Saturday, June 18, 2011

The Deathly Hallows Discussion: Chapters 6-10

With Moody's death dawning on Harry, he sets his mind to go looking for the Horcurxes without wasting any minute for Voldemort is surely going to get stronger. He goes into a conversation with Ron and Hermione in which they insist on accompanying him through his journey. He feels that they don't understand the dangerous choice they're making but Ron shows him the measures he took. He leads him upto the attic where a ghoul is residing there in pajamas. Ron says that Fred & George have transformed it so that when they're off to their hunt he'll be in Ron's bed and if anyone comes looking for him, they'll be afraid to get near as the Spattergroit's really contagious. On the other hand, Hermione have used the Obliviate spell (Memory Charm) on her parents and now they have no idea of her existence and they're off on a holiday in Australia. If this shows anything, it only tells Harry how keen his friends are to help him find these Horcruxes and destroy them. Meanwhile, Harry's been staying at the Burrow in preparation of Bill & Fleur's wedding. Mrs. Weasley knows so little of their plan of not attending Hogwarts next year and planning to do something else, hence she tries her best to give them separate chores 'in the hopes of delaying their departure', as Ginny said.

Then comes Harry's birthday which Mrs. Weasely have taken the trouble to celebrate given that the next day happens to be the day of the wedding. Harry's cake flies to him in the shape of a snitch and while they're at it, Mr. Weasley's patronus announces the arrival of Scrigmour, Minister of Magic. He asks to have a private talk with Harry, Ron and Hermione and that's when they first hear of Albus Dumbledore’s will. He left Ron a Deluminator, Hermione’s a book of The Tales of Beedle The Bard. Harry gets his snitch, the one he caught at his first Quidditch match and the Sword of Godric Gryfindor which the Minister says it's gone missing. The fact that it had taken these possessions a month to be passed on after Dumbledore's death sparks the curiosity of the trio. Hermione asks the Minister if they've searched the objects, if they think Dumbledore might have passed Dark objects but Scrigmour replies by saying that they should all be working together. Harry though furiously states that he doesn't agree with his methods.

They gather around that night to discuss what Dumbledore left them. What could a Deluminator be used for other than switching and bringing back the lights? And how could this help them? What about the Tales of Beedle The Bard? Most importantly, how can Dumbledore pass the snitch to Harry when it wont even open?

We're then brought to the wedding where the tents have been set up and the Weasley's relatives fill in the place. Fleur enters and silence falls over the crowd. It was so magical that I liked it when Rowling described it: "And once Fleur reached him, Bill did not look as though he had ever met Fenrir Greyback".

However, a curious Auntie Muriel stirs up a burning feeling in Harry while he is chatting with Doge, Dumbledore’s old friend. She talks of her admiration towards Rita Skeeter and that she can't wait to read what she have dug of Albus' past. Harry finds himself half-believing what she's saying: that Dumbledore did not care about his Squib of a sister and preferred to show his talents and skills at Hogwarts, that his mother locked up Ariana for the fear of being a disgrace to the family, which, alternatively lead to her death. On the day of her funeral, Aberforth hit Dumbledore and broke his nose..

With all these new information to digest, let alone grasp the truth or the false accusations, a Patronus announces the death of the Minister and the fall of Ministry of Magic. Immediately, Harry and Ron Disapparate with the help of Hermione to Tottenham Court Road. Then they go to Grimmauld Place, Sirius’ house. That day, Harry’s scar hurts him. It blinds his eyes and as Rowling put it “the rage that didn’t belong to him posses his soul”

Wandering around through the house early the next morning alone, Harry enters his Godfathers’ room for the first time, it’s plastered with large Gryffindor banners and the faded colours of scarlet and gold, “just to underline his difference from all the rest of the Slytherin family”. He finds a letter and reads it. It is a letter his mother Lily had sent to Sirius on Harry’s first birthday. There is also a picture attached to it: Harry zooming in and out of the picture on a tiny broom. You could see the rush of emotions going on inside of Harry after reading Lily’s letter, it feels good knowing that his mother was talking about him. Him, Harry, her son..



Harry stops in his tracks the moment his eyes set on Regulus' Black bedroom door. He finally knows what R.A.B stands for. Regulus Arcturus Black so in the hopes of finding the real locket, they search the room but only later do they realise that indeed there was a Locket two years back that Kreacher took away. Heading towards Kreacher's cupboard, Harry summons the house-elf and demands to know the full story. Kreacher explains: Voldemort wanted a house-elf and Regulus kindly volunteered to give him his. Voldemort and Kreacher went to a cave near a lake.. Harry remembers this so well for he had been there with Dumbledore. Kreacher recollects what's it like being in that dark cave with all the Inferi. He says that Voldemort made him drink the potion in the basin and hid the real locket inside, the real Hocrux. One day, Regulus commands Kreacher to show him the same place and he drank the potion and Kreacher replaced the lockets. Kreacher brought the locket home but couldn't destroy it. Mundungus Fletcher comes into Grimmauld place and steals it.

Now Harry orders Kreacher to go and find Fletcher. He, Ron and Hermione are determined to find all the Horcurxes and destroy them, can they, when the clues they have are so little?

________________________

1-Ron and Heromine planned for their journey with Harry thoroughly. When they told Harry this, it hit him how much they're sacrificing for him. How do you think he felt? And given the chance, would he have gone without them?

2-Dumbledore's Will baffled Harry, Ron and Heromine equally. How necessary do you think it is that he didn't give them any hints as to how they're useful? And concerning the sword, was Dumbledore justified in leaving it to Harry though it's as the Minister of Magic says, not Dumbledore's to give?

3- Why wouldn't Elphias Doge tell them the truth, do you think he had a good reason or he simply couldn't stand his closest friend being thus talked about?

4-How do you think the Death Eaters found out where our friends were in
the Muggles world?


Questions by Noor.

62 comments:

  1. At first I thought that you guys were taking it easy with five chapters for each discussion, but this is the Deathly Hallows! It is packed with action from cover to cover. The review is really well written, it was enough for me to remember every little detail from the book.

    1-Ron and Heromine planned for their journey with Harry thoroughly. When they told Harry this, it hit him how much they're sacrificing for him. How do you think he felt? And given the chance, would he have gone without them?

    I think he felt relieved that he won't have to go alone, he needed their help and support more than anything on his journey. Also, I don't think he'd have gone alone, he just doesn't want to force Ron and Hermoine to go with him. He wants it to be their choice.

    ReplyDelete
  2. The book definitely has a lot of events. It was hard to review it, I should say, you don't know what to include and what not to but every detail matters. Thanks for your kind words. I'm happy that you could join us.

    Question: What chapter did you like the most?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Salam,,,
    HArry, Ron, and Hermiony were friends for too long. Even if Harry wantened to leave alone, he couldn't in my opinion. His friends and every one around him believe they have a duty twords him, but the relationship with his friends crossed that wall.

    Dumbledore knows what destiny lays in those three. The will gave each of them what appears to be small usless things. But you never know what can the do.

    Elphias Doge knows something and may even take it to the grave. I believe he is too loyal to give it away to such person (the aunt).

    (This ministry problem remnds me of the current event that happened in the country somehow)

    ReplyDelete
  4. The Prince's Tale and of course the Epilogue :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I agree with you Ateka.
    Harry might be worried about his friends, but it's coforting to have someone by his side.

    Question: What chapter did you like the most?

    The wedding :D I liked Rons mom mostly. Very hyper...

    ReplyDelete
  6. Very well written! Enjoyed reading it =)

    I have to say I really enjoyed the discussion that occurred between the trio and Scrigmour...especially Harry, he had very smart come backs. Well he's angry, you can't blame him.

    The discussion with Murial shocked me. I can't actually wait to find out the story behind all that she said since I can't remember it very well.

    In reply to question #2: I mean it's pretty obvious why Dumbledore didn't give them hints as to how useful these items just so their use can be protected against the wrong hands.

    In reply to question #4: I have to say this was very odd! Can't think of anything. I would like to know how they knew though >.<

    ReplyDelete
  7. Ateka: I mean from these 5 chapters but yeah, I love The Prince's Tale too. Explains everything.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Amm, I have a question in mind I would like to share :)

    -What do you think of the strange eye symbol on Xenophilius Lovegood and Luna's neck and there intions of wearing it?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Zaytoon Wo Za3tar: Don't you think if Dumbeldore explained what these things are for or passed them to Harry and his friends when he was alive it would have made things easier?

    Do you guys think there's a reason why Dumbledore held back this information from them?

    ReplyDelete
  10. My favorite chapter out of this lot would have to be The Wedding, had many events, a bit of comedy, so you could say it was light because of the occasion, but then towards the end it just got dark.

    LOVED how Rowling ended it with a cliffhanger: "The Ministry has fallen. Scrigmour is dead. They are coming."

    ReplyDelete
  11. @Kitten: am sure it would've helped them greatly but yet again if the information fell in the wrong hands then they will be useless. I guess Dumbledore knew that they were smart enough to figure out each item's use, when the right time came, or by mere coincidence, just how they figured out what R.A.B stood for. I mean imagine if they hadn't gone to Grimmauld place, they wouldn't be able to trace back to the locket. It's in Mundungus's possession now, man that guy's annoying for 2 reasons. #1 the Locket and #2 Mad Eye Moody.

    ReplyDelete
  12. kitten
    Yes! I do :)
    Dumbledore wanted them to figure it out them selves and use their brains. He sure do belive in them and know they don't need anything but each other to go all the way through their mission :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Kitten: Oh, I thought you were talking about the whole book. Well form these 5 it'd be The Wedding ;)


    2-Dumbledore's Will baffled Harry, Ron and Heromine equally. How necessary do you think it is that he didn't give them any hints as to how they're useful? And concerning the sword, was Dumbledore justified in leaving it to Harry though it's as the Minister of Magic says, not Dumbledore's to give?

    Well, just like Zaytoon said, Dumbledore didn't give any hints so the Deluminator, the book and the snitch would be kept from the wrong hands.
    About the sword, Harry was worthy enough to take it from the hat in the first place so he surely is worthy to have it now!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Another question: Why do you think Regulus Black switched the lockets? Seeing as how he's been a fan of The Dark Lord for years.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I really loved The Wedding chapter. The descripton of Fluer and Bill's wedding was lovely and it also gave a sense of there being happiness and love even though there is darkness slowly engulfing them all. Rowling really has a knack for soft edged humor in the tiniest of things, like Hagrid turning six chairs into a pile of matchsticks then apologizing to anyone who would listen around him (I am smiling just recalling the description hehe) I also really enjoyed Kreacher's tale, as it gave a sense that no one could every understand another person fully.

    As for question 3, it also crossed my mind. I suppose everyone has skeletons in their closet, no one is immune to that. The sad thing is that no matter how good a person could become, one tiny mistake in the past could tarnish everything he or she has built. This is slowly happening to Dumbldore now as rumors begin to circulate about him. I think Doge just wanted to protect his friend's legacy as what he sought to build himself up to, a brilliant wizard who fights for good.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Awesome review Maryam, really brilliant how you summed it all up. Mashallah.
    Concerning the 1st question. I felt really sorry for Heromine mostly, how she cast the memory spell on her parents, with the thought that she may never see them again, but making sure they're safe. As for Harry, exactly he was feeling guilty because he feels it's his fault they're leaving their families yet relieved he doesn't have to go thru it alone. Very true what ur saying Ateka ;)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Now that half of the ministry is on Voldamorts side, there is something very suspicious about not handling the sword.
    + they are jealous he got the sword not them. :D
    That's what I think about the sword.

    I think R.A.B was enchanted with Voldamort. But seeing his elf suffer made him wake up!
    If we think the other way, he was up to something BIG!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Regulus, as mentioned, got cold feet so he no longer followed he-who-must-not-be-named (just felt like saying that hehe). He wanted to bring him down. I guess he switched the lockets so that the basin would fill up again and if the Dark Lord (felt like saying this too lol) wanted to check on his Horcrux or even move it he will be given a slap-to-da-face, because if I remember correctly, the little note in the locket was directed to Voldemort.

    "To The Dark Lord
    I know I will be long before you read this but I want you to know that it was I who discovered your secret. I have stolen the real Horcrux and intend to destory it as soon as I can. I face death in the hope that when you meet your match, you will be mortal once more.
    R.A.B"


    Sadly, the ones who suffered from this are Harry and Dumbledore.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I'll go back to comment on your answers but here's another question:

    What do you think the other half of Lily's letter contains? And did you feel Harry's emotions while reading it?

    ReplyDelete
  20. Yeah! I agree with Noor, so sad about Hermione =(

    ReplyDelete
  21. Noor and Gee: Hermione's situations very sad. It's quite clear in the movie as well, the way she had to erase their memories then when she had to use the same spell on the workmen at the Cafe'..it was just like doing it on her parents all over again.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Kitten
    I felt like mixed emotions go through me while reading the letter, and the I really wanted to see that pic :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Kitten: YESS XD !!!
    Hi there :)may I please join your dicussion? ;)

    ReplyDelete
  24. Lets move to romance a bit.
    What do you think is going on with Ron?

    ReplyDelete
  25. Night Queen: I've posted the picture on this post. I don't think it's the real one but that kinda gives you the idea.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Razan Hey! Welcome in! It's M, by the way. Start asking and/or answering questions :)

    ReplyDelete
  27. Kitten: about your comment, that letter was very confusing without the other half. First of all, why was the other half torn out? And what did it contain? At the beginning I guessed that it was torn by Sirius because it had something that reminded him of some bad memories. Memories about James maybe? Or something that had to do with Lily suspecting some actions of Peter's? I dunno, but that letter was very puzzle-like to me.

    ReplyDelete
  28. The letter! Since Bathilda visits the Potters, I guess they hear many stories about Dumbledore. But Lily's tone in the letter didn't feel like one where she might say something bad about Dumbledore, she sounded a bit too cheerful. Which kind of brings us back to what Aunt Murial said might be a bunch of gibberish. Eh?

    ReplyDelete
  29. I was thinking if Lily also was as confused as Harry about Dumbledore

    ReplyDelete
  30. Night Queen: Ron really upset me throughout the book with his tantrums and all. But hey, who can blame him? He's used to delicious fat meals, and a great family being all around him. But I guess he had to just expect all that, he's on the run after all.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Razan: Agree.

    Which leads us to the next question: Who searched through the house? What are your guesses? And what were they looking for exactly?

    ReplyDelete
  32. Ron is hilarious! I think he doesn't know how to deal with Hermione xD It's quite cute though, what they have.

    ReplyDelete
  33. I love Ron! He's totally clueless and Hermione is too. Do you think she have fallen for him now? Considering her behaviour towards Krum?

    ReplyDelete
  34. Zaytoon: Haha yeah ;)
    Kitten: Who searched through the house? I would say Moody. They found out the Snape is a Death Eater so they had to seach headquarters for anything suspicious that he might have planted in there. And also, he was the one that had that Dumbledore corpse like thingie choke everyone who came by number 12 just in case they were Snape.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Kitten: she had fallen for him from the beginning of Half-Blood Prince. Remember the Confudus charm she casted on McMillan (or who was it?) and also her being super jealous about the whole Ron-Lavender relationship?

    ReplyDelete
  36. ^ I get that but why does she act all flustered in front of Krum? To make Ron jealous? :P

    ReplyDelete
  37. I never thought of Hermiony and Ron together. That always sounded odd to me.
    But I like his continuous hugs :D

    Maryam, I thought of the Death eaters, Snape, and Mundungus

    ReplyDelete
  38. Kitten: LOL she was flustered because she didn't want Ron's ears to get red hahahah :P

    ReplyDelete
  39. Razan and Kitten: I think she's fallen for him from book 4 =P I think she really wanted him to ask her to the dance. In the DH's I think she was just embarrassed.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Coming to our good ol' Auntie Muriel gossip, do you believe that Dumbledore really couldn't care less about his sister Ariana?

    ReplyDelete
  41. I felt something fishy about that part.
    I guess he did try to work on it but failed...

    ReplyDelete
  42. That part was actually disturbing. Dumbledore has such a clean image, and he's super caring and it was weird to read all that about him. Hard to believe really.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Night Queen: Muriel's gossip is always fishy. She's old so you don't trust what she says.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Hmm, Muriel's definitely a source not to be trusted. Going onto Kreacher. What is your impression of house-elves? While reading I couldn't help but think of how cruel their lives must be and I sort of wished we weren't introduced to these creatures in HP. The way they have to go through whatever..just to please their masters is quite sickening.

    ReplyDelete
  45. I thought it was very strange to bring up his past after over 5 parts!
    What do you think was in the writers head ??

    I am 107 young man! heheee

    ReplyDelete
  46. My fav chapter, like many of you is the Wedding. It was a lot of things, funny, emotional and exciting. I loved the different characters that were there and how everything fell into place. :D
    As you mentioned how she ended it was really good.

    I have something to add, random but I totally related to this:
    "Harry shrugged. Heromine, however, answered: Harry thought that answering questions correctly was such a deeply ingrained habit she could not suppress the urge."
    Heromine is by far my fav character because I find a lot of myself in her, anybody relate?

    ReplyDelete
  47. It kindof reminded me of the problems now adays with maids.
    It's heartbreaking juct to even think about it.
    So just go with wise Hermy :D

    I agree with you Noor :)

    ReplyDelete
  48. Now I must answer the rest of the questions:
    2-Dumbledore's Will baffled Harry, Ron and Heromine equally. How necessary do you think it is that he didn't give them any hints as to how they're useful? And concerning the sword, was Dumbledore justified in leaving it to Harry though it's as the Minister of Magic says, not Dumbledore's to give?
    I think Dumbledore is justified in not telling them, because as confused as they are now they'll be thankful to figure it out on their own when they're supposed to. All in due time :D

    3- Why wouldn't Elphias Doge tell them the truth, do you think he had a good reason or he simply couldn't stand his closest friend being thus talked about?
    I'm not sure about this, I think there could be some truth to what the aunt was saying but of course not the way she says it. i wish he could have explained something more to us, I was dying to know about Dumbledore's sister!

    4-How do you think the Death Eaters found out where our friends were in
    the Muggles world?
    No idea whatsoever, we'll know in time I suppose.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Yeah, I was actually upset that though the book dedicated a lot to house-elves, the movie neglected that completely. I felt really sorry for them. I always loved Dobby!!!

    ReplyDelete
  50. As to Heromine being flustered when Krum was there, I suppose it's cuz he likes her and well it's awkward him being with Ron, whom she has feelings for. I love the relationship between Ron and Heromine, and wasn't it so funny when Ron complimented her saying something about how she decorated for the wedding, and Harry knew it must have been from the book he gave him a copy as a birthday present?!

    ReplyDelete
  51. I always loved Dobby too!
    but he has a very sad ending :(

    ReplyDelete
  52. ^ That bit about The Twelve Fail-Safe Ways to Charm Witches was funny! Love Ron and his humour.

    A question: How many of your read The Tales of Beedle The Bard? No spoilers please. Because we'll discuss that more in the next chapters.

    ReplyDelete
  53. @Night queen yeah totally!!! :(

    @kitten I haven't read it, where is it published? Not in the book right?

    ReplyDelete
  54. It's an actual book that's been published in late 07. Click here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tales_of_Beedle_the_Bard

    ReplyDelete
  55. Ohh, must check that out then. :D thanks for letting us know!

    ReplyDelete
  56. I can't click it :D
    Amm, if it was available online that would be great!

    ReplyDelete
  57. I loved the bit when Harry compared a muggle's wedding to a wizard's wedding, not that different afterall. Yet with slight differences with one actually having magic involved.

    ReplyDelete
  58. So what do yo guys think about the eye symbol?

    ReplyDelete
  59. Hey guys
    "da5la 3ar'6"
    But I just wanted to say good job :)
    Keep it up!

    ReplyDelete