Chapters 15-20 Commitment-Celebrations-Concepts-Curveballs-Catenate-Craving Conversations

Apologies for the late posting of my contribution.

Same for the wordplay. I forgot why I stuck with the C-words and also wanted to complete the seven words.

The HBP chapters assigned to me are the following:

15 Unbreakable Vow
16 A very Frosty Christmas
17 A Sluggish Memory
18 Birthday Surprises
19 Elf Tails
20 Lord Voldemort's Request

To start with Chapter 15, one of the things that happened here is related to Slughorn's upcoming party. If you remember, this is almost similar to the Yule Ball in Goblet of Fire. Remember Harry's disastrous invitation to Cho?

The reason I've brought this up because I'm quite amused with one sentence.

"Harry was left to ponder in silence the depths to which girls would sink to get revenge."

I'm just curious to hear (or read) what would our PHP witches' insights on this. Of course, the wizards are not out of the discussion.

For fun, in Harry's POV, can you give a score (1-10, 1=shallow, 10=deep) to the "depth" of what Hermione had done (inviting Cormac to the party)?

Monsieur Malkin

Still in Chapter 15. During Slughorn's party, after Draco was caught by Filch and interrogated by Snape, Draco (and Harry spying behind the classroom door in his invisibility cloak) learned that her mother made the Unbreakable Vow with Snape. This is also the first time Harry heard of the concept of Unbreakable Vow.

Another question for Chapter 15. Do you think the Unbreakable Vow between Narcissa and Severus was really necessary? Could it have affected Severus' actions to "help" Draco?

I just felt it was too convenient

Monsieur Malkin

Chapter 16 A Very Frosty Christmas

A very cold Christmas indeed.

Harry spends his Christmas as The Burrow. At Christmas Day, Percy Weasley and Minister of Magic Rufus Scrimgeour "gatecrashed" the Christmas Lunch at the Burrow. This is where Scrimgeour had been able to corner Harry and talk to him at last.

Rufus Scrimgeour replaced Cornelius Fudge as Minister of Magic. My simple question is, really, was there any difference between the two as MInister? Why and why not?

Monsieur Malkin

Monsieur Malkin wrote:

Another question for Chapter 15. Do you think the Unbreakable Vow between Narcissa and Severus was really necessary? Could it have affected Severus' actions to "help" Draco?

I just felt it was too convenient

Monsieur Malkin

If I were in Narcissa's Manolos I'd probably say, yes, without a doubt, the vow was really necessary. We're talking about my only son here, and I'd do whatever it takes to protect him.

But looking at it story-wise, it is, I must say, a convenient narrative device to pave the way for certain limitations that certain characters (Snape is one of them, the other one is ) will be faced with in the succeeding chapters.

I totally agree with you, DADAF, on this. I suppose it would be hard to fathom to what extent a parent would do for their kid seeing as I'm not a parent myself. But just putting myself in my mum's shoes, I can see how totally necessary it was to make that vow.

Monsieur Malkin wrote:

Rufus Scrimgeour replaced Cornelius Fudge as Minister of Magic. My simple question is, really, was there any difference between the two as MInister? Why and why not?

Monsieur Malkin

Yes, there is a big difference. For obvious one, at least Rufus Scrimgeour didn't turn a blind eye that Lord Voldemort has returned. Unlike the former, Cornelius Fudge. We see some action during Rufus' term unlike during Fudge's term, who did a job well done in keeping the issue. What actually made me respect Rufus and find him a better Minister was when despite being tortured, he didn't give in. He has protected Harry 'till his last breath. I am in no position to judge Cornelius, but based on what he has done in OotP, I don't think he could sacrifice himself. Although, let's take credit for the protection he has given Harry during the PoA.