[HPforGrownups] Chapter Discussion: Chamber of Secrets Chapter 12, The Polyjuice Potion

[lui ronquillo]

No: HPFGUIDX 189062




Did you think the reference to the healing powers of phoenix tears would
subsequently prove important?
luirhys: Rowling is very good at dropping seemingly unimportant clues that takes us by surprise by the end of the book. The reference of the properties of phoenix tears would prove important in time when Harry takes a stand against Riddle. Was it not mentioned here and only referenced by Dumbledore after Harry saves Ginny, all of us would go- "that's not true!!" instead of us going, "Aha! I think I've read that before." With us then trying to find that bit of foreshadowing.

Why does Harry not confide in Dumbledore?
luirhys: I think you can find this kind of behavior in most teenagers. They do not trust adults that readily yet want to be considered one themselves. Harry himself does not want Dumbledore to think of him like the others do- meaning, deranged or crazy, or probably the heir of slytherin.

Do you think that Harry believes he knows better than anyone else?
luirhys: Harry has been known to want to work by himself (if only to save the people he loves from harm). This does not mean he thinks he is above them though. As the series progresses, we see him generally warming up to the idea of having people there stand by him. 

Would Harry have got anywhere in his attempt to hoodwink Malfoy without
Hermione's help, knowledge and hard work?
luirhys: Probably not. Even if Snape did mention the Polyjuice potion in class, he or Ron would never have made the connection of using it to spy on Malfoy. Not to mention that they wouldn't have succeeded brewing it without Hermione's help.

What reason did you come up with as to why, after all her efforts with the
polyjuice potion, with producing the drugged cakes and obtaining the larger
robes Harry and Ron would need when reincarnated as Crabbe and Goyle, Hermione
apparently decided not to go with the boys?

luirhys: Before her telling the truth, I thought it was some insecurity with her turning into Bulstrode.


Why do you think Hogwarts students of any one house are apparently not allowed
to know the password to the other houses' common rooms?
luirhys: I would thinks it's all to do with privacy and camaraderie. Your house is seen as your family while you are at school, so it would also seem given that you would respect the secrets it holds. 

If Harry and Ron could see that the polyjuice potion was wearing off, why could
not Malfoy see it too?
luirhys: Since he did not know about Harry and Ron being polyjuiced as his 'goons' it would be fair to say that he was not looking for any outward and obvious sign that they are anybody else. He might've bought the excuse that they weren't feeling well.

How likely did you think it was that Madam Pomfrey would not ask "too many
questions" when a student turns up having been transformed into an animal? Would
she not at least have approached Minerva McGonagall who was the expert in
transformation? The only other way we're told of, to transform someone, is
Polyjuice Potion. This involves restricted ingredients. Wouldn't it be Madam
Pomfrey's duty to follow this up?
luirhys: I believe Hermione, being as clever as she is, would've thought of a different excuse to tell her. Probably something to do with someone cursing her or a hex gone wrong. After all, we see Dudley in the first book with a pig's tail. As we know, it was failed hex. 

Hermione could've just refused to say who her attacker was and tell Madam Pomfrey it was someone jealous of her or something. Which could explain why Madam Pomfrey was concerned about her and took to closing her curtains.

Even if Madam Pomfrey would have been a tad suspicious about this,  her expertise is in healing so she wouldn't have automatically thought of polyjuice potion. And she wouldn't have connected her ailment with this.

_ 

 


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