PoA Chapter Seven
Mar. 12th, 2010 11:16 am![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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deathtocapslockMalfoy returns to class acting as if he’s the survivor of some heroic battle. Which only Harry actually is, btw.
Even more shocking, Malfoy is marginally interested in girls when he plays the part of stoic sufferer to Pansy. Draco’s such a Mama’s boy.
Snape tells the class to settle down and Harry and Ron indignantly think about how if they’d walked in late they’d have gotten detention because Malfoy’s allowed to get away with anything in Snape’s class. Okay, hold on. No he isn’t. Nobody is. The Trio’s actually probably got a worse record in Snape’s class than Malfoy does—he likes Snape so he behaves.
And here, he hasn’t actually done anything wrong. Even if Snape would have given detention to Harry and Ron here, he’d have been wrong to do so. So it’s not like Malfoy’s getting away with anything.
Malfoy does display enough intelligence to annoy Ron. But that doesn’t take much.
Draco drawls to Snape that he needs something else done so Harry has to do it. If I was Harry or Ron here I’d have started laughing too by this point. Draco’s being a dick, but just the little stinker kind. Ron and Harry react to him like he’s being evil.
This book is generally a favorite because the Sirius reveal is great. But that gives JKR the problem of having no real villain, since Sirius isn’t trying to hurt Harry and neither is Peter. So she comes up with the Buckbeak story instead. Only the Buckbeak story is a non-issue, because it’s basically the story of an inept guy given a teaching position through favoritism who shouldn’t be hiding behind a bunch of kids to save his ass anyway. And that means the villain role falls to a kid whose crime is making a mistake in class and being unsympathetic about the consequences. Even the innocent animal isn’t innocent since it attacks Draco for the same reasons everyone else in canon does.
Harry’s shaking with anger now because Draco says his father’s made complaints about Hagrid. Even if I didn’t like Draco I couldn’t think of this as some huge injustice that Hagrid’s job is in trouble, especially when I know Hagrid is a bad teacher who can’t be fired because of Dumbledore.
This is why the series often depends on seemingly unimportant things like loving Hagrid. If you don’t see Hagrid being fired any differently than Harry sees Trelawney being fired, it’s hard to get worked up.
Oh! Here’s that big moment where Snape threatens to poison Trevor and totally would have done it too because he’s evil! I really don’t think the scene’s meant to be taken as seriously as Ron and Harry take everything in it. Even little kids get that Snape isn’t really going to poison the toad. In the next book he’s threatening to poison everybody.
Seamus reports Sirius has been sighted by a Muggle who thinks he’s just an ordinary criminal. Which he actually is. Okay yeah, he’s a wizard, but get over yourselves, guys. There are Muggles who have killed more people at once than Sirius.
I love the way Malfoy’s such a pariah amongst the heroes that whenever he’s needed as part of the story he’s always got to be forcing himself into a conversation between people who are glaring at him and wishing him dead.
Luckily Malfoy’s face is always twisting into various positions of “malicious,” “mean,” “nasty,” and “malevolent” so we know they’re just reacting to him like the cowardly demon he is. He should really be perched on Harry’s shoulder like an imp.
Can’t help but imagine what Ron and Harry look like from Draco’s pov. I suppose various stages of “morally outraged,” “righteously angry,” “heroically protective,” and “Crucio-level indignant.”
Draco’s bad jokes always have to over-played so Harry can notice (as if he’s not always checking Draco out), but give him a really dramatic moment and the boy knows how to play it just right. He draws Harry into the truth about Sirius “quietly,” “breathing” his lines instead of speaking them. And people wonder why H/D is so popular?
Still, why is Draco the only person telling Harry this story? Besides the obvious meta-reasons? Just like in GoF, Draco’s actually surprised that he knows more about Harry’s life than Harry does. Presidents of the fanclub probably often do!
Also, Hermione pops in and out of the scene after class, because she just Time Traveled. Despite knowing that Time Turners exist, and that they live in a world of magic, it doesn’t occur to Ron to think Hermione’s done anything magical. After all, it wouldn’t be OOC for her to have started Apparating early. (If Hermione heard that theory we all know she’d tell them you can’t Apparate inside Hogwarts.)
Lupin tells them to put away their books, which by now we know is code for “good teacher.”
Lupin mentions Filch, whom the narrator tells us is constantly waging a war against the students. By grumbling at them as he cleans up their messes.
Can’t wait until Harry starts heroically hexing the guy in a few years to put him in his place. Uppity squib janitors are the worst!
Snape leaves the teacher’s lounge when they come in, taking care to get in a last shot at Neville for letting Hermione help him in Potions. Well, really so that Lupin has a sense of what’s going on with Neville so he can give him some of that confidence that is the basis for all ability in good people.
Lupin might have thought he was out of practice humiliating Snape but 20 years later, Moony’s still got it!
Harry finds it hard to answer with Hermione bobbing up and down on the balls of her feet and waving her hand next to him. Hee! Hermione was so cute. A little young for 14 (which she would be by this point) but still.
I once did a post on how books 3-6 are like one book for each house? And this one’s totally the Gryffindor book, so there’s a big theme about courage. Hagrid’s class required some already, but now we’ve got a Boggart, which is pretty entirely about being able to laugh at fear.
A lot of people used to point to Snape’s being Neville’s boggart as proof that Snape really was Satan as a teacher, since he’s beating out every other fear for a kid whose parents were tortured into insanity. To me it more just says that Neville didn’t witness his parents’ torture and he’s had a relatively normal life so has a normal kid fear of a mean teacher.
I love that Harry can’t even think of how to make a Dementor less frightening. Because Nazgul rip-offs are just so terrifying they can’t be funny. Start with a pair of tap shoes and a hoodie and work from there Harry, jeez. Family Guy got a whole character out of it.
Heh. That reminds me of a LOTR fic. I think it was called “The Littlest Nazgul” where Frodo did become a wraith. The other Nazgul were annoyed at having to get him a black pony, and the fact that he called the pony Mushroom.
Seamus’ greatest fear is of course a banshee. If you cut Seamus open every Irish stereotype in the world would spill out.
Lupin’s boggart was the moon, of course.
And again with the courage theme, Harry’s still obsessing over his humiliating faint on the train and thinks Lupin kept him from facing the boggart because he didn’t trust him not to faint again.
I’m going to give some props to Lavender here for wondering why Lupin’s afraid of crystal balls. And JKR for calling attention to it without really calling attention to it.
Things happening twice:
While Ron and Hermione don’t get why, Harry becomes actually interested in Draco when he starts talking about taking action in revenge for your family, which will happen again in HBP.
Harry will also have the urge to show off for Cho the same way Malfoy is here. It just takes him a couple of years.
A Boggart shows up again in OotP.
Neville seems to have as much trouble as Draco when it comes to listening in class, and Potions has been known to also cause violent accidents. Only here it’s not Neville’s fault.
It’s a gun. No it isn’t! It’s Chekov! No it isn’t!
Lupin’s boggart
Since Lavender brings our attention to it, and we hear about everyone else’s, it’s got to be something.
Status: Fired with a mighty bang!
Malfoy’s cryptic remarks
He says if it were his family he wouldn’t just go to school like a good boy.
Status: Fired—he actually would take some action.
OMG, Hermione didn’t get to face her boggart!
What if she has to face one in the future?
Status: Fired, but harmlessly. I can’t remember if it’s at the end of this year or during her OWLS, but she can’t do it right. She should have just thought to make McGonagall’s face break out in pustules that said “Old Maid” or something.
Misdirected Answering
I know the Boggart class was an elaborate set up for a couple of things, but I don’t remember Boggarts ever really being important. Especially once the big tragic scene in OotP points out that adult fears tend to be a lot harder to make funny.
Jabootu Score: 1
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Part 1
Date: 2010-03-12 06:29 pm (UTC)In chapter 9 he will take points off Harry and Ron for being late. Of course they won't be returning to class for the first time after being injured.
Oh! Here’s that big moment where Snape threatens to poison Trevor and totally would have done it too because he’s evil! I really don’t think the scene’s meant to be taken as seriously as Ron and Harry take everything in it. Even little kids get that Snape isn’t really going to poison the toad. In the next book he’s threatening to poison everybody.
Well, he did give Neville an unpleasant scare. OTOH if Neville in his 3rd year still didn't figure out a pet had no place in Potions class then I can understand Severus arriving at the conclusion that only shock treatment would do the job.
A couple of fic recommendations with relevance to this point:
Lessons in Safety by bohemianspirit (Severus/Charity drabbles)
Pedagogically Effective - Charity delivers Severus' message to Neville.
Also, Hermione offers to fix Neville's potion, then whispers instructions to him - how much is Hermione's overbearing 'helpfulness' a factor in Neville's ineptitude?
Still, why is Draco the only person telling Harry this story? Besides the obvious meta-reasons? Just like in GoF, Draco’s actually surprised that he knows more about Harry’s life than Harry does. Presidents of the fanclub probably often do!
Yes, with the remark that in Harry's place he'd want revenge it is clear Draco knows what the accusations against Sirius were. Including his personal betrayal of the Potters, not just that he killed 12 Muggles and a wizard in one curse. Perhaps Lucius took an interest in who was accused as a DE when he made his plea of Imperius - he needed his story to be believable to Crouch Sr and the rest so he had to know what they knew and thought about the various prisoners.
Also, Hermione pops in and out of the scene after class, because she just Time Traveled.
She is also starving because it is much later in the day in her subjective timeline.
Lupin tells them to put away their books, which by now we know is code for “good teacher.”
In contrast with Umbridge who tells them to put their wands away. But in HBP when Severus remarks on Hermione's quoting of the textbook he is evil.
Remus is described as looking much healthier than he did on the train. However this is Thursday September 9th. Friday November 5th is a full moon (when Remus will be absent from class). Counting backwards he should probably be absent for his transformation. One of many calendar anomalies in this series. (Also, in November DADA is on Friday and Monday, here it is on Thursday.)
Re: Part 2 - The Boggart lesson
Date: 2010-03-12 06:30 pm (UTC)A lot of people used to point to Snape’s being Neville’s boggart as proof that Snape really was Satan as a teacher, since he’s beating out every other fear for a kid whose parents were tortured into insanity. To me it more just says that Neville didn’t witness his parents’ torture and he’s had a relatively normal life so has a normal kid fear of a mean teacher.
I agree with marionros that Neville's exaggerated fear of Severus has its roots in the way his loving family treated him. Boggart!Severus is reaching inside his robes, presumably for his wand. When does Severus hex students - except as a Defense exercise? Also, note that when Remus suggests to Neville to think of his gran his reaction is that he does not want the Boggart to turn into her. IMO if Neville didn't have Severus to fear his Boggart would be either Gran or Algie. Which would place him in a no-win situation - either he is defeated by his family or his has to ridicule his family - in front of his friends.
I love that Harry can’t even think of how to make a Dementor less frightening.
In the Triwizard maze he sees a dementor, but decides it is a Boggart when Harry's Patronus causes it to trip over its robes. A bit of reversal of logic there.
I’m going to give some props to Lavender here for wondering why Lupin’s afraid of crystal balls.
In chapter 11 Trelawney reports Remus fled when she attempted to crystal-gaze for him. Totally scared of crystal balls.
Re: Part 2 - The Boggart lesson
Date: 2010-03-12 07:28 pm (UTC)Yup, I do agree, now that I understand, the point about Snape being linked to Neville's family. Interestingly Neville's gran seems to ultimately be a good guy. I wonder how his relationship with her was supposed to have turned out in the end. Snape was a good guy too, of course, but he didn't become friends with Neville.
Re: Part 2 - The Boggart lesson
Date: 2010-03-13 01:05 am (UTC)Gosh, it reads like one of those really Freudian Grimm's fairytales, doesn't it? Once the little pudding headed boy proved his courage, the fairy Grandmother gave him his very own phallic symbol!
Then again, it's in stark contrast to Harry. Neville never receives a reward until he earns it. Harry is always given his gifts upfront (the broomstick, the cloak, the other broomstick, the stone). I guess the only one Harry really earns is the Elder Wand--which he doesn't want.
Re: Part 2 - The Boggart lesson
Date: 2010-03-13 08:57 pm (UTC)Very good point about the Freudian thing, though! ;) It totally is.
Re: Part 2 - The Boggart lesson
Date: 2010-03-13 02:32 am (UTC)Of course, in that one it was Hagrid who was owl-ordering creatures for the classes to study.
Re: Part 2 - The Boggart lesson
Date: 2010-03-13 01:39 am (UTC)This goes back to Snape docking Harry (IIRC, or shouting at him) for not helping Neville in Potions while he was on Hermione for helping Neville in Potions - wasn't that in PS/SS? I think the big difference is that Harry would probably help Neville work while Hermione would do the work for him, or as above, offer to "fix" it and whisper the instructions. He (any student, really) needs to learn to do for himself.
That's a common criticism of new mothers especially. Instead of sitting on their hands while their children learn to tie laces, button buttons, zip zippers, etc., they give in to frustration and do it for them. So, if that's Hermione's motivation, she's yet another successful mother figure in the series because she does for her Lost Boys.
Re: Part 2 - The Boggart lesson
Date: 2010-03-13 07:15 am (UTC)Re: Part 2 - The Boggart lesson
Date: 2010-03-13 11:28 am (UTC)Re: Part 1
Date: 2010-03-12 07:25 pm (UTC)Also, Hermione offers to fix Neville's potion, then whispers instructions to him - how much is Hermione's overbearing 'helpfulness' a factor in Neville's ineptitude?
This just made me realize something interesting (to me). I often use the analogy with Buckbeak and Draco that it would be like putting Hermione in front of an animal that didn't like being corrected. She might not be able to stop herself. And here we do have a similar situation. I don't think it's purely protecting of Neville here, though she does want him to get it right. I think it's almost impossible for her to watch him struggling through this without piping up.
I wrote a whole post once, actually, on Hermione's pattern of sabotaging things subtly. Her helpfulness is often a problem.
Re: Part 1
Date: 2010-03-13 01:08 am (UTC)Re: Part 1
Date: 2010-03-12 10:57 pm (UTC)I intend (one day!) to write a fic depicting the first time Professor Longbottom faces a class of second-years handling Mandrakes carelessly. Surely by then he will have realized that Snape had a damn good reason to crack down on pets and other distractions in potentially volatile conditions.
Re: Part 1
Date: 2010-03-13 02:52 am (UTC)Re: Part 1
Date: 2010-03-13 04:56 am (UTC)Re: Part 1
Date: 2010-03-13 12:13 am (UTC)*** They have a special ward at St Mungos for Muggles trying to make sense of JKR's timelines, you know.
JKR herself doesn't risk anything as she never did any timelines for her books