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Charms, I think. I always thought I’d be a Charm sort of girl. No clue why….
We can sit in Charms class together! That’s my choice too, but I do have a reason. It’s because I’m extremely lazy and I’d love to learn all those household charms so my dishes could wash themselves while my laundry is being wrung out and my room is redd up with a flick of a wand. Transfiguration is all well and good if you’re camping and have to turn a rock into a pillow, but I’d rather master Charms.
As for my attitude on Snape. I have a hard time separating his teaching from the man. Actually J. K. Rowling has a quote that is very apropos, which in itself is a paraphrase of some past famous quotes:
If you want to know what a man’s like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.”
–Sirius Black, Goblet of Fire.
With just the little slice we’ve gotten about the man, there is a good bit to discern about Snape’s character. We’re only seeing one side of him currently, through the lens of a child, but it is still hard for me to look at him differently. Yes, we later find out so much more about the man, than we ever realized. He is the “Sydney Carton” of HP. (Something I’ll probably harp on at series end repeatedly 😉 ) But I have to admit that his heroic deeds don’t erase his past sins for me. Much like I’m despising Petunia more and more as I read, I’m interested to see if my opinions of Snape change through the process.
I think it has a lot to do with just being a curious kid. He’s never been allowed to explore his old world, being mostly locked up and kept out of sight. This is a world where he is encouraged to grow and think, to question the unexplained.
This is a very interesting take on it. You’re right. He was repressed from asking anything. So he’s in a new world, away from the Dursley’s suppression. He’s curious and eager to learn everything. This mystery must just be irresistible to the boy, especially considering he was indirectly involved if his suspicions are correct.
[adrotate group="5"]Keeper of Rumplestiltskin's and Neal's spears and war paint and crystal ball.
This first look into the classes of Hogwarts on the surface appears surreal to the reader. We can’t transfigure one object into another or cast charms, but in the world of Harry Potter those things are possible and expected. We soon realize, though, that classes at Hogwarts aren’t all that dissimilar from reality. Once again, Rowling takes the time to parallel the experiences between the magical and the mundane. Hogwarts students might not have science, but they do study astronomy and potion making. Their history might not be about Muggle events but it’s still full of boring events and dry facts that most kids aren’t interested in learning. And finding your classes and adjusting to new teachers is an issue for everyone.
It’s funny I never thought of it this way. I always wondered why Hogwarts students didn’t take more “normal” courses like math or literature, simply because no matter if you’re Muggle or Wizard, these things should come in handy: math, reading, science. But yes, potions taking the place of chemistry, wizard vs muggle history, etc makes sense from a basics perspective.
There’s some very interesting possible foreshadowing in this chapter, and its somewhat well known among Harry Potter fans. Snape asks Harry the following:
“Potter, what would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?”
According to the Victorian language of flowers, asphodel is a type of lily, which means “my regrets follow you to the grave.” Wormwood means “absence” and symbolizes bitter sorrow. Snape was in love with Harry’s mother, Lily, and feels guilty for her demise. So, the possible hidden meaning to Snape’s question could very well mean “I bitterly regret Lily’s death.” Snape’s secret love for Lily was planned by Rowling for a very long time, so this wouldn’t surprise me if this was intentional. In fact, it’s well known that Rowling told Snape’s secret to Alan Rickman way back when he first started playing Snape in the films, and he took advantage of that knowledge in regards to his performance.
Yes! I was going to post this because I saw it on Pinterest ages ago but you beat me to it Matthew Paul. Darn you for beating me.
What would be your favorite subject at Hogwarts (in First Year)?
At 11? Probably Charms. Herbology would never have been my favorite, especially because despite how hard I try, I don’t have a green thumb. As I got older though? Probably History of Magic. Because I’m a huge history lover/nerd and had a really boring teacher like Binns (who might have been a ghost too).
Keeper of the Cheshire Cat’s smile, Baelfire’s sword, Snow’s backpack, Robin Hood’s bow, Ariel’s purse, Ariel’s smile, Henry’s heart, Belle’s shoe collection
1. Why is Harry is so interested in the box Hagrid removed from Gringotts?
The more secretive something is, the more tempted Harry is to find out about it. After all, this entire Wizarding World is a mystery to him. He’s been shielded from the truth for the past 10 years living with the Dursleys.
2. Do you feel, from what we know so far, that Professor Snape is an effective teacher?
I agree with RG. Snape is a terrible teacher. He plays favorites with his Slytherin students, while going out of his way to make things as miserable as possible for Harry and his fellow Gryffindors. I’ve always wondered why hasn’t Harry or any student for that matter ever tried reporting Snape’s actions to Dumbledore. In the real world, abusive behavior towards students could lead to their parents taking actions against the school and its faculty. Could it just be British boarding school culture, where professors are given more free reign in regards to how they treat their pupils? If you have issues with the way your professor treats you, it’s simply tough luck from there? This will become even more relevant once we get to Professor Umbridge in Book 5. Umbridge makes Snape look tame by comparison, in terms of abuse of power over students.
3. What would be your favorite subject at Hogwarts (in First Year)?
Defense Against the Dark Arts would probably be mine. Definitely a useful subject to know, and I’ve always found it fascinating.
Just started the OUAT House sorting discussion in the other thread so it doesn’t derail this thread
All magic comes with a price!
Keeper of FelixProbably History of Magic. Because I’m a huge history lover/nerd and had a really boring teacher like Binns (who might have been a ghost too).
If taught by an interesting and passionate professor, I could see History of Magic being a very intriguing subject. I was fond of my history classes back when I was in school.
With just the little slice we’ve gotten about the man, there is a good bit to discern about Snape’s character. We’re only seeing one side of him currently, through the lens of a child, but it is still hard for me to look at him differently.
Yes exactly. We’re only seeing one side of him now, but the fact remains that he’s being terribly cruel to children. Draco is actually Snape’s exception, not his rule. His rule is to bully and belittle his students, not just Harry. With Harry, he clearly takes a special pleasure in belittling him but it’s an all around bully system from Snape.
I’m actually…disturbed that Dumbledore or McGonagall don’t call him on it. What about the parents? Do they hear about Snape’s treatment of their non-Slytherin children and voice concern?
Does Hogwarts have PTA meetings or the equivalent? If it’s dire enough, then they call (er…”call”) the parents, but when parents receive owls from their kids stating that Professor Snape is doing X, is there no parent that becomes concerned?
(Am I over thinking this? Yes, probably.)
It’s funny I never thought of it this way. I always wondered why Hogwarts students didn’t take more “normal” courses like math or literature, simply because no matter if you’re Muggle or Wizard, these things should come in handy: math, reading, science. But yes, potions taking the place of chemistry, wizard vs muggle history, etc makes sense from a basics perspective.
I recall an interview once with JKR where she said that schooling pre-Hogwarts in magical households was conducted by the family. So things like math and reading and spelling would be on the parent. Which means that by 11 you’re expected to know all the rudimentary things in order to start your magical learning.
As I got older though? Probably History of Magic. Because I’m a huge history lover/nerd and had a really boring teacher like Binns (who might have been a ghost too).
Yes absolutely. I love history as well–actually wish we had more of it in the books themselves, but alas.
The more secretive something is, the more tempted Harry is to find out about it. After all, this entire Wizarding World is a mystery to him. He’s been shielded from the truth for the past 10 years living with the Dursleys.
It’s temptation, you’re right. Temptation follow Harry throughout the series: horcruxes or deathly hallows, for instance.
This is one of the first big ones and it’s that illusive tree-of-knowledge sort of feelings. You have been told not to worry about a thing. So what do you do? You worry about the thing. Why? Because humans are curious by nature. When we are told that something is off limits, out of reach, or none of our concern it instantly becomes something we *have* to know about.
I’ve always wondered why hasn’t Harry or any student for that matter ever tried reporting Snape’s actions to Dumbledore
I see Matt and I are on the same page here.
"He was a lot of things to me" "The only conclusion was love"Discussion Questions
1. Why is Harry is so interested in the box Hagrid removed from Gringotts?
Because he’s Harry? I mean he’s a curious kid. I’d be curious too if Hagrid had removed something secret from a vault the same day it got broken into, and on my birthday no less. That date was seared into Harry’s brain, especially because it was his birthday, not to mention it was his first time anywhere magical. Also, Harry is almost predetermined to seek out trouble both by genetics and by fate. Harry is just like his father, James, who always flouted the rules. Plus, the fate of Harry and Voldemort are intertwined, which is why Harry’s wand shares the same twin core with Voldemort’s wand. Plus, it’s written in the stars, as the centaurs predict. The prophesy means that Harry will go seeking the thing that Voldemort himself seeks. It was just sort of bound to happen for the sake of the story.
2. Do you feel, from what we know so far, that Professor Snape is an effective teacher?
Do I think he’s an effective teacher? No, not based on the way he treats his students. He called his students dunderheads and Neville an idiot boy. Snape ignored knowledgeable students like Hermione Granger, picked on Harry Potter, and showed unfair favor towards Darco Malfoy and the other Slytherin students. That is no way to treat students. It does make me wonder why the wizarding parents don’t object more (I know Hermione’s parents are dentists and wouldn’t know better, but I’d expect the Weasleys to object more).
“You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion-making,” he began. He spoke in barely more than a whisper, but they caught every word — like Professor McGonagall, Snape had the gift of keeping a class silent without effort. “As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic. I don’t expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses. . . . I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death — if you aren’t as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach.”
Rowling, J.K. (2012-03-27). Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (Harry Potter, Book 1) (pp. 136-137).
Snape makes Potions actually sound cool, and if it weren’t for Snape being so vile towards his students, I think Potions would actually be one of my favorite classes (I always loved chemistry). Snape’s extremely intelligent and that he knows his subject — potions — inside and out Yes. He may wish to teach the dark arts, but he clearly has a love and admiration for potions — which is clearly where he excelled in school himself. Being as gifted as he is, however, he lacks the patience to teach novices. If there had been a university of wizardry and witchcraft beyond age 17, I’d say that Snape would’ve made a good professor to very advanced students. However, I think he resents having to teach students whom he perceives as untalented. I’m surprised Snape doesn’t pay more attention to Hermione in the beginning. However, I’m not sure he had the right temperament to be a teacher. Perhaps it’s his bitterness over not being able to teach the dark arts and not getting to marry the love of his life that makes him lash out. Snape couldn’t stand to look at Harry, who is the spitting image of Harry’s dad, James Potter, with the exception of Harry’s green eyes, which remind Snape of Lily’s eyes.
Bonus fluff question: 3. What would be your favorite subject at Hogwarts (in First Year)?
Transfirguration, by far. Not only is it some of the most complex and dangerous magic at Hogwarts, but it’s jut so cool. I would definitely seek to become an animagus like Minerva McGonagall.
"That’s how you know you’ve really got a home. When you leave it, there’s this feeling that you can’t shake. You just miss it." Neal Cassidy
Snape makes Potions actually sound cool, and if it weren’t for Snape being so vile towards his students,
He does make it sound cool. But all we ever see of Snape teaching Potions is him more or less telling the kids to follow the book and then yells at them when they get it wrong. Part of me wonders if he’s not better at his job because his heart isn’t really in it, despite the very cool sounding speech he gives here in the beginning. Yes, I think you’re right that he’s bored or doesn’t want to teach youngsters just starting out, but like you point out Hermione is the elephant in the room in this scenario.
ETA: the real test, I suppose, will be comparing his potion teaching to his DADA teaching style
"He was a lot of things to me" "The only conclusion was love"Chapter 9: The Midnight duel
“But people only die in proper duels, you know, with real wizards. The most you and Malfoy’ll be able to do is send sparks at each other. Neither of you knows enough magic to do any real damage.”
Summary:
It is the second week of classes, and Harry is dismayed to find out that flying lessons will be shared with Slytherin House. Because he has not yet learned to fly, Harry knows he will be ridiculed by Draco Malfoy, who has been boasting about his skills on a broomstick (along with all the other first year boys).
At breakfast Neville receives a Remembrall (a device to help him remember things) from his grandmother, and Draco attempts to steal it. At the flying lesson, Neville falls off his broom, injuring himself. Madame Hooch takes him to the hospital wing, ordering everyone else to remain on the ground. Spotting Neville’s dropped Remembrall, Draco grabs it and takes off on his broom to place it in a tree for Neville to fetch later. Harry flies after him, and discovers that he has a natural talent for flying on a broomstick. After Harry confronts him, Draco hurls the Remembrall away, but Harry dives and catches it mid-air, just inches above the ground. He is immediately caught by Professor McGonagall, who has been watching from her office. She drags him away, apparently in disgrace, but to his surprise introduces him to the Gryffindor Quidditch team captain, Oliver Wood, and says Harry will be the new Seeker for the team.
Later, Draco challenges him to a Wizard’s Duel in the trophy room at midnight. Harry accepts, and Ron volunteers to be his second. As Harry and Ron sneak out later that night, they are followed by Neville and Hermione, who were both locked out of the Gryffindor common room (and both Harry and Ron are annoyed that they are tagging along). Reaching the trophy room, they hear Filch approaching. They realize that Draco never intended to show up, but instead informed Filch that students would be there after hours. The students run off, evade Peeves the Poltergeist, and dive unwittingly into the forbidden third-floor corridor. They evade Filch, but soon realize their hiding place is occupied by a huge, ferocious three-headed dog. They escape back to the common room, where Hermione mentions that the dog was atop a trap door, apparently guarding something. Harry concludes the dog must be guarding the same package Hagrid retrieved from Gringott’s Bank.
ANALYSIS:
“I hope you’re pleased with yourselves. We could all have been killed – or worse, expelled. Now if you don’t mind, I’m going to bed.”
In his second week at school, Harry is still worried at every step that everyone will find out he’s an fraud. It’s natural that he would feel a little displaced, especially after 11 years of never being told he was good at anything. He’s in a brand new school, learning things he has no experience with, and he feels like everyone, even muggle-born Hermione, is catching on a bit quicker than him. So imagine how he felt, in that one moment when he stepped on a broom, and he was actually REALLY GOOD at it. So good in fact, that instead of getting into trouble for disobeying a teacher, he is given a coveted position on the Quidditch team as a first year, the youngest one in a century. He also finds out that Professor McGonagall knew Harry’s father, who was also an excellent Quidditch player. It’s the first of many things we will find Harry has in common with his father.
Side note: Something I always find amusing every time I reread, is Professor McGonagall’s sheer enthusiasm that they finally have a chance to beat Slytherin, and her obvious love of the game. According to Pottermore, “she played for the Gryffindor team in her student years but a nasty fall in her final year left her with a concussion, several broken ribs and a lifelong desire to see Slytherin crushed on the Quidditch pitch.”
Harry is also starting to show a tendency to break the rules, (which is surprising considering how worried he is that he’ll be expelled at any given moment), and he will continue to do so throughout the series. He ignores Madame Hooch’s command to stay on the ground, and sneaks out after curfew to “duel” with Draco. But I think it’s important to note that his disregard for authority is never motivated by rebellion or to simply be mischievous; he always has a good, even noble, reason for his actions. He’s trying to get Neville’s Remembrall back, and he needs to “uphold his honor” by meeting Draco for their fight. He has a tendency to trust his own judgement instead of following the rules (or listening to Hermione), and he’s willing to stand up to darker forces and defend the “weak”. What I find surprising (and a little unbelievable to be honest), is that Harry is rarely punished, and often rewarded for his behavior, which probably doesn’t help his rebellious ways. And even when he is punished, it never seems to prevent him from doing what he thinks is right, even if to his own detriment.
The wizard’s duel also tells us a lot about our characters and sheds a light on traits that we will see them exhibit again and again over the series. Draco feels humiliated that Harry has bested him (and escaped punishment), and must have his revenge, but being unwilling to risk consequences himself, he sets Harry up. His cowardice is apparent even at an early age. Harry shows courage and integrity, but also a rash and impulsive nature. Ron, also, shows bravery and loyalty by offering to be Harry’s second and going with him to the trophy room, before he even knows what he’s getting into. Hermione goes along with the boys, despite her protests, but she is willing to help them get out of whatever scrape they get into. And even though Ron and Harry may not want her to tag along, she proves immensely helpful. She not only is able to unlock the door to the third-floor corridor for them to hide, but she also is the only one that notices that the 3-headed dog is actually guarding a trap door. From this small tid bit of information, Harry is able to deduct that this must be where the package from vault 713 is being hidden.
POSSIBLE FORESHADOWING:
When Draco is forced to choose a second, he chooses Crabbe instead of Goyle. Does this imply he thinks Crabbe is the more powerful of the two?
Draco and Harry’s duel: Will they ever get a chance to go through with it?
DISCUSSION POINTS:
What do you think Neville’s forgotten that prompts his grandmother to send him a Remembrall? And why is Draco so intent on having it?
Why do you think Hermione goes along with the boys, instead of alerting a teacher?
Would a Slytherin describe Draco’s manipulation of Harry (luring him into a trap) by drawing on his brash tendencies as a clever strategic move worthy of celebrating?
Keeper of the Cheshire Cat’s smile, Baelfire’s sword, Snow’s backpack, Robin Hood’s bow, Ariel’s purse, Ariel’s smile, Henry’s heart, Belle’s shoe collection
Thanks for the write up Macy! I know you’re under the weather so it’s appreciated!
This is another nice slice of life chapter but it also help establish that the animosity between Harry and Draco isn’t going away anytime soon. Harry now considers Draco worse than Dudley. I wonder: does everyone agree that Draco is worse?
So imagine how he felt, in that one moment when he stepped on a broom, and he was actually REALLY GOOD at it.
Harry Potter, the boy who was constantly told he was good for nothing and good at nothing, is surprisingly good at something. It’s like the Dursley’s couldn’t see him as a person he became a “nothing” for want of a better term.
He also finds out that Professor McGonagall knew Harry’s father, who was also an excellent Quidditch player. It’s the first of many things we will find Harry has in common with his father.
I’m often surprised that none of the Professors ever took the time to sit Harry down and tell him about James and Lily–what they were like in school, their favorite subjects, the sort of trouble they might have gotten into. I know it’s largely because PLOT (JKR answers those questions slowly over the course of the series through various means) but I’ve just wondered why Hagrid, even, didn’t try to flesh out Harry’s parents more.
But I think it’s important to note that his disregard for authority is never motivated by rebellion or to simply be mischievous; he always has a good, even noble, reason for his actions.
#HeroArchetype
What I find surprising (and a little unbelievable to be honest), is that Harry is rarely punished, and often rewarded for his behavior, which probably doesn’t help his rebellious ways. And even when he is punished, it never seems to prevent him from doing what he thinks is right, even if to his own detriment.
Does anyone else wonder if Dumbledore told the Professors to go easy on Harry? That they couldn’t outright expel him? Or they couldn’t give him a punishment that would put him in danger or would lessen his ability to learn?
the 3-headed dog is actually guarding a trap door.
Hello Cerberus. Okay, his name isn’t really Cerberus, but it’s Cerberus nonetheless. I’ll mention this again as we get closer to the final chapters in the book but I just want to mention it now more or less in passing.
Cerberus is the Greek mythic dog who guards the entrance to the Greek Underworld. What is Cerberus standing on in this Harry Potter Universe? A trap door…that goes down.
Harry Potter (and friends) get ready for your katabasis. It’s coming. Until then, I’ll remain silent because I actually get to do that chapter!
What do you think Neville’s forgotten that prompts his grandmother to send him a Remembrall? And why is Draco so intent on having it?
As to the first part, I don’t know. Maybe homework? Maybe his Gran just knows that Neville is super forgetful and bound to forget some of his studies.
Draco wants it because Draco is a miserable little boy. Ugh, I’ll unpack that because while true, it’s also not strictly fair. Draco is largely a product of his environment where he has been spoiled and taught that as a Malfoy, he is better than everyone else. He has a superiority complex and I think it’s likely that he doesn’t want to fail in front of anyone. His constant challenging to Harry in various wizard tasks–flying, dueling–are to show everyone (and himself) that he’s better. However, I have to wonder if it’s not 90% bravado and Draco is actually just as insecure as Harry.
Why do you think Hermione goes along with the boys, instead of alerting a teacher?
Oh because she’s trying to forge a connection with them. I’ll be analyzing Hermione quite a bit in the next chapter, so I’ll save most of my answer for then if that’s okay. 🙂
Would a Slytherin describe Draco’s manipulation of Harry (luring him into a trap) by drawing on his brash tendencies as a clever strategic move worthy of celebrating?
Oh my that’s a good question. We’re back to that idea that people in houses can be reduced to some set of characteristics. I think, as it does with everything else, it depends on the person and who they are at their core. Some might disapprove of Draco’s manipulation, though they may stay silent for fear that Draco turns his attentions on them. Anyone who wants Draco’s favor (we hear about all the sweets and presents he gets from home) would applaud him though.
"He was a lot of things to me" "The only conclusion was love"
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