Harry Potter Read-Along Update
February Fortescue
January 2021
Welcome to the end of the Autumn Term, and hello to a New Year! We are about midway through Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
Our Read-Along is continuing to do very well. So far we've had 8 participants during the second half of the term, which isn't bad at all! We read one chapter each week, complete two weekly tasks, and answer trivia questions daily. The rewards, other than the enjoyment of reading the Harry Potter novels again and sharing that love with others? You earn Scales! Scales are the Slytherin points system.
The middle week of October began with us reading Chapter Seven, The Will of Albus Dumbledore, wondering why Lupin and Tonks disappeared as soon as they learned Scrimgeour was on his way with Arthur Weasley. I think many of us agreed with Prof. Sky Alton in that Tonks worked for the Ministry and didn't need to be suspected as an alternate agent. Next up, we remembered that one of Harry's birthday gifts is Twelve Fail-Safe Ways to Charm Witches and we shared ideas for what we believe the book has on the list. Gifts at unexpected times, paying attention, actually listening... Wizards, are you taking notes?
Towards the end of October going into November found us reading Chapter Eight, The Wedding. One of the questions was about planning a magical wedding: what magical items would you want to make certain to include? Most people mentioned flowers and a vivid array of colors. Emily Spencer included fireworks, foxglove, and Fwoopers! I'd crash that party, even if I'd never met her or her fiancé! For our pondering question of the week, we wondered about people's opinions of the scenes in which Harry aka Barry aka Barny ends up caught in the middle of – the debate between Aunt Muriel and her excitement about Rita Skeeter's new book versus Elphias Doge's personal memories of Albus Dumbledore. Meanwhile Viktor Krum is convinced the symbol Xenophilius Lovegood is wearing shows support for Grindelwald. We had many interesting responses, with Daria Summers leading the way and reminding us that, in the case of the symbol, Grindelwald was an infamous criminal, and in the case of Harry, Aunt Muriel has made him realize he probably didn't know Dumbledore as well as he thought he did.
The final week of October going into November found us reading Chapter Nine, A Place to Hide. If you and your friends were hiding out from Voldemort and his Death Eaters, would you have chosen Grimmauld Place to hide out, or would you have selected a different location? Professor Tarma Amelia Black stated she'd definitely go there first, especially since it's Unplottable, but after that, she'd have an alternate place in mind, in case she needed one. Next, we wondered how the Death Eaters were able to locate the trio when Harry no longer had the trace on him. At that point in the series, the best guess was that there were spies all around town.
November's first full week brought us to Chapter Ten, Kreacher's Tale. We thought about the posters teenage Sirius had plastered on his walls and asked about the posters we have on our own walls. It was an interesting mix, from animals to postcards. Next, we wondered why Regulus didn't simply Disapparate with Kreacher and try to hide from Voldemort while trying to destroy the locket himself, rather than choosing to die in the lake? Prof. Scarlet Leslie-Lewis had a really good response when she replied that Regulus had seen the effect the potion had had on Kreacher and that swayed his decision.
The second week of November found us reading Chapter Eleven, The Bribe. First up, we decided to suggest a different name for the chapter. Our answers were creatively centered around Remus Lupin <3. We also took a look at a side of Lupin that we had perhaps not noticed before and discussed if it had changed our opinion of him in any way. The responses were a mix.
During mid-November we were reading Chapter Twelve, Magic is Might, and considered other Ministry workers the trio could have chosen to Polyjuice themselves into. Finally, we wondered which Ministry of Magic department would be the easiest or most difficult to infiltrate. Sirius Fudge suggested the easiest would be Magical Law Enforcement, while Prof. Will Lestrange noted the most difficult would most likely be the Department of Mysteries.
The last week of November found us exploring Chapter Thirteen, The Muggle-Born Registration Committee. Our first question noted several of the interesting items found in Umbridge's office: Moody's eye, a telescope to spy on workers in the next room enchanted kittens, lots of pink, enchanted paperclips, spare hair bows, and a poster of Harry as "Undesirable No. 1." We thought of several other items that we suspected were also there, including Evelyn Amkette's addition of cat food and pink gum. Our second question wondered about Umbridge's Patronus. Were people surprised she could not only cast one but also focus intensely enough to maintain it during the court proceedings? We received several different answers. What are your thoughts?
To start off December, we began with Chapter Fourteen, The Thief, and wondered what Salazar Slytherin originally kept inside his locket. A picture of Helga Hufflepuff or Godric Gryffindor? A Basilisk fang? Finally, we asked this question: if you were away from home, hiding out in a forest from Voldemort, Death Eaters, and Snatchers, how would you obtain food? We discussed scavenging, sustainable food supplies, and grocery shopping.
Next up was Chapter Fifteen, The Goblin's Revenge. If you were a Goblin, would you choose to go on the run, rather than be treated like a House Elf? Would you bide your time until the war ended or help with the war efforts in some way? People had different opinions, depending on the goblin's personal interactions with the wizards, as well as if the goblins wanted to fight the Death Eaters. We next considered why Snape punished Ginny, Neville, and Luna for attempting to steal the Sword of Gryffindor by sending them out to the Forbidden Forest with Hagrid. The general opinion was that, while Iit sounded dangerous, it would keep them from perhaps worse punishment from someone else.
For mid-December, we discussed Chapter Sixteen, Godric's Hollow. Our first question? Do you think Harry and Hermione were safe visiting the cemetery in Godric's Hollow or do you think it's something they just couldn't pass up? I think we decided there was simply no way they could go to this village and not make a stop here. It's where Harry's parents are buried, after all! Our next question took a bit more thought. Why do you believe Dumbledore didn't share more information with Harry since he knew he was going to die and Harry would be tasked with finding the ones he didn't locate? Prof. Tarma Amelia Black made an interesting point: perhaps if Dumbledore had given Harry all of the information all at once, Harry may have given up before he started. He needed to figure some things out for himself, along with Ron and Hermione.
The last full week of December found us reading Chapter Seventeen, Bathilda's Secret, and contemplating what kind of message we would leave for The Boy Who Lived or to post about a memorial that has had an effect on you. Prof. Sky Alton told us about a beautiful arboretum where there are trees dedicated to people who have died. Our second task had us wondering if the outcome would have been different if James and Lily had had their wands on them when Voldemort burst in. In my own opinion, yes. James could have bought some time, brief though it may have been, while Lily apparated with Harry near an outside door, stepped outside, and then the two could have apparated away.
We concluded in December 2020 and began in January 2021 with Chapter Eighteen and that delightful book, The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore. For our first question we asked if you were in Harry's situation, would you continue to trust Dumbledore after reading Skeeter's book? Why or why not? While I think most of us would have been surprised, for the most part, considering the book was authored by Rita Skeeter, I think the general response is that we would have taken it with a proverbial grain of salt, but not written it away completely. Next, we contemplated Dumbledore and Elphias Doge's Grand Tour and their itinerary and shared where we ourselves would love to go on our own world tour!
That's it for now! Don't forget, you can still complete Chapter Eighteen and the other January chapters until January 31st. There's more fun to come, and everyone is welcome to join the Read-Along at any time! See you in the Dungeons.
Welcome to the end of the Autumn Term, and hello to a New Year! We are about midway through Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
Our Read-Along is continuing to do very well. So far we've had 8 participants during the second half of the term, which isn't bad at all! We read one chapter each week, complete two weekly tasks, and answer trivia questions daily. The rewards, other than the enjoyment of reading the Harry Potter novels again and sharing that love with others? You earn Scales! Scales are the Slytherin points system.
The middle week of October began with us reading Chapter Seven, The Will of Albus Dumbledore, wondering why Lupin and Tonks disappeared as soon as they learned Scrimgeour was on his way with Arthur Weasley. I think many of us agreed with Prof. Sky Alton in that Tonks worked for the Ministry and didn't need to be suspected as an alternate agent. Next up, we remembered that one of Harry's birthday gifts is Twelve Fail-Safe Ways to Charm Witches and we shared ideas for what we believe the book has on the list. Gifts at unexpected times, paying attention, actually listening... Wizards, are you taking notes?
Towards the end of October going into November found us reading Chapter Eight, The Wedding. One of the questions was about planning a magical wedding: what magical items would you want to make certain to include? Most people mentioned flowers and a vivid array of colors. Emily Spencer included fireworks, foxglove, and Fwoopers! I'd crash that party, even if I'd never met her or her fiancé! For our pondering question of the week, we wondered about people's opinions of the scenes in which Harry aka Barry aka Barny ends up caught in the middle of – the debate between Aunt Muriel and her excitement about Rita Skeeter's new book versus Elphias Doge's personal memories of Albus Dumbledore. Meanwhile Viktor Krum is convinced the symbol Xenophilius Lovegood is wearing shows support for Grindelwald. We had many interesting responses, with Daria Summers leading the way and reminding us that, in the case of the symbol, Grindelwald was an infamous criminal, and in the case of Harry, Aunt Muriel has made him realize he probably didn't know Dumbledore as well as he thought he did.
The final week of October going into November found us reading Chapter Nine, A Place to Hide. If you and your friends were hiding out from Voldemort and his Death Eaters, would you have chosen Grimmauld Place to hide out, or would you have selected a different location? Professor Tarma Amelia Black stated she'd definitely go there first, especially since it's Unplottable, but after that, she'd have an alternate place in mind, in case she needed one. Next, we wondered how the Death Eaters were able to locate the trio when Harry no longer had the trace on him. At that point in the series, the best guess was that there were spies all around town.
November's first full week brought us to Chapter Ten, Kreacher's Tale. We thought about the posters teenage Sirius had plastered on his walls and asked about the posters we have on our own walls. It was an interesting mix, from animals to postcards. Next, we wondered why Regulus didn't simply Disapparate with Kreacher and try to hide from Voldemort while trying to destroy the locket himself, rather than choosing to die in the lake? Prof. Scarlet Leslie-Lewis had a really good response when she replied that Regulus had seen the effect the potion had had on Kreacher and that swayed his decision.
The second week of November found us reading Chapter Eleven, The Bribe. First up, we decided to suggest a different name for the chapter. Our answers were creatively centered around Remus Lupin <3. We also took a look at a side of Lupin that we had perhaps not noticed before and discussed if it had changed our opinion of him in any way. The responses were a mix.
During mid-November we were reading Chapter Twelve, Magic is Might, and considered other Ministry workers the trio could have chosen to Polyjuice themselves into. Finally, we wondered which Ministry of Magic department would be the easiest or most difficult to infiltrate. Sirius Fudge suggested the easiest would be Magical Law Enforcement, while Prof. Will Lestrange noted the most difficult would most likely be the Department of Mysteries.
The last week of November found us exploring Chapter Thirteen, The Muggle-Born Registration Committee. Our first question noted several of the interesting items found in Umbridge's office: Moody's eye, a telescope to spy on workers in the next room enchanted kittens, lots of pink, enchanted paperclips, spare hair bows, and a poster of Harry as "Undesirable No. 1." We thought of several other items that we suspected were also there, including Evelyn Amkette's addition of cat food and pink gum. Our second question wondered about Umbridge's Patronus. Were people surprised she could not only cast one but also focus intensely enough to maintain it during the court proceedings? We received several different answers. What are your thoughts?
To start off December, we began with Chapter Fourteen, The Thief, and wondered what Salazar Slytherin originally kept inside his locket. A picture of Helga Hufflepuff or Godric Gryffindor? A Basilisk fang? Finally, we asked this question: if you were away from home, hiding out in a forest from Voldemort, Death Eaters, and Snatchers, how would you obtain food? We discussed scavenging, sustainable food supplies, and grocery shopping.
Next up was Chapter Fifteen, The Goblin's Revenge. If you were a Goblin, would you choose to go on the run, rather than be treated like a House Elf? Would you bide your time until the war ended or help with the war efforts in some way? People had different opinions, depending on the goblin's personal interactions with the wizards, as well as if the goblins wanted to fight the Death Eaters. We next considered why Snape punished Ginny, Neville, and Luna for attempting to steal the Sword of Gryffindor by sending them out to the Forbidden Forest with Hagrid. The general opinion was that, while Iit sounded dangerous, it would keep them from perhaps worse punishment from someone else.
For mid-December, we discussed Chapter Sixteen, Godric's Hollow. Our first question? Do you think Harry and Hermione were safe visiting the cemetery in Godric's Hollow or do you think it's something they just couldn't pass up? I think we decided there was simply no way they could go to this village and not make a stop here. It's where Harry's parents are buried, after all! Our next question took a bit more thought. Why do you believe Dumbledore didn't share more information with Harry since he knew he was going to die and Harry would be tasked with finding the ones he didn't locate? Prof. Tarma Amelia Black made an interesting point: perhaps if Dumbledore had given Harry all of the information all at once, Harry may have given up before he started. He needed to figure some things out for himself, along with Ron and Hermione.
The last full week of December found us reading Chapter Seventeen, Bathilda's Secret, and contemplating what kind of message we would leave for The Boy Who Lived or to post about a memorial that has had an effect on you. Prof. Sky Alton told us about a beautiful arboretum where there are trees dedicated to people who have died. Our second task had us wondering if the outcome would have been different if James and Lily had had their wands on them when Voldemort burst in. In my own opinion, yes. James could have bought some time, brief though it may have been, while Lily apparated with Harry near an outside door, stepped outside, and then the two could have apparated away.
We concluded in December 2020 and began in January 2021 with Chapter Eighteen and that delightful book, The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore. For our first question we asked if you were in Harry's situation, would you continue to trust Dumbledore after reading Skeeter's book? Why or why not? While I think most of us would have been surprised, for the most part, considering the book was authored by Rita Skeeter, I think the general response is that we would have taken it with a proverbial grain of salt, but not written it away completely. Next, we contemplated Dumbledore and Elphias Doge's Grand Tour and their itinerary and shared where we ourselves would love to go on our own world tour!
That's it for now! Don't forget, you can still complete Chapter Eighteen and the other January chapters until January 31st. There's more fun to come, and everyone is welcome to join the Read-Along at any time! See you in the Dungeons.