The Not a Book Club Club discussion

Discuss Chapter 5 - Chapter 7

NOTE: While this section is meant to focus on the specified chapters of this book, this read is meant for people who have already read the entire series.

As a result, unlike most of our group reads, full spoilers for the series will be allowed without spoiler tags in every discussion post.

If you haven't read some/all of the books (What's wrong with you?) proceed at your own peril.

Ch. 5
-Again, only a kid would think flying a car to school is a good idea. Makes for a hell of a story, though.

-First appearance of the Whomping Willow which is rather important in book 3.

Ch. 6
-Rowling isn't too good at hiding things that will come back later. Mandrakes are introduced which will be used to bring back petrified people. Justin Finch-Fletchley is also introduced and mentions that his name was down for Eton, revealing that he's Muggle-born. Ruh-roh.

-Lockhart continues to show how much of a pompous ass he is. Ron already has an inkling that Lockhart hasn't done half of what he says he did.

Ch. 7
-I love that in the photo of Harry and Lockhart that photo-Harry is trying to get away from Lockhart and leave the picture altogether.

-Draco calls Hermione a Mudblood which means "dirty blood". This is the first instance that we get to see the nasty side of the wizarding world. Dark wizards are mentioned in book 1 but it's not until here in book 2 that we see the prejudice against Muggle-born wizards and the hate purebloods have for them.

-Harry serves his detention with Lockhart and hears a deadly voice expressing a desire to kill people. Ginny is already possessed and releasing the basilisk in their first week of school. Geez.

I loved the car they flew in - how ALL the stuff fit in the trunk and all of the people in the car on the way to the train station. And I loved how it tossed Harry and Ron out and ran into the woods.

Love how Lockhart messes up the first spell he tries to cast and gets his wand thrown out the window by the pixies. Also him going around and telling everyone else how to do their job. Such an ass.

In my first job, there was a Lockhart - maybe not quite as exaggerated, but still...

Alex wrote: "Chapter 5 — What the heck is treacle. Is this a British thing."

Yes.



Treacle Tart

Ch 5.

Only 12 year old boys would miss the train and think their only course of action is to steal a magically enchanted car and fly to Hogwarts.

I still don't understand why missing the train is such a big deal. It's not like the school is sealed up shortly after the train arrives and doesn't open again until the following summer.

Alex - I often wondered about the TARDIS-like trunks and whatnot but with pockets. Harry puts his invisibility cloak in his pocket pretty often. I mean, it's a cloak that covers your whole body. Pockets have to be bigger on the inside to hold it.

Rob wrote: "Ch 5.

Only 12 year old boys would miss the train and think their only course of action is to steal a magically enchanted car and fly to Hogwarts.

I still don't understand why missing the train is..."

I think that was kind of McGonagall's point when she asked why they didn't just send an owl. The could have just waited for the Weasleys to come out then apparate to Hogsmede.

Yes I know. I was just marveling at the stupidity of their logic.

I'm sure their decision was made easier by the fact that driving a flying car sounds really really fun!

Anyone besides me wondering how McGonagall made a plate of sandwiches and juice appear in Snape's office?

It wasnt Transfiguration, and based on what we find out about how the house elves transport food to the Great Hall during meals, I don't see that working in Snape's office.

You think Snape would protect his office from House Elf magic? What if he wants a snack while grading parchments?

No, considering the teachers all take meals in the Great Hall, I find it convenient that Snape's office just happens to have the same set up the Great Hall has where it comes to the food delivery. It doesn't make sense.

Its probably much easier to summon two plates of food and a jug of juice than to do it for hundreds of people. Hence the need for the Great Hall setup.

Could also be that Rowling didn't establish that rule until a later book in the series.