a common opinion in the WW?  How does it fit in with other uses of blood in the series?
 

Please feel free to add pertinent questions.

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Next Chapter Discussion, Chapter 5, The Whomping Willow, on January 31, 2010.

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