Chapter 17: A Sluggish Memory

[abigail89]

Returning to Hogwarts after Christmas (who else chuckled at McGonagall's truly insouciant greeting to her students?) Harry gets up with Hermione to fill her in on his news about Snape & Malfoy. Like a dog with a good bone, Harry refuses to give up his theory about what it could mean, still insisting that Malfoy is in league with Voldemort.

Comments

[cadesama]

Poor Percy. You don't so much get the feeling that his "betrayal" cut them all so deeply that they can't forgive him, as that the twins and Ginny were just glad to take the opportunity to be rid of him.

Randomly, I sometimes wonder about the whole password thing. Harry mostly seems to learn the new ones simply by word of mouth, which makes it seem like the password system is a wonderful way to ostracize an unpopular student. We saw a McG endorsed version of that for Neville in PoA. I wonder if it ever just happens as hazing.

Funny how Dumbledore manages to bely his statement about Harry and he being friends -- which implies a level of equality -- by goading Harry into saying that he doesn't think what Dumbledore has to say is unimportant, right after Dumbledore dismisses what Harry has to say as unimportant. Lovely man

[monkeyshine4616]

Were the professor that deeply stupid, that they never connected this darkly glamorous group of powerful students with the "nasty incidents" around school?

When I read that, I thought of it very much like I thought of the rabbit at the orphanage. They *knew* it was him, but they either couldn't find any evidence, or they refused to believe that Tom had anything to do with it, because he was such a charming boy, or whatever stupid nonsense. Old age and all that, I'm sure. *eye rollage*

[cadesama]

I think the most reasonable explanation is that they refused to believe it of Tom, but I don't see why the group would hold a dark glamor if that was the case. The professor would have to be blind to the reactions of the students, or rationalize themselves into corner about how Tom's not really involved in the bad stuff, or that he's not actually the leader. I just think Dumbledore is projecting his view on the group while telling the story. Which is understandable, I suppose, but not a very accurate representation of what Hogwarts life at the time would actually have been like.

[monkeyshine4616]

It probably WAS Dumbledore's view. But it may also have been the students' view. This book shows quite clearly how students view things very differently from the Professors. I think the group held a sort of dark glamour amongst the students, just like the Marauders and the Twins were the head of mischief. I think it was more of a student ideal of them, rather than the teachers view... Just something Dumbledore seemed to agree with, maybe.

[monkeyshine4616]

(who else found it boggling that Hogwarts didn't offer the course as part of the curriculum AND that they have to pay for the lessons?)

I didn't. Apparition is a Ministry controlled thing. It's totally optional (you don't HAVE to learn how to Apparate. You HAVE to take NEWTs and OWLs to get a job... Unless you do like the Twins, and open your own joke shop). It didn't surprise me at all that it wasn't standard curriculum, nor did it surprise me that they had to pay for it. Not at all.

I think the best part of this entire chapter was that Dumbledore was moved by Harry's loyalty. That was one of his redeeming qualities. That he still seemed to have feelings. *pets Harry & DD* I'm actually still a DD fan, despite all of the horrible things he's done. I dunno why. Just like I'm still a Hagrid fan. Always was. *shrug* Don't ask me why. I just am. ;)

[schtroumph_c]

* I should think not.

English people, help me, I’m not sure I’m reading that right: does he mean DD *had* to trust Snape? Or had very good reasons to do it?

After all, if their first discussions happened in his office, all the portraits were witnesses.

* Though he had shown no hint of remorse, it was possible that he felt sorry for how he had behaved before and was resolved to turn over a fresh leaf. I chose to give him that chance."

Please, tell me you didn’t do that again with Snape.

[scarah2]

Yeah, Phineas means he would not expect Dumbledore to go changing his mind about Snape. Presumably because of things that Phineas has seen/heard in the office, but what we can only guess.

Musing

[woman_ironing]

Dumbledore's reaction to Harry's concern over Malfoy and Snape was odd. I get the feeling that Dumbledore was actually rather anxious about it all and didn't want his anxiety to be revealed. Doesn't want anyone to realise the risks he's taking? That and the usual keeping Harry out of his relationship with Snape.

Ah, Snape, Snape. What is he up to? Just keeping his options open in the interests of his own survival? He's taking risks too.

[house_elf_44]

McGonagall barely looks when it's the one time the Floo is hooked up. Why no security this time