CHAPTER DISCUSSION: Prisoner of Azkaban Chapter 4: The Leaky Cauldron

[Joey Smiley]

No: HPFGUIDX 189481

> 1. Percy seems to have no sense of humor. Did you feel sorry for Percy at any
> point or just accept that he deserves to be teased?

Joey:

I think that he doesn't *deserve* to be *teased* but he can be asked to tone down when he becomes a bit too bossy.
 
> 2. Why does Crookshanks attack Scabbers on sight? Does he sense Scabbers is
> evil or just that he is not a rat?

Joey:

>From what Sirius says about the cat, Crookshanks seems to have sensed both!
 
> 3. Is the conflict between Scabbers and Crookshanks meant to reflect the
> conflict between Ron and Hermione?

Joey:

I always thought of it as just yet another point of disagreement for Ron and Hermione.
 
> 4. Harry, we are led to believe, has plenty of money and could afford anything
> he wants. Why is he so frugal? Is his frugality meant to be a sign of virtue,
> a good example to the readers?

Joey:

I think it is a good virtue and that too for a 13 year old. He has seen poverty and has realized the importance of being wise when it comes to spending money. All said and done, he is still an orphan even in the WW, at this point. So, I think it was pretty wise of him not to have been reckless in buying so costly a broomstick. Yet he is not too stingy - he does spend to have a good time with his friends.
 
> 5. Did you agree with Mr. Weasley that Harry should be told about Black's
> motives?

Joey:

Yeah. Harry has been quite curious and trouble-inviting in the past.
 
> 6. Did you notice the strange fact that Scabbers was much too long-lived? What
> did you think it meant?

Joey:

Actually, the sudden focus on Scabbers did intrigue me till Lupin was introduced. The clue for Animagus was in PS/SS with McGonagall turning into a cat but I never applied the concept to the ever-snoozing "Scabbers." 

I find it is quite odd that Scabbers' health remained quite normal when he was around Quirrell, when entire Hogwarts was stunned by a series of Petrifications and when the Trio was discussing them all. Had some clue been given at those junctures I might not have been this surprised, I suppose.
 
> 7. The guards at Azkaban are mentioned again along with the information that DD
> doesn't like them. What did you think they were at this point?

Joey:

No change in imagination. My curiosity intensified. That's all.
 
Thanks, Nikkalmati, for the nice summary and questions!

Cheers,
~Joey :-)