CHAPTER DISCUSSION: Prisoner of Azkaban Chapter 14: Snape's grudge

[jeanine.banthorpe]

No: HPFGUIDX 190064

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CHAPTER DISCUSSION: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Chapter 14: Snape's grudge
Sirius Black is inside Gryffindor Tower. Security is tightened within Hogwarts
but no guard is added to the hidden passageway via the statue of the one-eyed
witch, confirming its existence is not known to the staff. Ron becomes an
overnight celebrity, describing his confrontation with Black.

Neville receives a Howler from his grandmother for his carelessness with the
passwords. Harry and Ron are invited to tea with Hagrid, who wants to tell them
how upset Hermione is at the apparent loss of their friendship. He rebukes them
gently that they value broomsticks and rats more than friendship. They are
chastened to learn that despite her unhappiness, she has helped Hagrid with the
court case against Buckbeak.

On their return to Hogwarts, Hermione asks them not to go to Hogsmeade because
of the danger to Harry from the at-large Black. Later between themselves Harry
and Ron make plans to go, with Harry saying he will use his invisible cloak. The
next morning in Hogsmeade they visit the Post Office, and Zonko's, then wander
to the Shrieking Shack, where almost immediately they hear Malfoy, Crabbe and
Goyle approaching. Malfoy sees Ron and makes an insulting remark about the
Weasleys' lack of money. Harry decides to revenge Ron. Under cover of his
invisibility cloak he throws mud sludge and sticks at the trio and trips Crabbe.
As he trips, Crabbe catches the invisibility cloak and it is dragged from
Harry's head. Malfoy sees the disembodied head, yells and runs away. Ron tells
Harry top get back to Hogwarts quickly before Malfoy has a chance to tell anyone
what he saw.

Harry has just emerged from the statue into the corridor when Snape appears.
Snape tells Harry to go with him, and returns to his chambers. Snape asks Harry
why it is that Malfoy' saw Harry's head at the Shrieking Shack. Harry suggests
that Malfoy is hallucinating. Snape reminds Harry that everyone is trying to
protect Harry from Black, while Harry wilfully carries on doing whatever he
likes without considering the consequences. Snape goes on to make disparaging
remarks about Harry's father, to which Harry responds with anger and says that
Snape owes his life to Harry's father.

In reply Snape reveals that it was Harry's father who put Snape's life in danger
in the first place and that Harry's father was protecting himself as much as
Snape when he decided at the last minute not to go ahead with the prank. He
orders Harry to turn out his pockets and finds the Marauder's Map. He uses a
spell on the parchment to read its contents but instead the parchment insults
him.

Using Floo powder, Snape requests Lupin's help. As Lupin appears, Snape asks for
his opinion of the parchment. Lupin replies that it appears to be a childish
magical joke. At that moment Ron bursts in and says that he had bought various
stuff for Harry from Zonko's. Lupin then takes the map and asks Ron and Harry to
come with him, stating that he wants to talk to them about an essay.

Once they cannot be overheard, Lupin tells Harry that he was both selfish and
stupid to set his own wishes for fun against the efforts of the various people
who have tried and are trying to protect him, including Harry's own parents.
Lupin walks away, taking the Marauder's Map with him. Harry feels chastened. Ron
tells Harry that he shouldn't have encouraged Harry to go to Hogsmeade and that
they were stupid to do it.

They see Hermione approaching. Ron challenges her that she has come to gloat.
However she tells them that she thought they ought to know that Hagrid has
written to her to say that Buckbeak is to be executed.

Questions:
1. Was it fair that Sir Cadogan was sacked when all he did was to allow entry to
someone who had the passwords? Isn't that what passwords are for?
2. Were Harry and Ron extremely foolish and selfish not to reveal the hidden
passageway to Hogwart's staff, especially to Dumbledore?
3. Although Hagrid appears to be talking only of Hermione when he tells the boys
he would have expected that they would value friendship above broomsticks, (the
new Firebolt is what has interested them) is he also subtly suggesting that they
thought more of the Firebolt than of their friendship with him too – in that
they have forgotten the threat to Buckbeak?
4. Even if he is not, what do you think of the boys' attitude to a good friend
when that friend`s need is forgotten or pushed out of mind by a mere new
possession?
5. What do you think of Harry's action in visiting Hogsmeade with Black on the
loose? Do you think that Harry reflects on the consequences of his actions of
that day?
6. Do you think Snape makes the remarks about Harry's father to goad him into
losing his cool and admitting where he has been?
7. Both Snape and Lupin tell Harry he is selfish in going to Hogsmeade when
everyone else is putting themselves out to ensure his safety. Why does Harry
resent hearing this from Snape but feels chastened when he hears it from Lupin?

Jeanine


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