Chapter Discussion: Prisoner of Azkaban Chapter 17: Cat, Rat and Dog

[likesblackcats]

No: HPFGUIDX 190258

1. When the dog attacked the group, what were your thoughts about
where it had come from and what it was? For example, did your mind
return to the Grim?

Even though Crookshanks could see it, I thought it *was* a Grim. Thinking about this in hindsight, I was either just really silly or I was assuming that animals in the wizarding world were more in tune with magical phenomena that wizards themselves. (I've always liked animals...) Then again, I was still in primary school at the time, plus I've never been very good at going behind mysteries to clear them up before the author reveals it. I guess I was just going along for the ride.

2. Did you assume that it was attempting to get at Harry? If that
was the case, what was your reaction that, after Ron pushed Harry aside, it then apparently focussed its attack on him instead?

I did assume that it was trying to get at Harry, because let's face it, the books are not entitled "Ronald Weasley and the Something of Somethings". I just thought it had dragged off the wrong person in all the kerfuffle.

3. Crookshanks pushed the knot on the trunk of the tree which
caused its flailing to stop. What were your thoughts at that
point about Crookshanks and his actions? Accidental? More to the
Kneazle than meets the eye?

I definitely did *not* think that Crookshanks' actions were accidental. I mean, even Harry realises that Crookshanks is in league with the dog...

4. In the Shrieking Shack, the dog is then revealed to be Sirius
Black. Had any sort of possibility like this crossed your mind
previously?

I'm going to seem like a real idiot, but I never even entertained the possibility! And there was all that mention of Animagi earlier in the book, too...

5. Many of Sirius' actions and words at the outset still seemed
to indicate that he was after Harry. Do you think that he took a
very great risk to himself in increasing that perception by
saying to Harry "Going to kill me?". If so, why did he behave in
this way? Would Harry have really attempted to do this if
Crookshanks had not intervened?

I think he did. Harry was truly furious and not exactly in control of himself. Going after Black with his *fists* when Black was holding two wands, I ask you... but Harry raised his wand to hurt Sirius before Sirius actually said that. I think Harry would have continued, and perhaps even managed to hurt Sirius. I don't think Sirius was under the impression that Harry was helpless to do anything (I mean, look at the contrast with Bellatrix Lestrange later in the series). Why do I think Sirius said it? I think his sense of humour had become rather warped and bitter in Azkaban. I think he found the *irony* amusing that here he was trying to save Harry's life, and Harry hates him and is trying to kill him! I really like Sirius, but he is just a little... deranged...

6. To me, this is the most interesting chapter in the whole book
because there are so many questions answered, so many puzzles
resolved and, as a result, so many pieces of the jigsaw fall into
place. Would you agree and, if so, what was for you the most
illuminating information that was revealed?

I adored this chapter. I reached the sudden twist that "Sirius is innocent and the real villain is disguised as Ron's rat" and... I don't know... I was instantly completely hooked. I mean, Black as the villain worked well enough, but finding out so dramatically that for the entire book I had been completely and utterly *wrong* about him was amazing. But I think the strongest feeling was that of fear for Sirius. I found out he was innocent and instantly started worrying - I remembered Hagrid's comment that innocence didn't matter to the Dementors, and I remembered Lupin's explanation of the Dementor's Kiss... I wasn't as optimistic as Harry; I didn't think Sirius would get out alive, let alone be cleared. I thought it would be too easy if it was a happily-ever-after-no-more-Dursleys deveolpment.

blackcatnocturne