Harry Potter Read-Along Update
February Fortescue
March 2021
Hello March and the beginning of the Spring term!! We only have 10 chapters remaining before we conclude Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, so now is the perfect time to join us in the Dungeons before our discussion of this wonderful book – and all seven books in the Harry Potter series – comes to an end!
Our Read-Along is continuing to do very well. So far we've had 7 participants during the beginning of the spring 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.
Early January began with us reading Chapter Nineteen, The Silver Doe, and thinking about the feelings of insecurity the Horcrux created in Ron before he stabbed it. What feelings would the Horcrux overwhelm other characters with if they tried to end its existence? We thought about Luna Lovegood, Neville Longbottom, Remus Lupin, and Molly Weasley. Next up, we wondered about different methods of getting the Sword of Gryffindor to Harry Potter. Some really good ideas were brought up, particularly comparing the Sword of Gryffindor at the bottom of the lake with Excalibur stuck in the stone.
The middle week of January began with us reading Chapter Twenty, Xenophilius Lovegood, and asking how you'd handle a potentially lethal exploding Erumpent horn hanging on the wall. The most common answer was given by Aurelia West, who would move the conversation to another room. Next up, we compared Harry's wish to continue looking for Horcruxes with Hermione's interest to learn about the unusual symbol, and asked ourselves which one we would have chosen to focus on. The general consensus is that we would have listened to Hermione and spoken to the Lovegoods about the symbol.
Towards the end of January found us reading Chapter Twenty-One, The Tale of the Two Brothers, and asking about the trail of the Elder Wand. Some of it is well known, but what about the history we aren't so aware of? There was some mention of the Elder Wand choosing its own destiny. Professor Scarlet Leslie-Lewis also suggested it may have even been briefly in the hands of a muggle once. Who knows? Next, we asked people to share their favorite versions of the Deathly Hallows symbol or create one. People shared everything from jewelry, to a mouse pad, to a lightbox.
The final week of January found us reading Chapter Twenty-Two, The Deathly Hallows. Have you noticed that all of the names on Potterwatch begin with the letter “R?” Why do you think this is? No one really knew, but Aurelia West's guess that it was for continuity makes sense to me! For our next question, we wondered why Hermione was so insistent Harry was wrong about the Deathly Hallows being real. My personal guess is that Hermione is very logical and looks for answers in books and this symbol never appeared in them, and she doesn't have a strongly developed intuition.
February's first full week brought us to Chapter Twenty-Three, Malfoy Manor, and wondering why Draco was so reluctant to identify Harry. I think Professor Sky Alton said it best when she said that Draco simply isn't cut out for the ruthless life of a Death Eater. The next question asked why Peter Pettigrew showed mercy and released his grip on Harry. One discussion was about the life debt Peter owed Harry.
The second week of February found us reading Chapter Twenty-Four, The Wandmaker. First up, we wondered why Harry chose to speak with Griphook first instead of Ollivander. I think the general consensus was that Harry had chosen to place Horcruxes over Hallows. Next, we asked ourselves about Dumbledore not wanting Harry to seek out the Elder Wand. Why? I tend to agree with Professor Tarma Amelia Black that Harry was a liar and a cheat, especially when he was younger, and I don't believe he, like Dumbledore, was meant to possess all three, although Harry had really grown up and matured by the end of the novel.
We read two chapters during the last week of February. First, we explored Chapter Twenty-Five, Shell Cottage, and wondered what song would we hum for a Crumple-Horned Snorkack. The answers included "Acroyali" by Yanni, "My Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music, and "We Must Believe in Magic" by Crystal Gayle. Our next question asked if the Sword of Gryffindor belonged to the Wizarding World or if it instead belonged to Goblins, as Griphook claimed. Everyone who posted agreed that it belongs to the Wizarding World. It was made for a wizard, and we get to decide what happens to it when we die.
For our second chapter in February, Chapter Twenty-Six, Gringotts, we asked if you would use a dragon to guard your vault at Gringotts if you knew the creature was treated humanely. I think some of us would, if the dragon were allowed to fly, feed, etc., while others would not. Next, we wondered what sort of hidden objects are in Bellatrix Lestrange's vault and what would we have in our own. Professor Will Lestrange had some interesting thoughts, including many Muggle weapons and every prize Bellatrix had ever won as a Hogwarts student.
To kick off March, we began with Chapter Twenty-Seven, The Final Hiding Place, and wondered where we would hide a Horcrux in Hogwarts. We chose all sorts of hiding places, from suits of armor to the Whomping Willow. Hannah Lovegood would hide hers in the Forbidden Forest. Finally, we asked if you were surprised Voldemort was unaware of his Horcruxes being destroyed. No one really seemed all that surprised. There were several different opinions why, but the general ideas were that he was insensitive in the first place, he was so far disconnected from the other soul fragments, and his focus was on the Elder Wand.
That's it for now! Remember, you can still complete Chapter Twenty-Seven and the other March chapters until March 31st. Don't forget – there are only 10 chapters left, and everyone is welcome to join the Read-Along at any time! See you in the Dungeons.
Hello March and the beginning of the Spring term!! We only have 10 chapters remaining before we conclude Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, so now is the perfect time to join us in the Dungeons before our discussion of this wonderful book – and all seven books in the Harry Potter series – comes to an end!
Our Read-Along is continuing to do very well. So far we've had 7 participants during the beginning of the spring 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.
Early January began with us reading Chapter Nineteen, The Silver Doe, and thinking about the feelings of insecurity the Horcrux created in Ron before he stabbed it. What feelings would the Horcrux overwhelm other characters with if they tried to end its existence? We thought about Luna Lovegood, Neville Longbottom, Remus Lupin, and Molly Weasley. Next up, we wondered about different methods of getting the Sword of Gryffindor to Harry Potter. Some really good ideas were brought up, particularly comparing the Sword of Gryffindor at the bottom of the lake with Excalibur stuck in the stone.
The middle week of January began with us reading Chapter Twenty, Xenophilius Lovegood, and asking how you'd handle a potentially lethal exploding Erumpent horn hanging on the wall. The most common answer was given by Aurelia West, who would move the conversation to another room. Next up, we compared Harry's wish to continue looking for Horcruxes with Hermione's interest to learn about the unusual symbol, and asked ourselves which one we would have chosen to focus on. The general consensus is that we would have listened to Hermione and spoken to the Lovegoods about the symbol.
Towards the end of January found us reading Chapter Twenty-One, The Tale of the Two Brothers, and asking about the trail of the Elder Wand. Some of it is well known, but what about the history we aren't so aware of? There was some mention of the Elder Wand choosing its own destiny. Professor Scarlet Leslie-Lewis also suggested it may have even been briefly in the hands of a muggle once. Who knows? Next, we asked people to share their favorite versions of the Deathly Hallows symbol or create one. People shared everything from jewelry, to a mouse pad, to a lightbox.
The final week of January found us reading Chapter Twenty-Two, The Deathly Hallows. Have you noticed that all of the names on Potterwatch begin with the letter “R?” Why do you think this is? No one really knew, but Aurelia West's guess that it was for continuity makes sense to me! For our next question, we wondered why Hermione was so insistent Harry was wrong about the Deathly Hallows being real. My personal guess is that Hermione is very logical and looks for answers in books and this symbol never appeared in them, and she doesn't have a strongly developed intuition.
February's first full week brought us to Chapter Twenty-Three, Malfoy Manor, and wondering why Draco was so reluctant to identify Harry. I think Professor Sky Alton said it best when she said that Draco simply isn't cut out for the ruthless life of a Death Eater. The next question asked why Peter Pettigrew showed mercy and released his grip on Harry. One discussion was about the life debt Peter owed Harry.
The second week of February found us reading Chapter Twenty-Four, The Wandmaker. First up, we wondered why Harry chose to speak with Griphook first instead of Ollivander. I think the general consensus was that Harry had chosen to place Horcruxes over Hallows. Next, we asked ourselves about Dumbledore not wanting Harry to seek out the Elder Wand. Why? I tend to agree with Professor Tarma Amelia Black that Harry was a liar and a cheat, especially when he was younger, and I don't believe he, like Dumbledore, was meant to possess all three, although Harry had really grown up and matured by the end of the novel.
We read two chapters during the last week of February. First, we explored Chapter Twenty-Five, Shell Cottage, and wondered what song would we hum for a Crumple-Horned Snorkack. The answers included "Acroyali" by Yanni, "My Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music, and "We Must Believe in Magic" by Crystal Gayle. Our next question asked if the Sword of Gryffindor belonged to the Wizarding World or if it instead belonged to Goblins, as Griphook claimed. Everyone who posted agreed that it belongs to the Wizarding World. It was made for a wizard, and we get to decide what happens to it when we die.
For our second chapter in February, Chapter Twenty-Six, Gringotts, we asked if you would use a dragon to guard your vault at Gringotts if you knew the creature was treated humanely. I think some of us would, if the dragon were allowed to fly, feed, etc., while others would not. Next, we wondered what sort of hidden objects are in Bellatrix Lestrange's vault and what would we have in our own. Professor Will Lestrange had some interesting thoughts, including many Muggle weapons and every prize Bellatrix had ever won as a Hogwarts student.
To kick off March, we began with Chapter Twenty-Seven, The Final Hiding Place, and wondered where we would hide a Horcrux in Hogwarts. We chose all sorts of hiding places, from suits of armor to the Whomping Willow. Hannah Lovegood would hide hers in the Forbidden Forest. Finally, we asked if you were surprised Voldemort was unaware of his Horcruxes being destroyed. No one really seemed all that surprised. There were several different opinions why, but the general ideas were that he was insensitive in the first place, he was so far disconnected from the other soul fragments, and his focus was on the Elder Wand.
That's it for now! Remember, you can still complete Chapter Twenty-Seven and the other March chapters until March 31st. Don't forget – there are only 10 chapters left, and everyone is welcome to join the Read-Along at any time! See you in the Dungeons.