CHAPTER DISCUSSION: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Chapter 12: The Pat

[willsonteam]

No: HPFGUIDX 189945

> Questions.
> 
> 1. Harry learning how to produce a Patronus was one of the moments in the book
> when I was so very proud of him. What are your "being proud of Harry" moments?

Potioncat:
I originally hesitated to say I was proud he named his son for Severus, but since others have, I'll admit to it. Clearly, no one else was around to care. Snape is dead, most likely his parents are too. This was one way of keeping a memory of Snape alive. (and of DD, too)

> 
>  2. Why wasn't Harry's happy memory in this chapter enough to produce a
> corporeal Patronus?

Potioncat: As others have said, Harry wanted to hear his parents' voices. Also, it takes more than just a happy memory, though the magic seems to need a particularly strongly happy memory. If the memory itself was enough, more people could cast a Patronus. I think this is one reason Snape teaches a different method of protection from Dementors.


>  3. If Dementor can suck a person's soul from them, does it mean that
> Potterverse does not believe in souls' immortality? If a Dementor dies
> somehow, would the soul be released? Lupin tells Harry that a soul is gone
> forever, lost. Where is it lost in your opinion?

Potioncat: Lots of posts have already offered excellent ideas. I think this also reflects JRK's uncertainties about life after death and of aspects of her faith. (Doubts she's admitted in interviews.)


> 
> 4. What is behind Lupin's asking Harry whether anybody deserves the
> Dementor's kiss? Is he hesitant to believe in Sirius' guilt or he is simply not
> a believer in such punishment? Any other suggestions?

Potioncat: I think Lupin does not believe in this punishment—for the same reasons that other posts have brought up. I agree with Pippin that at this time, he does believe that Black was guilty. Yet Lupin does not think he deserves such a fate—and Lupin was one of the victims of the betrayal.

> 
> 5. Whose side you were on when Harry and Ron and Hermione were at odds if
> anybody's?

Potioncat: I'm a cat person. (no surprise there) I tolerate dogs but I cannot stand any sort of rodent. (even the cute kinds, and rats are not cute.) That said, I thought Hermione showed a severe lack of compassion for Ron. She should have made an effort to restrain Crookshanks---although we all know now that Crookshanks didn't hurt Scabbers.
> 
> 6. Were you suspicious as to how Hermione is getting to all her classes at the
> time?
Potioncat: Rushed right past it myself. Never gave it a thought.

> Merry Christmas to all who celebrates!

Potioncat:
Happy New Year, everyone!