Andrew’s Comments (group member since Jan 16, 2017)

Andrew’s comments from the #HPReadathon2018 group.

Was Harry right to name his second son after Albus Dumbledore and Severus Snape? Why/Why not?
- Did Ginny even get a say in what their children were named?
- If you don’t think it was right, what would be a more appropriate name? Why?

Can Severus Snape ever be redeemed?
- The chapter “The Prince’s Tale” shows us Severus Snape’s life though his eyes. Does it portray him in a good light?
- What do you think of his “love” of Lily Evans?

Do you think the quest for the Horcruxes damaged or strengthened the Trio’s friendship?
- Was Ron justified in his anger towards Harry?
- Was Hermione right to stay with Harry?

What did Hedwig’s death represent?
- Is it as simple as saying it represents the loss of Harry’s childhood or is it much more complex?

Was the introduction of the Deathly Hallows the start of a wild goose chase, or did it ultimately help Harry in his quest to find and destroy the Horcruxes?
- Should Dumbledore have mentioned it earlier? Or not have mentioned it at all?
- Could Harry have found and destroyed the Horcruxes without them?
- Could Harry have destroyed Voldemort without them?

Thinking about the events in the book, is Half-Blood Prince the best title for it?
- What would you have called it?

Is the fact that the two main romantic ‘couples’ are best friends convenient or cute?
- Harry finally sees Ginny as more than his best friend’s little sister. Is it because she’s just there or has there always been something more between them?
- Ron and Hermione have been best friends for years. Is it super cliché that they like each other, or nice that their (foreshadowed) romance is founded on a strong friendship?
- Knowing that there are predestined couples, how are Lavender Brown and Cormac McLaggen portrayed?

Is Draco Malfoy to blame for his actions or is he a victim of his circumstances?
- Do you feel that his descent into being a Death Eater makes sense, looking back on the events of previous books?

How do you feel about Horace Slughorn?
- What does his “Slug Club” say about his values?
- He argues that he isn’t prejudiced. Is that true?
- Was he that good of a teacher or did his favouritism cloud his judgement?

Should Dumbledore have introduced the Voldemort memories to Harry earlier?
- How would this have changed their relationship?
- How would this have changed the course of the book/s?
- Knowing that he was going to die within the year, should Dumbledore have told Harry everything he knew as to not leave Harry in the dark (in the next book)?

How does the presence of Voldemort influence the events of the books?
- Voldemort is the clear antagonist despite not showing up until the end. How does he feature throughout the story?
- Do you believe that things would have been different had the Ministry taken Harry’s word at the end of Goblet of Fire?

Can Sirius’s behaviour throughout the book be justified?
- Did he try and live life vicariously through Harry?
- How did living in Grimmauld Place again affect him?
- Can his treatment of Kreacher be justified?
- Was he cooped up too long by Dumbledore?
- Is he to blame for his own demise?

Can Hermione scarring Marietta Edgecome’s face for life ever be justified?
- Was it about making sure Dumbledore’s Army was kept a secret, or was it pure pettiness designed to show off her skills?

Consider the character of Neville Longbottom. How do you feel about him?
- Is he treated fairly or unfairly by his grandmother?
- How do you think what happened to his parents influenced him?
- Neville is shown to be a poor student in some aspects? Why do you think that is?

Why do you think Umbridge is so obsessed with pink, hair bows and cats?
- What do you think her obsession might symbolise?
- How did she come to like these things? Was it something from her childhood? Or something she got into as an adult?

What do you think of the way the Ministry is portrayed?
- Why did they choose to ignore Harry’s warnings
- Did they overstep their mark when they held a full trial for Harry?
- Did they have the right to influence the way Hogwarts students were being taught?

Did Harry have a right to be angry all the time?
- Was there a reason for all his angst or was he just acting out?
- Was he right to treat his friends the way he did?
- Was there a way in which he could have approached different situations differently?
- How could different people in his life have supported him in this rough time?

Why do you think each of the four champions were chosen? What traits do they demonstrate that would be valuable when taking part in something like the Triwizard Tournament?

How did you find the portrayal of the two schools, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang?
- Were they stereotyped? Did Rowling do her research?
- How do you compare them to Hogwarts?

Does Quidditch bring people together, tear them apart or both?