[Josephine]

Okay I’ve been slacking. But I am going to respond. This chapter is really the foundations of the series. It bonds the three together for the rest of their lives. Who knew that Ron insulting Hermione and then the two going to save her would bond all three forever!

Why do you think Hermione can be a haughty know-it-all?

My opinion is Hermione is obviously smart. She is the type of smart that knows how to study and enjoys it. I’ve known many “gifted” classmates in school who got straight As but never lifted a book and then did horribly in college because they had no study skills. But Hermione seems to have that combination of both natural intelligence and the aptitude for seeing out information.

I think, firstly, she loves knowledge for knowledge sake. She just loves learning. But I think another part though is she’s a frightened girl. She probably retreated to her books as a young child because she didn’t fit in. A huge reason for that could be her unknown magic at the time. I wonder how magic manifested itself at a young age with her. We see with Harry he grew his hair out, was able to get away from Dudley’s bullying, etc. But for Hermione, we really have no idea. She was odd to her peers so leaned on her books. She’s used to being bright and going into this new environment she naturally goes back to the coping mechanisms she’s already cultivated…study, study, study.

It’s just a cycle that keeps going. She doesn’t have many friends because she’s odd, so she studies and reads, which makes her stand out in class and an oddball which leads to no friends.

Would you have been friends with Hermione at school?

I know you all are probably going to say right away that I would be friends with Hermione, but I don’t know. I wasn’t in the gifted/smart clique in my grade at school. I don’t know why, but I just never got along with most of them. I got As and Bs and the occassional C,(I did better at University than in High School) but I was mostly friends with the normal aptitude kids or the slackers. That said I did graduate high school with high honors, so maybe I was a Hermione and my friends were more Ron and Harry speed, who knows. Maybe you need that balance. When I got to college it was a different story. Most of the people in my programs were there to learn and especially grad school we all worked to help each other. Totally different atmosphere than high school.

Do you think Hermione, Harry and Ron still would have become friends if there had never been a troll incident?

I’m going to say yes. Not getting into the whole fate vs. free will vs. destiny, but I think somehow those three would have bonded over one adventure or another. If it wasn’t the troll it would have been something else. A three legged stool will always be stable on an uneven surface. Harry, Ron and Hermione are that three legged stool. Each has their job and purpose. You take one away and it all falls over. So for the story to go forward and succeed all three were needed for the tasks ahead.

Which Quidditch position would you want to play?

Can I pick the position Hermione played? The supporter in the stands who cheers as the others fly around? I’m deathly afraid of heights (and falling) so I probably would never be into actually playing Quidditch, but I would be a fervent supporter. 😉

[Josephine]

I made a hat from Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince movie. It’s Hermione’s hat and it turned out great. The brim in the picture is actually a bit narrower. I had it stretched out before snapping a pic. It turned out beautifully…the only problem is it turned out smaller than I expected. I’m usually not this far off but I have having trouble finding a decrease I liked and went off pattern.

RG, love your stuff. I really like the couch afghan. Those colors are great together.

Keeper of Rumplestiltskin's and Neal's spears and war paint and crystal ball.

[Josephine]

What do you think Neville’s forgotten that prompts his grandmother to send him Remembrall? And why is Draco so intent on having it?

Neville forgets everything, including the password. It’s not suprising it lit up immediately. I really need a Remembrall for myself. I was struck by the description as it being the size of a large marble. In the movie, it’s more the size of baseball. It makes even more sense that it was shown to foreshadow his future success at Quidditch since a Snitch is the size of a walnut. As for why Draco is so intent on having it? He sees weakness in Neville and knows he can bully him and the Remembrall is a prop for showing other kids how he’s the dominant on in his herd…I mean house. 😛

Why do you think Hermione goes along with the boys, instead of alerting a teacher?

This is an interesting question. She states that she wants to make sure the boys don’t get into trouble and lose house points, but I think RG is on the right track. She doesn’t seem to be bonding with her dorm mates and only person she really talks positively about is Percy, a brother Ron wants to avoid and authority figure everyone else wants to avoid. She’s interacting with peers even if it’s not in a positive way.

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?

I have no idea. Draco rules his class. They all know the Malfoy’s history and all the purebloods, as we see in later books, stick together, much like the gentry/aristocracy/royals did throughout history. I’m sure there are Slytherins who keep to themselves and don’t want to antagonize some of the bigger pureblood families but then there will be plenty of others that fully approve of Draco’s actions.

Keeper of Rumplestiltskin's and Neal's spears and war paint and crystal ball.

[Josephine]

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.

Keeper of Rumplestiltskin's and Neal's spears and war paint and crystal ball.

[Josephine]

Chapter 8: The Potion’s Master

Summary:

With the sorting completed, the students at Hogwarts are thrown into classes the very next day. Harry is a bit celebrity among students. While he is concentrating on just finding his classes, they are concentrated on him. It takes he and Ron a week to finally not get lost in the vast castle. Moving stairs, strange passageways, and Peeves make navigating the school difficult.

Despite being scared that he would be way behind the other students, Harry is relieved to realize that he is no farther behind than any other students. He soon finds out there is more to magic than waving his wand around. He studies the planets at midnight in a tower, has Herbology in a greenhouse, and an extremely boring ghost for a professor in History of Magic. Charms is taught by a tiny wizard who has to stand on books, while he has Transfiguration with his strict head-of-house, Professor McGonagall.

The last class of the week was the one most students counted as their least favorite, Potions. Head of Slytherin House, Professor Snape was know to favor his own students while terrifying most others. He begins class by taking role, singling out Harry as a “celebrity” when he reaches his name. He then lectures on the delicacy and complexness of Potion making then immediately starts throwing questions at Harry. When Harry admits to not knowing any of the answers, Snape deducts a point. When they later begin brewing a potion, Harry is deducted yet another point when his neighbor’s cauldron is melted from a mishap. Snape blames Harry for not helping, despite not knowing anymore, himself. Harry is upset that he lost two points in one class and wonders why Snape hates him so much, but Ron tries to convince him that Snape just hates everyone.

With the afternoon free after Potions, Harry and Ron visit Hagrid at his hut for the first time. Hagrid’s massive boarhound greets them but is more baby than beast. Harry introduces Hagrid to Ron, who immediately recognizes him as a Weasley. They talk about their week but when Harry describes how much Snape appears to hate him, Hagrid unsuccessfully tries to reassure Harry that Snape has no reason to and quickly changes the subject back to Ron’s family. It’s then that Harry notices a newspaper clipping on the table about a break in at Gringotts. Reading the article, Harry realizes it happened the same day he was there with Hagrid. He mentioned it to Hagrid, who grunts and offers him another rock cake. Harry, though, begins to piece things together and suspects that the vault that had the attempted break-in was also the one Hagrid had emptied earlier in the day.

Analysis:

Ordinary vs. Extraordinary
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.

This dichotomy applies to Harry, himself. While Harry is treated like a celebrity by the other students it soon becomes apparent that he is as much an ordinary student as anyone else. He has no hidden insight or extraordinary abilities than any of his peers and finds classes more complicated than he’d first imagined.

“There was a lot more to magic, as Harry quickly found out, than waving your wand and saying a few funny words.”

–SS, p. 133

Harry is really no different than any other students, other than the fact that everyone knew his name.

The Potion Master

Professor Snape has issues with Harry Potter. If we learn nothing else, this becomes readily apparent by the end of this chapter. We are introduced to a variety of teachers at Hogwarts but here we are finally introduced to the one Professor who is the most talked about, dissected, and criticized of the Harry Potter Universe. It started with roll call and went downhill from there:

“Ah, yes,” he said softly, “Harry Potter. Our new–celebrity.”

–SS, p. 136

We are told that Snape favors his own house and we see evidence of this in the very first lesson. He asks questions repeatedly of Harry, ignoring Hermione’s hand in the air, and then takes a house point away when Harry admits to not knowing. He then showers praise on Malfoy for just stirring a cauldron later on when they are brewing their first potion. But it’s when Neville breaks out in boils and is sent to the hospital wing, that Harry gets once again punished. This time for not warning the other table that they’re making their potion wrong, despite Harry just learning himself and having nothing to do either student. All these actions are unfair but brushed off because everyone knows Snape dislikes all students who are not Slytherin.

Snape in some ways isn’t all the different than many teachers we encounter in our academic careers. We’ve all had that one professor or teacher who disliked us no matter how hard we performed. Through no fault of our own we are prejudged and evaluated on conditions out of our hands. It happens in the real world, too. As an educator, I find his methodologies and teaching style unacceptable, an opinion I retained throughout the series despite the revelations that happen in the end.. No matter what you’re opinion, though, it can’t be argued that Severus Snape isn’t a complex, purplexing character.

The Mystery Builds

Harry is intrigued and if there is one thing we learn quickly about this boy wizard is once he gets on an idea he’s like a dog with a bone, unable to let go. It started with a small box, the lone contents of a vault at Gringotts that Hagrid had removed for Professor Dumbledore. The mystery deepens after a visit to Hagrid’s where Harry spies a newspaper article about the Gringotts break-in being the same day he was there. He begins to piece together information and suspects the perpetrators were after whatever Hagrid removed that same day. Questioning Hagrid does nothing and his interest only seems to grow.

Foreshadowing

–Snape’s treatment of Harry

–The mysterious box and even more mysterious contents

Discussion Questions

1. Why is Harry is so interested in the box Hagrid removed from Gringotts?

2. Do you feel, from what we know so far, that Professor Snape is an effective teacher?

Bonus fluff question:

3. What would be your favorite subject at Hogwarts (in First Year)?

Keeper of Rumplestiltskin's and Neal's spears and war paint and crystal ball.

[Josephine]

I have a feeling the dreamcatcher will be reappropriated and assigned a new meaning that pushes CS true love/SQ baiting.

They can’t leave a symbol for us. I’d rather it just never be mentioned ever again.

THIS US WHY WE CAN’T HAVE NICE THINGS.

 

 

 

Keeper of Rumplestiltskin's and Neal's spears and war paint and crystal ball.

[Josephine]

I have to agree with Slurpeez, regarding the sorting and placement of students. And I will say that I was never convinced that the hat was going to put Harry in Slytherin to begin with. Like I posted before, it’s only after Harry brings it up that the hat talks about it. We have no idea what house the hat leaned toward. I will say that in my opinion the hat ruled out putting him Slytherin not necessarily because Harry begged not to be there, but because the very reasons behind Harry’s instance is the reason he would not have been a fit for Slytherin at all. (If that makes any kind of sense). Say for example that Harry is placed in Slytherin, Slytherin helps you succeed, but Harry’s uncomfortableness in that house leads him to not succeed, thus negating the help that house was meant to provide in the first place. Sort of a Catch-22. It all becomes cyclical. No matter what the houses’s goals and ideals are, he would never live up to those ideals where he is not nurtured, respected or comfortable. Therefore, it’s not an acceptable placement. That doesn’t negate the fact that the house is a perfect fit for other students.

This really could go on forever. Thankfully, I should be posting my analysis tomorrow. 😉

Keeper of Rumplestiltskin's and Neal's spears and war paint and crystal ball.

[Josephine]

Harry Potter, under no circumstances, and in no uncertain terms, wants to be in Slytherin House. Apparently this goes against what the Hat wants, because Harry could be great in that house. But by sheer force of will and conviction, Harry pushes the Hat into putting him in Gryffindor, a house that Harry has heard nothing bad about and the house that his first friend, Ron, is hoping to get in to.

I have to point out that at no point does Harry ask to be put into Gryffindor. The only thing he says is “Not Slytherin! Not Slytherin”. The hat didn’t bring up Slytherin at that point, either.

“Hmm,” said a small voice in his ear. “Difficult. Very difficult. Plenty of courage, I see. Not a bad mind either. There’s talent , oh, my goodness, yes–and a nice thirst to prove yourself, now that’s interesting…. So where shall I put you?”

–SS, p. 121

It seems the hat is listing qualities of most of the houses, there, not singling out just one. It’s only after Harry mentions the Slytherin house that the hat plays a bit of Devil’s Advocate with him. Harry doesn’t say to the hat he wants in Gryffindor and it’s the hat who brings it up by shouting out it’s decision in the end.

Questions

1. Do I think the Hogwarts Sorting System if fair? Not really. I admit that the house system was probably my biggest complaint about the series. The first time I read this book I got an odd feeling. I know the reasoning for the sorting, but it never did sit right with me. It reminded of breeding gang-like culture or cult-like behavior.

“The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room.”

–SS, p. 114

It just seems so isolating and like a giant Petri dish for discontent and discrimination. My hope for the future would be that the school would foster more inter-house relations and conviviality. I’m reminded of the end of Dealthy Hallows:

McGonagall had replaced the House tables, but nobody was sitting according to House anymore: All were jumbled together, teachers and pupils, ghosts and parents, centaurs and house-elves, …

–DH, p. 645

I like to imagine that the next generation intermingle more. Branch out and make friends with others in various houses.

2. It’s hard to say if the Hat is ever wrong. As has been mentioned, we are a complex conglomeration of attributes. Any decisions the hat makes can be both criticized and defended. One example is Percy Weasley. (Some of you know of my soft spot for Percy…don’t judge me.) I see all the time on tumblr that posters are complaining he should never have been in Gryffindor. On the surface and throughout the series he has all the characteristics of a Slytherin. Actually, more so than Harry ever did. But he is also brave in his own way which comes to light in the final book. I’m reminded of the quote at the end of this book where Neville is awarded house points for his actions against his friends.

“There are all kinds of courage, said Dumbledore, smiling. It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.”

–SS, p. 306

This, to me, applies to Percy, too. He is ambitious, but he had a set of beliefs that he stood up for despite the ridicule he got from his family. It takes a bit of guts to go against what your family supports, whether they’re right or wrong isn’t the issue. And yes, he put his faith in a system that eventually failed him, but he also had the courage to admit his utter wrongness eat a giant helping of humble pie. It’s hard to admit you’re wrong when you’ve been so staunch in your beliefs. I think his final actions showed he was every bit as much a Gryffindor as any other member of his family.

So the answer to whether the hat is ever wrong, in my opinion, can never truly be answered.

3. Is Harry’s fear of Slytherin justified? Yes, because those are his emotions and feelings. He’s feeling them, not anyone else. And if he’s not comfortable with the situation, then someone tell him differently isn’t going to change anything. Let’s take a personal example. I’ve terrified of flying and yet I have a cousin who flies airplanes and know numerous people who love to fly. No matter what they tell me, or how many statistics they cite, it isn’t going to change my fear or my feelings on the subject. It’s my fear, I’m justified in feeling it. So if Harry is adamant to not be placed in Slytherin, for whatever reason, then that’s his decision.

4. Ooh, a Once character at Hogwarts. Everyone knows I love Belle and Rumple, but I’m not going to tackle either of them. I’m picking Charming and probably going against the grain of where most people would place him (goes back to any house can be justified for placement.) For our David Nolan cum Prince Charming I would place him in… HUFFLEPUFF. Yes, he is brave and wields a mean sword and the obvious choice would be Gryffindor, but I see him as a Hufflepuff.

The Sorting Hat sings:

You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unfraid of toil;

–SS, p. 116

Who is more loyal than the man who constantly blurts out “I will always find you!” Plus, he’s given the villains so many freaking second chances. To me he embodies the spirit of a Hufflepuff.

5. Seamus Finnegan taking so long to sort was a bit surprising to me. I never gave it a second glance the first time I read the series but this time around it stuck out. I was actually pleasantly surprised someone else took note of it, too. It could be the half-blood status, but I don’t know. Wouldn’t Muggle-borns be even more difficult to sort then? It makes me wonder if J. K. Rowling had more in store for Seamus in future installments but was later scrapped.

Keeper of Rumplestiltskin's and Neal's spears and war paint and crystal ball.

[Josephine]

Harry is susceptible, but he’s not stupid. He had a mind, opinions and while we see his abuse, he isn’t extremely damaged like some children would be. Based on his previous interactions with Draco, I still don’t think he would have been friends with him even if confined together for the train ride. He wasn’t too impressed by him in Diagon Alley and that was only a few minutes of conversation. Even before he insulted Hagrid.

If they had sat together and started talking more, I think Draco’s personality would have overwhelmed Harry. He wouldn’t have been comfortable with him. He’s comfortable with Ron because he’s just a clueless and worried about school as Harry is, despite Ron’s growing up with magic.

I just can’t foresee any situation where Harry would have befriended Draco after hearing him talk for awhile.

Keeper of Rumplestiltskin's and Neal's spears and war paint and crystal ball.

[Josephine]

what if they recognized him as Harry Potter? Would they help him then? I…am inclined to say yes but not out of the goodness of their hearts. Harry Potter is, at the least, rumored to be powerful and as we can see from Draco, that family is drawn to that which is powerful.

Ahhh, I forgot about the Harry Potter factor. So the key is IF they’d recognize him. If they did then yes they would toady up to the young boy because like you said they like power. Having an in with a famous person, no matter what the side, would be a wise move. If they didn’t recognize him, then that is a different story.

Keeper of Rumplestiltskin's and Neal's spears and war paint and crystal ball.

[Author]

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