Chapter Discussion: Chapter Fourteen, Goblet of Fire: The Unforgivable Curses

[nikkalmati]

No: HPFGUIDX 192206



--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "annemehr" <annemehr at ...> wrote:
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> 1. In the beginning of class, Crouch!Moody says he'll only be staying for a
> year. We know why Barty Crouch, Jr had no intention of staying any longer. But
> do you think this was originally agreed upon between the real Moody and DD, and
> did that have anything to do with the DADA curse?
> 

Nikkalmati

I suspect that LV's close friends knew about the curse or that DD explained to the real Moody that he would or could only stay one year, then Crouch Jr. extracted that information.  (After all, Crouch had to use some method of gaining information from Moody.  BTW why did Crouch arrive so late to the feast?  He had plenty of time to get ready didn't he?

Nikkalmati 
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> 2. Do you think Crouch!Moody* left the Cruciatus on the second spider too long? 

Nikkalmati

We don't know how long he would have left it, because he stopped when Hermione objected.  Yes, once the curse was demonstrated there was no reason to prolong it.

Nikkalmati
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> Do you remember the impression it made on you on your first reading, if any?
> 

Nikkalmati

I only recall being very disturbed without knowing why I felt that way.  It seemed wrong.

Nikkalmati 
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> 3. Having seen Crouch!Moody demonstrate the Unforgivables in Harry's class, what
> do you think of the Ministry's policy of not showing dark curses to students
> until they're in sixth year, and about DD ignoring that?

Nikkalmati

Well we all know the Ministry knows best.  :) I think DD knew it was a dangerous time and called for radical measures.  He felt it was better for the students to see the curses than to be forced to fight against them unexpectedly.  Besides, he had a ready-made teacher who knew the ropes and he took advantage of it. 

Nikkalmati
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> 4. Harry didn't seem to make anything of Neville's distress after seeing the
> Cruciatus curse. Given his own feelings about Avada Kedavra, do you think he
> should have been more perceptive about Neville, or did he have too much to think
> about on his own account?

Nikkalmati

Boys are not generally that perceptive.  It is not polite to notice other  people's distress.   He also had his own issues to deal with.  He had never seen the AK before and he was reliving his parents' deaths.  I can't blame him for not "reaching out" to Neville.  He was responsive to Hermione's concern about Neville. He did not follow up that night in the dorm however.

Nikkalmati 
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> 5. Some readers have seen truth in Harry and Ron's made-up homework predictions.
> What do you think? Here's the list:
> 
> Monday: Ron -cough; Harry - burns
> 
> Tuesday: Ron - lose a treasured possession (H's idea); Harry - stabbed in back
> by a friend (R's idea)
> 
> Wednesday: Ron - lose a fight; Harry - lose a bet (was going to have a fight,
> but R said it first)
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> 
> Later on: Ron - changes a second drowning to being trampled by a Hippogriff;
> Harry - death by decapitation.

Nikkalmati

I would like to find something, but I don't see it.

Nikkalmati
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> 6. What do you think of the name S.P.E.W. and Hermione sticking with it after
> Harry's and Ron's immediate reactions?


Nikkalmati

Not only doesn't she have a sense of humour, she doesn't see how other people will react.  Just because Ron and Harry are being childish doesn't mean she shoud ignore the obvious mistake she has made.  Very hard for Hermione to admit a mistake. She ought to take them more seriously, but her own enthusiasm carries her away.  I wonder what she was researching so much.  Didn't she get that the elves like their work?  She even sneakily attempts to free them without their consent because she knows best.  

Nikkalmati 
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> 7. Sirius says DD has been reading the signs. What are they? How many can we
> list?

Nikkalmati

I am not sure what Sirius and DD would both know about.  Maybe DD had given Sirius a heads up about his suspicions and asked him to watch Harry.  Sirius would ttrust that DD was keeping up on things.

Nikkalmati
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> Please add any other questions you can think of!

Nikkalmati

Harry thinks Snape is avoiding Moody and is a bit afraid of him.  Do you think that is true and why would Snape be afraid?  We know Crouch does not trust Snape (smart boy); was Moody, the real Moody, aware Snape had been accused as a DE and didn't he think DD was right about Snape?

Nikkalmati
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> Thanks, Annemehr, for the questions.
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