a couple of details and Cedric Diggory

[Catlady (Rita Prince]

No: HPFGUIDX 189693

Carol asked me in <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/189643>:

<< If he later "disrespects" Sirius (and I'm not sure what you have in mind here), it may be because Sirius wasn't a true Black in that he was Sorted into Gryffindor. Can you cite the passage you have in mind to help us out here? >>

I recall noticing that Draco disrespected Sirius, but I don't remember what Draco was saying or doing when I noticed it. I might get back to you if I find it in a re-read.

Pippin wrote in <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/189651>:

<< Sounds like JKR took some of her ideal qualities and divided them among the Houses: Ravenclaws are smart, Hufflepuffs are kind, and Slytherins have a strong sense of who they are. >>

Are Hufflepuffs kind? For that matter, do Slytherins really have a strong sense of who they are? Draco, who thought he was a killer, but found out otherwise. And Regulus, who thought he was a disciple of the Dark Lord until he found it necessary to give his own life for revenge on the Dark Lord.

Karlijn discussed PoA Chapter 9 in <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/189679> and asked:

<< 7. Quidditch: we also have the first introduction of Cedric Diggory. What – if any – was your impression of him ? >>

To which, Carol replied in <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/189689>:

<< I liked him from the start and was glad to see a gentlemanly Quidditch player (good sportsmanship and Quidditch don't normally go together). I also liked having a handsome, popular Hufflepuff (though I don't think we see those traits until GoF). I thought it was a shame, though, that [Cedric] won the game by accident. Funny how JKR can't let Harry lose a Quidditch match through superior game play. It always has to be through circumstances beyond his control. If the Yankees can lose the playoffs (grumble, grumble), Gryffindor can lose a Quidditch match even when their star Seeker is playing. Let's have a little realism here. >>

In this case, Harry had to lose by freak accident, because if he'd lost in a normal way, Cedric wouldn't have had the opportunity to display his extreme good sportsmanship by wanting a do-over. Should I call it excessive good sportsmanship, considering there is nothing in the rules of Quidditch to allow do-overs?

Bart wrote in <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/189681>:

<< I have stated before that there must be a reason why the birthrate is so low in the WW. Perhaps the part of the nervous system that controls magic is the same as the one which carries sexual desire. >>

Or because contraceptive charms are simple, easy, and well-known.