Chapter Thirty-One: The Third Task, A-Maze-ing |
 May 9 2009, 09:33 PM
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Hitchhiker's Guide of Harry's Alchemical Journeys  Posts: 2,870 Joined: 9:08pm March 20, 2006 Location: In the Alchemy Lab   |
Chapter Thirty-One: The Third Task A-Maze-ing  Chapter Art by Mary Grandpre (All references are from Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire Bloomsbury pb) Summary Harry shares with Ron and Hermione and Sirius (by owl post) most all that he has seen in the Pensieve and what Dumbledore told him. (But as Dumbledore had asked him, he did not share with them about Neville’s parents.) Harry reconfirms to Ron that Dumbledore does indeed trust Snape. Hermione realizes that both Rita and Winky really did know bad things about Bagman from the Trial. Later, as Harry lay awake in bed, he thinks of Neville and his parents - alive, alive, but not recognizing him. He then thinks of Crouch Jr. and his anger surges at Voldemort. “… it all came back to Voldemort … he was the one who had torn all these families apart, who had ruined all these lives …” (pg 528) Ron and Hermione help Harry prepare for the Third Task in The Transfiguration classroom each lunchtime. Harry masters the Impediment Curse, the Reductor Curse, and the Four-Point Spell. However he has trouble with the Shield Charm that is supposed to deflect minor curses. During one of their practice sessions, Ron draws their attention to Draco Malfoy, who, down below on the grounds, is holding his hand to his ear and then to his mouth and talking. To Harry, it looks like he is talking on a walkie-talkie, but Hermione, again reminds him that electronic things don’t work on the grounds of Hogwarts. In the meantime, Sirius’s letters come daily. He tells Harry that if Voldemort is getting stronger, Harry is safe as long as he is under Dumbledore’s protection. He encourages Harry to practice and concentrate on getting through the last Task. Even though Harry is nervous, this time he feels more prepared for what is to come. On the day of the Third Task, an article about Harry by Rita Skeeter appears in the Daily Prophet. She claims that she witnessed Harry collapsing in class due to his scar hurting. She quotes top experts at St. Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries as saying that Harry’s brain may have been affected by Voldemort’s original attack. She then reveals, quoting Draco Malfoy, that Harry can speak Parseltongue and quotes a “member of the Dark Force Defense League” who thinks this is a sign of Harry being connected to Dark Magic. Rita makes sure to disparage Dumbledore, too, because he has allowed this crazy child to compete in the Triwizard Tournament. She ends her unnerving article by saying that Harry might “… resort to the Dark Arts in his desperation to win the Tournament…”. (532) Harry retorts with a Hermione-like statement, “Gone off me a bit, hasn’t she?” (532) Ron and Hermione both wonder how Rita could have possibly gotten this information. Hermione then pauses, looks dreamily up and runs her fingers through her hair. Announcing she has an idea, she runs off to the library. Harry is called into the antechamber of the Great Hall after breakfast, as the Champion’s families have come watch the final Task. Harry, sure that the Dursley’s would not come to see him, thinks instead that he should go to the library. However, Cedric calls to Harry that someone is waiting for him. Now he is most confused. Walking into the area, he spies - not the Dursleys - but, Mrs. Weasley and Bill, who have come to support him. Harry notices that he is not the only one spying on Bill, as Fluer seems quite interested in him too! They have a wonderful morning and afternoon wandering about the grounds being entertained by Mrs. Weasley’s stories of when she and Arthur were students there. Harry learns that Percy is having a terrible time at the Ministry as he is being interrogated about Crouch’s disappearance and the instructions he has been sending Percy. Percy will not substitute for Crouch that night. Mr. Fudge instead will be the fourth judge at the last Task. After the evening feast, it is time for Harry to set off for the Third Task. Professor McGonagall tells the Champions that herself, Moody, Hagrid and Flitwick will be patrolling the outside of the maze. Harry and Cedric, who have tied for first place, go into the maze first, then Krum and Fluer wait for their signals. Harry relies on the handy Hermione charm of Point Me to work his way through the maze towards the center. Harry finds his way amazingly clear which he finds unnerving. He does run into Cedric who has just escaped from a Blast-Ended Skrewt. Shortly after they part, Harry encounters a Dementor, but he dispatches it easily with a Riddikulus Spell when he realizes it’s just a Boggart. He then comes upon a golden mist in his way. He is trying to decide what to do when he hears Fleur scream. He tries to run through the mist but he finds himself turned upside down, with his feet glued to the grass and his body being pulled by gravity into the expanse of space if he moved. He tries to think of some spell that will help, so he bravely pulls his foot out of the grass to proceed forward, and amazingly, the world is righted. Unfortunately, Fleur appears to be eliminated. Harry next encounters a ten foot long Blast-Ended Skrewt. The Impedimenta Curse bounces off its thick armor, but when Harry falls over, he manages to blast the curse at it’s unprotected underbelly and this works to freeze it. As Harry scrambles away into the maze he hears Cedric yelling in the path next to him. Harry tries to find Cedric, but when he can’t, he blasts a small hole in the hedge to find Krum casting the Crucio Curse at Cedric. Harry casts the stunning spell at Krum, stupefying him. When Cedric recovers, they marvel that Victor did that. To be fair, they send up red sparks over Krum so one of the teachers would come to collect him. They were the last two Champions left. They part ways again, knowing they were close to the Triwizard Cup. Harry then encounters a sphinx, which presents him with a riddle. Harry wishes Hermione were there to help him, but he figures the riddle out by himself and the sphinx allows him to pass. This path is a shortcut to the Cup, so Harry makes a run for it. Just as he has the Cup in sight, he sees Cedric also running for it. However, a huge spider is on a collision course with Cedric, Harry yells to warn him. Cedric barely misses the spider, but falls and looses his wand. He lays defenseless in the huge spider’s path. Harry tries to stun the spider, but it turns on him and picks him up by the leg. The spider bites Harry’s leg and Harry can only be released when he uses the Disarming spell. He is dropped 12 feet onto his injured leg. Cedric and he combine together to stun the spider on it’s underbelly and it falls over, thankfully not crushing either of them. Harry finds standing on his leg difficult and knows that he has lost the Cup. He urges Cedric to take it so the Task will be over, but Cedric doesn’t move. They argue – each of them insisting the other deserves to win. Harry hits on a compromise – they will take the Cup at the same time and it will be a Hogwart’s victory, a tie between them. Cedric agrees. As their hands touch the Cup, it acts as a Portkey and they are both transported out of the Maze …. Questions I will be placing new questions in this thread each day, so come back around to discuss your favorite parts! Day One: Placing Blame ~ All that Harry tells Ron and Hermione and Sirius about his ‘stroll down memory lane’– How do you think he does at reporting these events to them? Do you think he leaves out his own feelings about what has happened, or does he color his commentary with his own conclusions? ~ Harry is careful not to reveal what happened to Neville's parents. Do you think that Harry has more or less ability to understand Neville’s difficulty in living with this as compared to other students? Is he more sensitive to Neville’s privacy because of all the breeches to his own privacy? ~ Harry comes to the conclusion that Voldemort is the basis for all the evil that has affected many families (including his own). How significant do you think this insight is to Harry? Now for some fun: Chapter 31  Who was the caretaker when Arthur and Molly were at school? (10 points)Please note, answers to House Point Questions must be included within posts that contain additional content to qualify. In other words, one-liner posts are not acceptable, even in the context of the game. Thank you for playing by the rules! … Oh, and please remember to indicate your house when you answer the question. -------------------- Sorting begins soon for HBP!  Follow the Lily and Stag on twitter, too! Thanks twiddlethosedials for the Siggy! |
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 May 10 2009, 09:01 AM
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Exploding Snap Champion  Posts: 1,741 Joined: 1:02pm August 11, 2005 Location: Hogwarts. |
~ Harry is careful not to reveal what happened to Neville's parents. Do you think that Harry has more or less ability to understand Neville’s difficulty in living with this as compared to other students?
I believe that Harry has far more understanding of Neville's position than almost every other student. It gives you more insight to pain if you have been through it yourself. Harry had never known his parents because they were never there but Neville never knew his parents & they were always in front of him. But at least Neville could have a hug & had a loving, if hard, family. Is he more sensitive to Neville’s privacy because of all the breeches to his own privacy? Yes, I suppose he is, although Harry is more tactful than most, than Ron anyway.  ~ Harry comes to the conclusion that Voldemort is the basis for all the evil that has affected many families (including his own). How significant do you think this insight is to Harry? I think it is very significant. Power corrupts, Absolute power corrupts absolutely & Harry can see this very clearly. Like Dumbledore says, it is amazing that Harry never succumbs to the power that is available to Harry via the soul fragment that he shares. The pain Harry feels from the loss of his parents is his talliman against this lure & it works. Who was the caretaker when Arthur and Molly were at school? (10 points)Apollyon Pringle I think it was.  100% correct, ~Dumbledore's~Ghost¿~! 10 points it Hufflepuff! 
This post has been edited by HealerOne: May 10 2009, 09:51 AM -------------------- Born in July 1881 - Died in June 1997.
"I will only truly have left this school when none here are loyal to me... Help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it." Albus Dumbledore¿ |
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May 10 2009, 11:23 AM
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Butterbeer Connoisseur Posts: 1,465 Joined: 1:16pm April 18, 2007 Location: Horcrux hunting... |
~ Harry is careful not to reveal what happened to Neville's parents. Do you think that Harry has more or less ability to understand Neville’s difficulty in living with this as compared to other students? Is he more sensitive to Neville’s privacy because of all the breeches to his own privacy?
Yes, I agree with Dumbledore's Ghost, having been through living with the Dursley's, where privacy is not allowed and being constantly recognized as "the boy who lived" by everyone in the WW, Harry certainly understands Neville's need for privacy! Harry, really is quite sensitive and astute about others feelings.(most of the time) ~ Harry comes to the conclusion that Voldemort is the basis for all the evil that has affected many families (including his own). How significant do you think this insight is to Harry? Very significant.....Harry is pretty good about figuring out the big picture, even when he doesn't have all the information! -------------------- |
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May 11 2009, 07:07 AM
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Hitchhiker's Guide of Harry's Alchemical Journeys Posts: 2,870 Joined: 9:08pm March 20, 2006 Location: In the Alchemy Lab |
QUOTE(~Dumbledore's~Ghost¿~ @ May 10 2009, 10:01 AM)  ~ Harry comes to the conclusion that Voldemort is the basis for all the evil that has affected many families (including his own). How significant do you think this insight is to Harry? I think it is very significant. Power corrupts, Absolute power corrupts absolutely & Harry can see this very clearly. Like Dumbledore says, it is amazing that Harry never succumbs to the power that is available to Harry via the soul fragment that he shares. The pain Harry feels from the loss of his parents is his talliman against this lure & it works. Yes I agree with this. In fact I think this is one of the most important lessons Harry learns. His hatred of Voldemort and all he stands for becomes very real here. He realizes that he is not the only one that has been wronged, but that Voldemort has been the basis for much of the sorrow and pain that has gone on in the Wizarding world. Ok, ready for round two questions? Day Two: Arming for Battle ~ Ron and Hermione again help Harry to prepare for this task. Each contributes in a different way to Harry’s preparation. What does this say about what the Trio has learned about working as a team? We finally learn that electrical things don’t work at Hogwarts – what did you think about this? ~ Harry works to learn new charms and hexes for this last task. Do you think what he learned was effective? Why did he have difficulty with learning the Shield Charm? Overall, which curse/charm/hex appears to be the most effective one learned? ~ What part does Sirius play in Harry’s preparation this time? Harry feels more prepared for this task. What important strategies has he learned from the first two tasks? -------------------- Sorting begins soon for HBP! Follow the Lily and Stag on twitter, too! Thanks twiddlethosedials for the Siggy! |
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May 11 2009, 08:08 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 |
Harry works to learn new charms and hexes for this last task. Do you think what he learned was effective? Why did he have difficulty with learning the Shield Charm? Overall, which curse/charm/hex appears to be the most effective one learned? I think that what Harry learned of the new charms and hexes was very effective. Using the Four-Point-Spell was very useful in finding his way to the center of the maze. Knowing which way was North kept him from getting lost, and he could head in the right direction. The Impediment Curse came in very useful both in the maze and afterwards in the graveyard. He used that one to good effect on many occasions. I don't know why he had trouble with the Shield Charm, but I know he does eventually master it, and use it on Snape. What part does Sirius play in Harry’s preparation this time? Harry feels more prepared for this task. What important strategies has he learned from the first two tasks? Sirius is sending messages to Harry every day, giving him pep talks, and reminding him to just focus on getting through the maze, and not worrying about what is going on outside of Hogwarts. He comforts him with the knowledge that he is safe where Dumbledore is, and he just needs to focus on learning as many charms and hexes as he can. Sirius is definitely taking the 'father role' here. --------------------  wonderful signature is courtesy of atschpe  Thanks Mokey |
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May 11 2009, 08:19 AM
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Butterbeer Connoisseur Posts: 1,465 Joined: 1:16pm April 18, 2007 Location: Horcrux hunting... |
~ Harry works to learn new charms and hexes for this last task. Do you think what he learned was effective? Why did he have difficulty with learning the Shield Charm? Overall, which curse/charm/hex appears to be the most effective one learned?
Yes. I think Hermione picked some excellent spells for Harry to learn. I think the Shield charm is one of those that concentration is required. Sometimes Harry wasn't fully concentrating, thinking of all the other things that have happened, he saw in the pensieve, etc. I think Impedimentia was the best, then Point Me. ~ What part does Sirius play in Harry’s preparation this time? Harry feels more prepared for this task. What important strategies has he learned from the first two tasks? Sirius sends daily owls, keeping Harry on track. He wants to get him through this last task of the tournament. Besides all the spells/hexes/charms he now has in his arsonal, I think he knows to just get through the maze. Try not to rush to save anyone, but we know that's impossible for Harry. The other champions are definitely capable, let them go their way and you go yours. -------------------- |
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May 11 2009, 12:01 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(HealerOne) Why did he have difficulty with learning the Shield Charm? I believe it had to do with purpose. Harry was fastest with the spells, hexes and so on that had a purpose outside himself or where there was a clear and present danger (Like the Patronus against the Dementors)? If Harry's character has to be trustworthy, he has more problems defending himself than defending others unless it's like the Dementor attack where he's certain of what he's dealing with. I'm thinking a bit down the lines of how it's easier for a mother to stand up for her children than 'just' for herself! Harry uses the Shield Charm very effectively in the last battle by the way! -------------------- |
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May 11 2009, 08:51 PM
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Hitchhiker's Guide of Harry's Alchemical Journeys Posts: 2,870 Joined: 9:08pm March 20, 2006 Location: In the Alchemy Lab |
QUOTE(HealerOne @ May 11 2009, 08:07 AM) QUOTE(~Dumbledore's~Ghost¿~ @ May 10 2009, 10:01 AM) ~ Harry comes to the conclusion that Voldemort is the basis for all the evil that has affected many families (including his own). How significant do you think this insight is to Harry? I think it is very significant. Power corrupts, Absolute power corrupts absolutely & Harry can see this very clearly. Like Dumbledore says, it is amazing that Harry never succumbs to the power that is available to Harry via the soul fragment that he shares. The pain Harry feels from the loss of his parents is his talliman against this lure & it works. Yes I agree with this. In fact I think this is one of the most important lessons Harry learns. His hatred of Voldemort and all he stands for becomes very real here. He realizes that he is not the only one that has been wronged, but that Voldemort has been the basis for much of the sorrow and pain that has gone on in the Wizarding world. I've read all your replies and I can't help but think that Harry never would have been able to stand up and fight, had he not resolved that Voldemort was the source of all this hurt that happened not only to him, but many other families. Why do I say this? Because otherwise, Harry would have been fighting a fight just for himself. As he had come to this conclusion about Voldemort, then, when Harry comes to the point where he has to decide whether to fight Voldemort - he stands up to him as a sacrifice for all the people that had been hurt by his evil. It's the 'saving people thing' in him. That is a stronger response in him than the just saving your own skin thing. Even when he doesn't have any hope that his stance will save himself, he at least knows that his stance against evil will be one more blow against Voldemort for all the hurt that he has caused. What do you think? While you are contemplating that ... have some fun! Chapter 31 What was the name of the gamekeeper when Mrs. Weasley was Hogwarts? (10 points)Please note, answers to House Point Questions must be included within posts that contain additional content to qualify. In other words, one-liner posts are not acceptable, even in the context of the game. Thank you for playing by the rules! … Oh, and please remember to indicate your house when you answer the question. And now for some new questions! Day Three: Rita strikes again – as does Hermione ~ Rita Skeeter has an acid article published just before the last task. In it, she reveals that Harry’s scar has been hurting him and that he falls out in class. Before learning the truth, how did you think she obtained this information? Rita warns that Harry might use the “Dark Arts” in a desperate attempt to win the tournament. What damage did she do with this statement? ~ What did you think of Hermione and Ron’s initial response to the article? What did you think of Harry’s response? ~ I sure would like to know who that member of the “Dark Arts Defense League” was and what that organization is all about. Who is you best guess? Or do you think Rita made this up? ~ Did you have any idea what Hermione was up to when she ran off to the Library? -------------------- Sorting begins soon for HBP! Follow the Lily and Stag on twitter, too! Thanks twiddlethosedials for the Siggy! |
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May 11 2009, 10:00 PM
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Butterbeer Connoisseur Posts: 1,465 Joined: 1:16pm April 18, 2007 Location: Horcrux hunting... |
~ Rita Skeeter has an acid article published just before the last task. In it, she reveals that Harry’s scar has been hurting him and that he falls out in class. Before learning the truth, how did you think she obtained this information? Rita warns that Harry might use the “Dark Arts” in a desperate attempt to win the tournament. What damage did she do with this statement?
I thought Rita had a spy in the castle, not sure who though. Although Malfoy was my first choice, but he didn't take Divination with Harry and Ron. At first I didn't see that there was any damage. But by OotP, it's obvious... She was showing how Harry was becoming a nutter, which the MoM and the Prophet start repeating next year. What was the name of the gamekeeper when Mrs. Weasley was Hogwarts? (10 points)Ogg was gamekeeper in Molly's years at Hogwarts.  Good Job, Gilleyweed! 10 points to Gryffindor!
This post has been edited by HealerOne: May 12 2009, 06:30 AM -------------------- |
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May 12 2009, 11:03 PM
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Hitchhiker's Guide of Harry's Alchemical Journeys Posts: 2,870 Joined: 9:08pm March 20, 2006 Location: In the Alchemy Lab |
Not too much discussion of the Day Three questions - so even though I am [psoting some new questions, feel free to explore any of the questions we have posed so far...
Day Four: A Brief Retreat ~ Harry briefly entertains the notion that the Dursley’s may have come to watch him. What’s going on there? Do you feel he is in any way let down that instead it is Mrs. Weasley and Bill who have come to watch him? ~ How important was it that Bill and Molly come (came) to support Harry? Who instigated their coming? Molly or Dumbledore? ~ That little hint of Fleur’s interest in Bill – what did you initially think of that? Why is it important that the readers know of their attraction? ~ Ron has made up answers to his History of Magic exam, how typical of Ron’s character is this and what does it tell us about the way Ron thinks? ~ Hermione confronts Molly. How intuitive is Harry’s intervention? What does this little scenario tell us about the characters of Molly, Hermione and Harry? This post has been edited by HealerOne: May 12 2009, 11:04 PM -------------------- Sorting begins soon for HBP! Follow the Lily and Stag on twitter, too! Thanks twiddlethosedials for the Siggy! |
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