Chapter Discussion: Chapter Fifteen, Goblet of Fire: Beauxbatons and Durmstrang

[Geoff]

No: HPFGUIDX 192225

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, Shelley <k12listmomma at ...> wrote:

> On 9/24/2012 7:58 PM, rtbthw_mom wrote:
> > As to how the ship travelled from Durmstrang to Hogwarts, I pictured 
> > them as having travelled underground through underground water 
> > reservoirs, and then, like a submarine, raising to surface level when 
> > they arrived at the lake by Hogwarts. Just offering up an alternative 
> > way that they may have traveled, since JKR did leave it to our 
> > imaginations!

Shelley:
> I see the waterways connected by magic the same way that the MOM 
> connected the fireplaces, only set up Internationally.
 
> The fireplaces were never explained either, except that they were 
> "magically connected" and that connections could be shut off by the 
> powers-that-be when they wanted to. It's magic- the "how" is mostly 
> assumed.

Geoff:
This throws up a lot of questions. I suspect, that if the truth be known,
JKR didn't put a lot of thought into this - it was just a gimmicky way of 
getting Durmstrang (and Beauxbatons with their coach) to Hogwarts and 
perhaps amuse the reader.

But, tossing a few thoughts into the arena: why did Durmstrang choose 
what appeared to be an ancient type of boat? Why keep one anyway -  
how often did a large group of students leave the school and need 
transport like this? Again. since the school is apparently in the colder 
part of Eastern Europe, how near to a decent stretch of water are they?

I can see an element of theatre in Beauxbatons' use of the coach. Madame 
Maxine is a larger than life character - and I don't mean just physically(!) 
who likes attention and by her clothes  and style expects a lavish life style.
I get the impression that she had a close and warm relationship with her 
flock.

Whether Karkaroff was as vain is perhaps open to question but when he 
arrived, the description of his clothes in comparison to the students might
suggest the same and Krum's somewhat disgruntled remark at the end of 
the book (pp. 628/29 UK edition) which I quoted a post or so ago suggests 
that he was not high in the popularity stakes among his students.

But perhaps this can only remain in the field of speculation.