Chapter 37 - The Beginning, ...of the end |
 May 17 2009, 09:18 AM
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Knight Bus Driver in Training  Posts: 565 Joined: 9:26am December 28, 2007 Location: Teaching potions at Hogwarts.   |
Chapter 37 -  artwork by Mary Grandpre The Beginning The last week of school, in retrospect, were quite blurry for Harry. He was so overwhelmed by the series of events, that he just could not process it all. This is his recollection of what happened............ Harry visited Mr. and Mrs. Diggory. Mr. Diggory could not stop crying and Mrs. Diggory's grief was beyond tears. The were very nice people, even in their sadness. They did not blame Harry for Cedric's death and were actually grateful to Harry for bringing Cedric's body back with him. Harry tried to give them the Triwizard Tournament winnings, but they refused to take the gold. Dumbledore had asked the student body not to badger Harry with questions about what happened, and Harry was grateful. However, many students steered clear of Harry in the halls and whispered behind their hands. Harry wondered if they believed Rita Skeeter's story which said Harry was dangerous.Ron and Hermione gave Harry refuge; they talked about anything but what had happened to let Harry sit in silence. Mrs. Weasley had asked Dumbledore if Harry could go straight to the Burrow that summer, but Dumbledore told her Harry had to spend some time on Privet Drive. Ron repeated his mother's words and said that Dumbledore probably had his reasons and that should trust him. The Trio had visited Hagrid that week, as well. Hagrid told them that he had always known Voldemort would come back. Hagrid also told them that they could not change what would happen and the best thing to do is prepare. He had also praised Harry and told him that he had handled the situation the way his father would have, and he should be proud of himself. Hagrid also shared that Dumbledore had given him a secret assignment and that he thought he had Madame Maxime convinced to join him. Harry was very sad when he had to pack his trunk. He had not been looking forward to the Leaving Feast. He was surprised by what he found in the Great Hall when he got down there. The winning house colors were not flying. Instead there had been black drapes behind the staff table. Harry knew immediately that they were for Cedric. When Dumbledore spoke, he was honest with the students and told the truth behind Cedric's death. The students were very upset by the news - the news that Voldemort had returned. He asked for everyone to remember Cedric and all that he had stood for. He reminded the students that international cooperation was more important than ever and to remember "when you have to make the choice between what is right and what is easy, remember what happened...."(Scholastic, p. 724) The students from all three schools said "good-bye" to one another. Fleur had sought out Harry and Krum had made it a point to speak to Hermione alone (without Harry and Ron present). Ron had finally found the courage to ask Krum for his autograph. The train ride home was much more pleasant than the train to school in September had been. Harry had felt that Dumbledore's speech at the leaving feast had "unblocked" him somehow, and he had finally felt comfortable talking about everything with Ron and Hermione. When Hermione accidentally dislodged a copy of the Daily Prophet from her school bag, Harry eyed it suspiciously. She assured Harry that there had been no more horrible stories about him. She had also told Harry that there had only been one article the day after the Third Task, which had mentioned that Harry had won the tournament and had not mentioned Cedric's death. Harry was concerned that Rita was going to write another horrible story about him. Hermione reassured Harry that would not happened because she had figured out that Rita was an unregistered Animagus. That was how she was getting all of her information, by ]buzzing around the school as a beetle! Hermione pulled out a glass jar with an angry beetle inside. She told the boys that she had warned Rita not to write a story about Harry for one year or she was going to report her to the authorities. Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle showed up in their compartment spewing garbage about the Dark Lord. Suddenly there were flashes of light and bangs. When it had subsided, the three were on the ground unconscious. The Trio were on the feet with their wands drawn and facing them were Fred and George. The five of them had hexed the goons. Fred and George, after much badgering, finally told them who they had been trying to blackmail. It seemed that Ludo Bagman had not paid up fairly on the bet the twins had placed with him at the World Cup. They had found out that Bagman was in deep financial debt with the Goblins and that he was broke. Ludo had tried to square away his debt by betting on Harry to win, but the Goblins claimed that Harry had tied, so Bagman still owed them money. Fred and George were very upset because they could not even get back their original bet and that had been all of their money savings. When they arrived at King's Cross station Harry forced the twins to take his winnings from the tournament. Harry's only stipulation was that they had to buy Ron new dress robes! Mrs. Weasley assured Harry that Dumbledore would allow him to join them later in the summer. And now for some Delightful Discussion... Please remember is is better to post a detailed and thoughtful response to one question, than to give one line answers to all of the questions. You can always answer another question another day! And as always, feel free to ask a question of your own! What was your response when Dumbeldore told the students that Voldemort had killed Cedric? Did you agree with this decision? Why/why not? When Dumbledore addressed the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students at the Leaving Feast, Harry notes that Krum looked wary or even nervous that Dumbeldore would say something harsh (Scholastic p. 723). Why would Krum look or feel that way? What did you think about Ludo Bagman gambling with the twins? How about the way the twins handled being stiffed for the money? Blackmail is blackmail, or is it? Fred and George tried to blackmail Bagman into returning their money. Hermione blackmailed Rita into keeping her quill quiet. Was it more acceptable for Hermione to use it or were Fred and George just as justified or is blackmail not acceptable in any situation?  How many Blast-Ended Skrewts were left at the end of the term? (10 points) a) 0 b) 1 c) 10 -------------------- |
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May 17 2009, 10:15 AM
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Flesh-Eating-Slug Catcher  Posts: 176 Joined: 11:03am January 21, 2006 Location: sampling the shoofly and whoopie pies |
hogwarts.gif How many Blast-Ended Skrewts were left at the end of the term? (10 points)1
  We have a winner! Yes it is one.Perhaps that Krum felt crummy because he had stunned Cedric. Maybe he was ashamed or Karkaroff's abandonment of the Durmstrang crew. I thought it odd that given one champion was imperioused, someone would have determined that things were wrong in the maze and stopped the contest. It was clear at that point that only a Hogwarts champion would have won from that point. No story though--- This post has been edited by potions brewer: May 17 2009, 09:12 PM -------------------- "That's the thing about people; they're so darned human." D.S. Bowman
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May 17 2009, 12:01 PM
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Butterbeer Connoisseur Posts: 1,465 Joined: 1:16pm April 18, 2007 Location: Horcrux hunting... |
What was your response when Dumbeldore told the students that Voldemort had killed Cedric? Did you agree with this decision? Why/why not?
I was glad he told them. The students needed to know the reality of Cedric's death and that Lord Voldemort was back. What did you think about Ludo Bagman gambling with the twins? How about the way the twins handled being stiffed for the money? Bagman should not have accepted the twins money, they were too young to be betting with adults. I think Bagman handled the whole thing badly. The twins tried various ways to get Ludo to pay them their winnings. Blackmail was considered...but I think they talked themselves out of it. I don't see that the twins were out of line in trying to collect, after being paid in Leprachaun gold. --------------------  |
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May 17 2009, 04:34 PM
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Claw-Clipping Kneazles at the Magical Menegerie Posts: 2,428 Joined: 11:46am June 29, 2007 Location: K'nexing Lirene |
What was your response when Dumbeldore told the students that Voldemort had killed Cedric? Did you agree with this decision? Why/why not? I think that Dumbledore treated the students with respect by being truthful with them, and not trying to protect them from the reality of Voldemort's return. He gave meaning to Cedric's death, and held him up as the innocent victim of Voldemort's cold, cruel behavior. When Dumbledore addressed the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students at the Leaving Feast, Harry notes that Krum looked wary or even nervous that Dumbeldore would say something harsh (Scholastic p. 723). Why would Krum look or feel that way? Krum's Headmaster was Karkaroff, and he was very different from Dumbledore. I think that Krum didn't know what to expect from Dumbledore as he had only his own Headmaster to go by. I don't think that he would remember what he did while he was under the Imperius Spell, so he wouldn't feel guilty about what he did to Cedric, but he knew how Karkaroff normally acted, and was embarrassed for his leavetaking. And, even if he didn't like Karkaroff, that was the Durmstrang Headmaster, after all, and he had abandoned his students. --------------------  wonderful signature is courtesy of atschpe  Thanks Mokey |
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May 17 2009, 04:36 PM
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Ollivander's Phoenix Feather Plucker Posts: 4,019 Joined: 1:37am January 29, 2005 Location: In the south where no Dementor can find me |
QUOTE(Cleo @ May 17 2009, 03:15 PM)  I thought it odd that given one champion was imperioused, someone would have determined that things were wrong in the maze and stopped the contest. It could be true as the fake Moddy had stated it: That cheating was indeed part of the Tri Wizard Tournament after all  The twins had every right to get their money back from Ludo, who behaved as an irresponsible kid rather than an adult. I woundered why the didn't asked help from others, be it DD, Fudge, Arthur, .... It's a shame that it's so easy to get away with a lot of unlawful things, when you treat a kid in an unfair way.  |
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May 18 2009, 08:11 AM
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Butterbeer Connoisseur Posts: 1,465 Joined: 1:16pm April 18, 2007 Location: Horcrux hunting... |
Blackmail is blackmail, or is it? Fred and George tried to blackmail Bagman into returning their money. Hermione blackmailed Rita into keeping her quill quiet. Was it more acceptable for Hermione to use it or were Fred and George just as justified or is blackmail not acceptable in any situation?
Oh boy....this is a difficult one... I don't think the twins followed through with their blackmail scheme with Bagman. Even they knew it wasn't the thing to do, but anyway...how much leverage did they have over Bagman? We don't know for sure if it would have been enough to be successful and then there's the fact that Ludo was broke and owed $$ to the goblins too, who are much more dangerous to owe money to. I never saw Hermione's capture of Rita Skeeter as blackmail. It is, of course, but if it keeps her acid green pen from poisoning the minds of everyone, then we're all the better for it. So in this case I'd say it is justified. -------------------- |
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May 18 2009, 08:26 AM
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Claw-Clipping Kneazles at the Magical Menegerie Posts: 2,428 Joined: 11:46am June 29, 2007 Location: K'nexing Lirene |
Blackmail is blackmail, or is it? Fred and George tried to blackmail Bagman into returning their money. Hermione blackmailed Rita into keeping her quill quiet. Was it more acceptable for Hermione to use it or were Fred and George just as justified or is blackmail not acceptable in any situation? I don't consider that the twins or Hermione were actually blackmailing Ludo or Rita. In the first place Ludo was cheating the twins out of their money, and he was not honorable in his actions at all. He must have cheated a number of the people at the QWC, and not just Fred and George. The twins were unable to get either their winnings or their original savings back, and they must have felt helpless trying to deal with him. And...as for Hermione, I really don't consider her actions as blackmail. Rita was a horrible person with no conception of honor, and Hermione was just letting her know that she could be held accountable for her lies and exaggerations if she didn't back off from Harry. Just think if she had been free to spread her twisted stories in the Daily Prophet during the next year. It was bad enough without her. -------------------- wonderful signature is courtesy of atschpe Thanks Mokey |
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May 21 2009, 06:42 PM
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Muffin Mistress Posts: 2,178 Joined: 10:42pm March 8, 2008 Location: RG Cookie Factory - reciting: "Oven at 350 F is too warm to touch with bare hands" |
QUOTE(potions brewer) Blackmail is blackmail, or is it? Fred and George tried to blackmail Bagman into returning their money. Hermione blackmailed Rita into keeping her quill quiet. Was it more acceptable for Hermione to use it or were Fred and George just as justified or is blackmail not acceptable in any situation? I agree: Blackmail is blackmail! No doubt about it! But just as with self defense there's the thing where the action are excused by the cause that created the situation! Like in our court-rooms there's always reason to look behind a incident and see what lead to it, so as to give the right punishment or maybe even find that there's enough excuses not to punish at all. The Twins got themselves into a bad situation - giving all their money out in a bet - but they also tried to right it themselves, and that, I believe, is why they didn't get any grown-ups involved! Besides they were really quite close to being grown-ups themselves and only a year later proved to be quite competent young men! Rita kept cornering people and sooner or later someone would hold her responsible, though she was probably not legally doing anything they could have used against her. Her being an Animagus could have been brought up in MoM though. So Hermione was just first in catching Rita, and Hermione's blackmail was really just fighting fire with fire! So in both cases they reacted justifiable, and would have gone off in a trial! I think! -------------------- |
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May 21 2009, 08:39 PM
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Knight Bus Driver in Training Posts: 565 Joined: 9:26am December 28, 2007 Location: Teaching potions at Hogwarts. |
And now for some Delightful Discussion...
Please remember is is better to post a detailed and thoughtful response to one question, than to give one line answers to all of the questions. You can always answer another question another day! And as always, feel free to ask a question of your own! Dumbledore and Hagrid had very noteworthy words of wisdom in this chapter. Some of them have become iconic in Potterverse. What do these wise words say to you? Do any of them reach into your life? Why do you think it was so difficult for Ron to ask Krum for his autograph? What did you think about the seemingly lack of supervision and repercussion for leaving Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle unconscious and hexed in the middle of the corridor? Do you think Mrs. Weasley had any other purpose for hugging Harry than to let him know Dumbledore might allow him to come visit them later in the summer? Hermione kisses Harry on the cheek. What was that about? Harry appears resigned about what will come in the future. Is this a good strategy? Jo describes Crookshanks looking like this, curled up in the spare seat on the Hogwarts Express... (10 points)
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May 21 2009, 08:55 PM
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Flesh-Eating-Slug Catcher Posts: 176 Joined: 11:03am January 21, 2006 Location: sampling the shoofly and whoopie pies |
QUOTE(potions brewer @ May 21 2009, 08:39 PM) Dumbledore and Hagrid had very noteworthy words of wisdom in this chapter. Some of them have become iconic in Potterverse. What do these wise words say to you? Do any of them reach into your life? Hagrid's "What's comin' will come, an' we'll meet it when it does ." Seems to me some pretty realistic and optimistic words of advice. Let us rise to the ocassion; we' figure something out, and don't be pulled down into the muck in the meantime.QUOTE(potions brewer @ May 21 2009, 08:39 PM) Jo describes Crookshanks looking like this, curled up in the spare seat on the Hogwarts Express... (10 points)Crookshanks looked like a furry, ginger cushion. That is correct  10 points to Gryfs! - Wandguardnoodle
This post has been edited by Wandguardnoodle: May 23 2009, 01:12 AM
Reason for edit: fixing quote tags and awarding points :)
-------------------- "That's the thing about people; they're so darned human." D.S. Bowman
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