Chapter Discussion: Chapter Seventeen, Goblet of Fire: The Four Champions

[sherriola]

No: HPFGUIDX 192262

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Summary:
The chapter opens with Harry sitting stunned in his place at the Gryffindor
table, following his name coming out of the Goblet of Fire. The Great Hall
is buzzing with reactions. Then McGonagall goes to whisper something to
Dumbledore, and he calls Harry's name, telling him to come up to the head
table. Once Harry reaches him, Dumbledore directs him to follow where the
previous students went. Harry joins Cedric, fleur and Viktor, saying
nothing. He's still shocked, not knowing how his name got into the goblet
and afraid of what this means. Still, he's sure that at least Ron and
Hermione will believe that he had nothing to do with it.

Soon, the adults come in. Bagman is excited, Maxime and Karkaroff are angry,
Dumbledore and McGonagall are concerned, Snape sneering and Crouch is
flustered and moody almost calm. They argue about Harry's name coming out of
the Goblet, with Maxime and Karkaroff furious that Hogwarts has two
champions. Dumbledore asks Harry if he put his name in or had an older
student do it and accepts Harry's word when he said he didn't. Hot words and
threats of leaving are exchanged. Snape declares that of course Potter found
a way to sneak his name in, and Moody points out that the person with the
most reason to complain is Harry. But in the end, as it's pointed out that
the students all must compete due to the magical contract, tempers settle
for the time being. 
Mr. Crouch gives the four champions their instruction regarding the first
task, and the students are dismissed. Dumbledore invites the adults to join
him for a night cap, but everyone declines except Bagman. Mr. Crouch seems
unwell.
Harry and Cedric leave together, and before they part to go to their
separate houses, Cedric asks Harry how he got his name in the Goblet. He
doesn't believe Harry's denial. Harry is sure nobody will believe him except
for Ron and Hermione.
When Harry reaches his own common room, there is a huge party going on.
Nobody seems to want to listen to what Harry says, and nobody seems to
notice that he is the one person at the party who isn't excited. Neither Ron
or Hermione are present. Eventually, Harry is able to escape to his room.
There he gets the second shock of the night when he discovers that just like
everyone else, Ron believes he put his name in the Goblet and is angry about
it, thinking Harry should have told him how to do it too.
The chapter ends
with the two boys going to bed angry with each other, shutting their
curtains around their beds.

Questions:

Most of my questions seem to be about the adult characters. We have the main
players together in one room, reacting to the events of the evening, getting
a closer look at them all. In so many ways, the groundwork for future
actions is begun right here.

1. What do you think McGonagall whispered to Dumbledore?

2. Do you think that any of the students believed Harry did not put his name
in the Goblet?

3. What was your impression of the three other champions at this point?

4. There is a magical contract that forces any student whose name comes out
of the goblet to compete in the tournament, however, we are never told what
the terms of this contract might be. Speculate: what do you think the
contract entails? What if Harry had loving guardians, how would they react
to his participation, be it James/Lily or Sirius?

5. The Wizarding world doesn't seem to have the same attitudes about
children as the Muggle world. Of course, the three other participants are of
legal age, but does Harry being forced to participate seem like another
indication of the WW's more lax or open sort of attitudes? An example of
this attitude could be that even in first year, Astronomy classes were held
at midnight, a time when most eleven-year-olds in our world would be asleep.
Can you think of other examples?

6. Do you think Dumbledore used Legilimency on Harry when he asked him about
putting his name in the Goblet? If you do, how do you feel about him doing
so?

7. Did you think there was anything strange going on with Crouch after
reading this chapter?

8. Knowing the overall outcome of the saga, in particular Snape's loyalties
and motives, do you think he really believed Harry put his name in the
goblet, or was this just part of his act? And if you think he did really
believe Harry did it, do you think he truly believes Harry could outwit
Dumbledore's protections against underage wizards entering the tournament?

9. During the adult confrontations, Moody seems to be one of the most calm,
apparently thinking only of what this might mean for Harry. Looking back,
did you have any suspicions of Moody at this point?

10. Knowing Harry, one of the most devastating things to happen was most
likely the way Ron behaved. What did you think about Ron's reactions? Did
you expect him to feel the way he did? Did you think he'd get over this
quickly? That it might last a while? That it might end their friendship? 

Please add any other questions or thoughts you might have?

Sherry


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