Some Updates and Discussion points for Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Chapters 16-18

But first some updates: The DA partay has been cancelled due to busy selves, and you, yes YOU, that means you, have an assingment. At Cindy's suggestion instead of me doing all the discussion points, we will all be in charge of one chapter, to see how that works out. These will need to be emailed to me by Tues, Jan 10, so I can print them, and have a day and a half to harrass you if you don't do your job. Here are the assignments for Jan 12:
POA Chapter 1: TJ
POA Chapter 2: Cindy
POA Chapter 3: Becs
POA Chapter 4: Chris

Ta dum! Comment if there are any questions. Ultimate Guides are available for borrow or purchase at Russo's, possibly at an additional discount (I will ask if anyone is interested). Also we might be going ice-blocking sometime in the next few weeks so express interest if there is any.

We might be getting some new members, as I wrote a blurb for Mike to put in the January newsletter if he doesn't forget.


Chapter 16: The Chamber of Secrets

291: Interesting that no one managed to look the Basalisk in the eye—I wonder if Ginny had some control over it or at least tried not to kill anyone. Might there have been some subconcious prevention? Or perhaps JKR just wasn't ready to kill anyone yet.


293: Dumbledore always said..." What? Now that the school really is in danger of being closed, I wonder what would have caused Dumbledore to make that decision. It isn't just the death of a student (Cedric). Does it have anything to do with the fact that McGonagall was one of the only few aware who actually opened the chamber last time (Riddle)? Could this be a clue that Hogwarts will closed next year, since Voldemort is back?



Chapter 17: The Heir of Slytherin

310: "Powerful enough to start feeding Miss Weasley a few of my secrets, to start pouring a little of my soul back into her..." What secrets? What all does Ginny know? Jo has said there are no remnants of Tom's possession in her, but that doesn’t mean she may not remember things. It could be useful or not... or, because she has blank spots in her memory, she might not remember--she's blocked it.


313: and speaking of secrets--and our discussion earlier of Ginny stealing back to diary & writing in it again: "What if you found out how to work it, and I repeated all her secrets to you? What if, even worse, I told you who'd been strangling roosters?" What secrets, other than that she was opening the Chamber, could Ginny have been afraid Riddle would tell Harry? The fact that she liked him wasn't exactly a secret... But I get the impression Ginny began to write in the journal again to find out exactly what Riddle had told Harry. [Brothers' teasing, etc]


315: Compare to the phoenix song scene in HBP, also with Ginny. And here Fawkes is singing while he is apparating-ish into the Chamber of Secrets--was he going somewhere during HBP? Perhaps to the white tomb with Dumbledore, woe.
Do phoenixs get new 'masters' when their old ones die? Will Harry be loyal to Dumbledore at some point later on, and will Fawkes come to his rescue?


323: Difference in the British edition I noticed... too bad I don't have it to reference. Ginny pulls away from Ron when he tries to hug her--In my mind this scene is connected to the one in the underground in OOTP where Harry has just learned he may be possessed by Voldemort and is feeling v dirty/used.



Chapter 18: Dobby's Reward

329: Voldemort "underwent so many dangerous, magical transformation" such as making the horcruxes--perhaps splitting one's soul can have an effect on one's appearance.


332; Ultimate Guide 134: ancestor vs. descendant. Were the Riddles the very very last? Dumbledore says yes, but perhaps this is his big mistake...


331: "Impaled on your own sword, Gilderoy!" Dumbledore knew Gilderoy hadn't done the things in the books... but there was no one else for the job. Still perhaps the lesson was enough for Dumbledore to call out favors on friends to serve as DADA teachers for the next three years. Also he wanted Harry to have a good teacher.


Ultimate Guide 134: What did other people at Hogwarts know about Ginny's involvement? Hermione probably knew but other than that no one else...? Malfoy must have known but did he tell Draco?