Chapter Discussion: Chamber of Secrets Chapter 11, The Duelling Club

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 189052



--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "ZaraG" <zgirnius at ...> wrote:
<SNIP summary>

1.	How convincing did you find the evidence presented by the Trio of Draco's
possibly being the "Heir of Slytherin"? (Colin was victimized because Draco was
angry about losing, Lucius must have opened the Chamber in the past, Draco
planned to stay for the holidays, etc.)

Alla:

In retrospect I still think that their conclusions were totally understandable and evidence against Draco by totality of circumstances to be quite convincing. I mean, Draco staying for the holidays by itself means nothing, but Colin was victimized because Draco was angry about losing? Eh totally fits the way I see Draco's character. The bottom line for me is that Draco is loud and clear proclaiming his predictions and desires to see muggleborns dead, even if he speaks primarily to Hermione about it. And that's what Slytherin heir's views were and are. No, I do not find their conclusions silly and I think they had even more reasons to be fooled here than with Snape, IMO of course.



3. What is your opinion of Snape's handling of the incident Harry caused in his
class?

Alla:

Shhhh, I think it was all right. No, seriously, I will always cheer for Trio here not just because I love them, but because to me it was a wonderful example of breaking the rules for higher and noble purpose, HOWEVER Snape behaved like a teacher (oh dear did I say that?) in whose class dangerous accident occur and theft of his ingredients. And OMG he even offered a medical assistance to all students indiscriminately, lol. Something must have messed up with his head, me thinks and he acted under the influence of dangerous substance that made him act like real teacher.

4. Why do you think Draco and "some Slytherins" cheered Snape's success in
disarming Lockhart?

Alla:

Shhhhh again, I did too. Lockhart tends to have this effect on me, heh.

5. With the entire series in hand – why do you think Snape arranged to pair
Harry and Draco to practice in the Duelling Club? Has your opinion changed since
the first time you read the scene? What do you think Snape whispered in Draco's
ear?

Alla:

And of course substance that made him act like real teacher did not stay for too long, lol. I find his handling of the accident to be HORRIFYING, and still do after reading seven books. SO let's imagine that it was a test as Carol suggested on Dumbledore's request. If Snape could so easily vanish the snake, why the heck did not he when snake was about to attack Justin? Would I put it past Dumbledore to pull crap like this, putting another child in danger, while trying to figure something out? No, of course not, after all this is exactly what he did in HBP in my view. However I wonder why Dumbledore would even suspect that Harry could be parselmouth? No, I think it is another accident of Snape wanting to scare and humiliate Harry using Draco as a weapon and getting more than he bargained for.


6. What did you make of the COS revelations (its association with Slytherin and
Dark Wizards) about this talent, before we learned if the soul bit in DH?

Alla:

HA, I remember this well actually, my thought was that since Harry can do it, it can not be completely evil, no matter what everyone else is thinking.

7. In this chapter various characters react to this revelation. Harry fears he
is a descendant of Slytherin. Ernie and other Hufflepuffs discuss this as Harry
eavesdrops. What do you make of these opinions? What does it show us about
Wizard society? Is it trying to tell us anything in particular about
people/life?

Alla:

Yeah, I think it shows us how easily WW society could be influenced by prejudice and gossip, I think this is one of the more brilliant RL parallels actually which was done quite beautifully and not beating me over the head. I mean, all that it took for school to turn on Harry is for him to **speak a different language**, think about it. I mean, that part in a sense hits home with me and painfully so, but I am sure everybody has different associations of this accident.

Thanks for the great questions Zara.