Epic Harry Potter (Re)Read discussion

Discuss Chapter One

So I just finished this chapter and I'm always blown away by the foreshadowing in it. Who would have expected to ever see the put-outer again? And hayride mentioning Sirius Black! Craziness!

I was pondering a couple things with this chapter. Sirius' motorcycle is described as huge, so did he ride around on a wicked big motorcycle or did he make it bigger so that Hagrid would fit on it?

Also, did Dumbledore think Sirius was the secret keeper? Because wouldn't you think he'd be concerned that Hagrid had spoken to him right after he betrayed the Potters?

Finally why did Dumbledore think it was okay to leave a baby outside all night? First, it's now the beginning of November so it has to be pretty cold and this is the boy who lived. Shouldn't he be worried that Death Eaters might want revenge? He could have at least rung the doorbell and woken the Dursleys up.

I was shocked to read Sirius's name so early in the series! In respect to the motorcycle, I know when I read it I sort of imagine an oversized motorcycle and Hagrid still makes it look small and normal sized. If that makes sense.

I think that Dumbledore figured that "the boy who lived" pshhh he can last a night outside! haha. But seriously, he really should have rung the door bell.

I think they made the right call in placing Harry outside the Wizarding world. Can you imagine growing up with that kind of pressure and adoration? The Dursleys weren't the best people maybe, but it definitely kept Harry grounded where he may not have been if he grew up knowing he was the savior of the world.

I agree with keeping him outside the muggle world in that he didn't grow up like a child star or turn into someone like Draco, but I don't agree with putting him in a family where he grew up unloved and abused. There had to be a middle ground that Dumbledore could have found.

See this is where I start to have issues with Dumbledore. Deathly Hallows really changed my opinion of him, but thinking about it now, it all starts right here. He leaves Harry with the Dursleys because of the blood protection, but it wasn't a good environment for Harry to grow up in. Dumbledore had to know how Harry was treated but he ignored that for "the greater good." I really don't like that.

I actually imagined Hagrid fitting perfectly on the motorcycle and it being one that adjusts to the rider (we are talking about a magical world after all).

Even though Harry's life with the Dursleys was far from ideal, I think his time with them in addition to his removal from the wizarding world is what makes him grounded (ex. It makes Mrs Weasley's Christmas gift so much more meaningful than it would have been if he had grown up in a "nice" family). I also can't imagine the Dursleys would have reacted kindly to being woken up into he middle of. The night only to find a nephew whose existence they wanted to deny. Some things are best received after a full night's sleep.

I was/am a huge Dumbledore fan and I am sure there are reasons for putting Harry with the Dursleys'. Mainly I'd like to think it was to keep Harry humble. Harry would be a totally different wizard if he knew his powers growing up. I think that it ultimately makes Harry a better wizard. He will always be grateful for what he has and can cherish the friendships better.

Where else would Harry have gone?

Even if he was with another non-wizarding family, he still wouldn't be able to empathize with Ron and Hermione. This way he can understand Ron's family and how they are so poor, but he can also understand Hermione who had no wizarding experience. It's kind of like a middle ground/combination of the two of them.

I think if had lived with Sirius that would be cool, but that's another discussion for another book. ;)

Re: why stay with the Dursleys. I'm just finished book five and Dumbledore explains why it had to be the Dursleys and not another muggle family and why he couldn't stay in the wizard ing world.