Harry Potter Book Club - Chapter 16 A Very Frosty Christmas- Page 9

[yodamarie78]

Posted: 3/8/06 at 4:15pm

The next chapter goes up tomorrow morning Tiff. As usual if anyone has any burning questions they would like to submit for Chapter 8, PM me. You'll get a little thank you at the bottom of the post and everything.

And while I'm being all administrative, does anyone care if I post chapter 9 on Saturday? I'd like to get back on the track of three chapters a week (for no real reason other than I'm anal about this), but if people feel like they wouldn't have time to comment we can delay and I'll post it on Monday.

Hopefully I'll get my Chapter 7 comments written and up tonight, assuming my brain doesn't completely melt before then.

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 3/8/06 at 5:23pm

Whatever works best for you, Yoda!


(I love this classroom-type setting. I get to be teacher's pet again!)

[yodamarie78]

Posted: 3/8/06 at 9:34pm

Why Tiff thank you for this shiny red apple. Any other opinions?

As usual several others answered better than I could have. Read what they had to say!

Why do you think Hermione, Ron, and Mr. Weasley are all unconcerned about Draco's actions?

Patronus: "Everyone is dismissing it as foolish to think that Draco could be a death eater, which is precisely what makes him dangerous."

Harry muses on what might have changed had Voldemort chosen Neville instead of him. What do you think?

Smartpenguin: "I think it is the idea that were Neville the one who were marked, he might have the ability to do what Harry does that is interesting."

How does Harry's reaction to being seen with Neville and Luna compare to a similar scene in OotP? How does this demonstrate the changes in Harry's character?

Everyone got what I was trying to point out. It's a wonderful quick moment that speaks volumes about how much Harry has grown up since OotP.

Does Harry underestimate Draco?

pndmnd: "he definitely underestimates Draco's intelligence and intuition. The scene with Harry sneaking in Draco's car supports some comments from the last chapter, that Harry is still reckless, and acts impulsively. People know that he has an invisibility cloak, so of course when the door gets stuck and then flings open strongly, Draco is going to be smart enough to suspect that someone is in there. Harry acts as if Draco is completely clueless, and he definitely isn't. Someone that manipulative is smart, in a coniving way"

[yodamarie78]

Posted: 3/8/06 at 11:22pm

Upon reflection I realized that practically nothing happens in Chapter 8. So I'm posting it now with just two questions to ponder and Friday morning we'll move on to Chapter 9. Anyone who misses the Chapter 8 discussion as result, feel free to throw in your answers over the weekend.

Chapter 8 Snape Victorious

Tonks rescues Harry from the train and walks him back up to the castle gates. Although she sends a message ahead to Hagrid, Snape appears to escort Harry the rest of the way. Harry joins the feast, still covered in blood and in his Muggle clothes. Dumbledore announces that Professor Slughorn has joined the staff as Potions master and Snape will be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher.

*Discussion Questions*

Snape says that he received the message Tonks sent because Hagrid was late to the feast. Do you think there’s more to it than that?

What was your initial reaction to learning that Snape will be the Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher?

Thank you to Smartpenguin78 for his help with the questions.

[Overthemoon6]

Posted: 3/9/06 at 12:17am

Snape says that he received the message Tonks sent because Hagrid was late to the feast. Do you think there’s more to it than that?

It is possible that Malfoy could have somehow tipped Snape off that Harry wasn't following the rest of them, but this seems doubtful. Malfoy wouldn't exactly want to tell a teacher, even one who hates Harry, that he broke another student's nose. I think, when Snape didn't see Harry get off the train, that he was waiting so that he could be the one to take Harry in. I honestly tink that that Snape truly enjoys heckling Harry without Dumbledore around, which he rarely gets to do (not counting in Potions, where he has to be careful of what he says).

What was your initial reaction to learning that Snape will be the Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher?

Altogether, I wasn't that surprised. The fact that J.K. didn't mention what Slughorn taught, and that it was clearly stated in pretty much every book that Snape wanted the DADA post didn't escape me. I knew it was coming sooner or later.

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 3/9/06 at 12:52am

Snape says that he received the message Tonks sent because Hagrid was late to the feast. Do you think there’s more to it than that?

Not really. I figured it was just so it would beg the question, Where WAS Hagrid? And then seamlessly reintroduce that Grawp is still in the picture?

What was your initial reaction to learning that Snape will be the Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher?

It seemed like it was just a matter of time, so it wasn't a total shocker.

Nothing really to add for this chapter. Like you said, nothing really happens, and I didn't read much foreshadowing in it.

[Overthemoon6]

Posted: 3/9/06 at 2:25am

OMG Tiff.

I love your avatar!!

Danielle Radcliffe is so hot! He and William Moseley are my favorite celebrities my age! The accent makes them so much hotter.

[yodamarie78]

Posted: 3/9/06 at 6:14pm

Snape says that he received the message Tonks sent because Hagrid was late to the feast. Do you think there’s more to it than that?

I really can't decide about this one. The whole thing seems really fishy, but that may just be a small Snape prejudice. Since Hagrid says he was in fact late I guess it's probably just that Snape got the message and couldn't resist a couple of minutes to bait Harry.

What was your initial reaction to learning that Snape will be the Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher?

If I recall correctly my initial thought was, "Already?" I'd kind of figured Snape would get his dream job in book 7.

Just a Reminder Chapter 9 will be up tomorrow morning, but it you miss the Chapter 8 discussion feel free to bring it up over the weekend.

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 3/9/06 at 6:44pm

OTM6, thanks! Oh God, he's the same age as you? And I've got a shirtless photo of him in my avatar? See, NOW I feel like a dirty old man woman...

Can't wait till chapter 9! I'm also hoping to start reading The Historian over the weekend.

[Overthemoon6]

Posted: 3/9/06 at 6:53pm

Well, no, he's older than me. I'm only fourteen, and I think he's something like 16.

But he is fine. When there were those rumors that were circulating awhile ago that he was going to be in Equus (I think it was called), and that he would have to go naked, I nearly started palpitating.

Oh, and if you are a creepy old "woman", then I am a creepy crazed fangirl..

[pndmnd]

Posted: 3/9/06 at 7:19pm

I don't really have anything to add on this one! I don't really think that Snape getting the message was anything big. When he saw that Harry was missing and a message came for Hagrid, who wasn't there, he might have seized his opportunity to torment Harry a little, but I think that's about it. As for Snape becoming the DADA teacher, I'm trying to remember what I thought the first time I read it. I think I kind of figured it, since there was pointedly no mention of Slughorn teaching DADA, but I'm not sure. Looking forward to Chapter 9! Glad we get to stay on a 3-a-week schedule!

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 3/9/06 at 7:24pm

I was totally sure that Slughorn was DADA, I am had no reason but that was what I really assumed. I thought like Yoda that Snape was moving over in Book 7. It was a shock when I realized he was doing it now. Between a chapter being about him already and this he became a much bigger focus for me.

Snape has been the one to catch Harry before, but in context here I think there is a little more to it. I have a feeling it is not Snape tormenting, or anything negative on his part, but rather a positive thing that he answers this message.

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 3/9/06 at 8:06pm

After reading books five and six, I find that when I go back and re-read the entire series, I like Snape more and more.


(BTW, somewhat OT, has anyone watched the special features on the GOF DVD? The featurettes are so much better than the previous 3! And is anyone familiar with these HP trips?

http://www.hpfantrips.com/2006/index.cfm

I'm eyeing "Oxford/Scotland", "London/Scotland" and "Location Location Location" for 2007 (which I assume will either coincide with the HP5 movie release or - better yet - the HP7 book release).

[Overthemoon6]

Posted: 3/9/06 at 8:10pm

I find that I like Hermione more and more.

She and I are tight. We're so alike.

[pndmnd]

Posted: 3/9/06 at 8:11pm

Tiff--They advertised those trips (or some set of trips, I think it was the same ones) at the Imax before GoF. That's all I know about them, though! And I agree, I like Snape more every time I re-read the series. I'm not even sure why, I just do! And I still haven't picked up the DVD, so I'm looking forward to the extras!!

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 3/9/06 at 8:13pm

I am also excited about the extras. I have yet to see them though.

I like Snape more each time too. Although I really liked him from the very begining. He was always my favorite character in the first book.

[Overthemoon6]

Posted: 3/9/06 at 8:13pm

My dad bought it for me!!! I still haven't watched it, but I will.

Oh, and my friend and I decided to declare July 31 official Harry Potter Day.

[pndmnd]

Posted: 3/9/06 at 8:17pm

I had "Get Harry Potter" on my list of things to do today, but it was raining so hard after work that I didn't want to make any extra stops.

Overthemoon--that's funny (about Harry Potter Day), because I will be at a rather fancy bridal shower that day. I wonder how they'd react if I came in a cape with big round glasses on?!

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 3/9/06 at 8:18pm

OTM6, oh, he's 16? Thank God. I thought he was 14 or 15, and I REALLY felt like a pedophile! So there is a 5-ish year gap between us (give or take...3...years).

I've loved Hermione from the start. She and Snape are my favorites (now that Sirius is gone ). I also love watching Jason Isaacs as Lucius Malfoy, as I've said a million times - he's so good at being bad!

pnd, I'm just wondering if it's worth the expense. It's almost $2.5k for a week's trip! The day trips are pretty expensive too, though.

Oh bugger, initially the tentative release date of HP5 was June 2007, and I was hoping to coincide it with my trip and the HP7 release, but now IMDB is saying it's now November 2007. It's okay, the trip is for the HP7 release anyway. *wobbly smile*

Updated On: 3/9/06 at 08:18 PM

[Overthemoon6]

Posted: 3/9/06 at 8:19pm

It's the day that I get back from France. So I will be jetlagged.

But I will still watch all four movies, play Harry Potter Scene It and dress up in my Halloween costume (I was Hermione).

It will be fun.

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 3/9/06 at 8:21pm

Dude, you were Hermione? That's so awesome. I was Harry...a few years ago...(more recently than I'd care to admit)

Make sure you get the 2-disc HP and not the 1-disc! It seems so ridiculous that they're releasing a 1-disc one, when 2-disc has become a standard for the series! How much are they costing in the States? We're paying US$25 for the 2-disc one, or you can get all 8 discs of the last 4 movies for US$50.

[pndmnd]

Posted: 3/9/06 at 8:25pm

Tiff--I'm not really big on the whole, planned-out-tour-trips-with-a-big-group-of-people-thing. I usually do better with my family or friends and going to exactly what we want to go to, and being free to change our plans if we want. So, for me it wouldn't really be worth the cost, but that's because of my travel preferences.

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 3/9/06 at 8:29pm

Yeah, I'm not a fan of planned-out tours, either. I like having the freedom to spend some extra time somewhere or skip things I know I won't be interested in. My main reason for doing the tour would be for convenience of having transportation and access to the different sites, but for the cost, I could spend a couple of weeks in a few different countries on my own instead, or some time in NY on my way there/back. I'm waffling here.

[yodamarie78]

Posted: 3/9/06 at 8:34pm

The tours sound interesting, but like the rest of you I'm not really big on the whole having the trip planned out for me thing. It reminds me too much of school trips.

I think Hermione is my favorite character, at least she's the one I most identify with. I've also always loved Ginny and, although I sometimes hate him, I also love Snape.

So they moved the movie release date to the fall? Hmm, I think we may be seeing at new book in summer of 2007!

[Overthemoon6]

Posted: 3/9/06 at 8:37pm

Sorry Tiff, completely missed your post.

Yea, I think he's 16. Sirius was my favorite character, too. Dumbledore and Hermione are my other favorites.

By the way, Jason Iaasacs has my birthday. I have pics of me as Hermione in my fan photos.

Yes, this was a post of complete and utter randomness, but I don't care.