Chapter 12 - The Patronus (Garnet)

Why does Oliver Wood think McGonagall's comment about his being "insensitive" regarding Harry is unwarranted? Whose side are you on, personally, and why?

Chapter 13 - Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw (Garnet)

Is Hermione acting insensitively towards Ron after Scabbers disappears? Does she take any responsibility for what Crookshanks may have done? Why or why not? Is Ron overreacting? Why or why not? Why was Harry so strongly affected by the Boggart, knowing that it was not a real Dementor, but, during the Quidditch game, he feels no effect at all when he thinks the fake Dementors are real?

Chapter 14 - Snape's Grudge (Garnet)

If Hermione reported the broom to McGonagall, believing there was a real danger to Harry, why does she say nothing about the tunnel? If you were Snape and all of the events mentioned were in your past, how would you feel toward James and, by extension, Harry, and why?

Chapter 15 - The Quidditch Final (Garnet)

What does Slytherin's playing style in the Quidditch match reflect about their character in general? How might you expect other house teams' defining characteristics to be reflected in their manner of play on the pitch? If you played Quidditch, would you play in a manner consistent with your house, or would your personal strategy differ?

Chapter 1 - Owl Post (Garnet)

For those of you familiar with the series, looking back on this chapter now, what elements of foreshadowing in this chapter help to set up the rest of the plot in the book? What kinds of tidbits of information does Rowling give in this chapter that are seemingly unremarkable at first glance that later help to flesh out the book?

For those who have not read the book before, what sorts of details did you find interesting in this chapter? What information do you feel may be pertinent to the book – or whole series – in the future? Do you have any theories on why or how these details may be important?

Please preface your discussion with whether or not you’ve read the book so we’ve all got some context when reading your post!

Chapter 2 - Aunt Marge's Big Mistake (Alewiina)

I think there's a great development of character for Harry in this book, and in this chapter, it shows in the way he attempts to manipulate Uncle Vernon into signing his form based on his good behaviour. Do you think this was a good idea? Or do you think it was doomed to fail from the start? Can you think of another way that Harry might've gotten his Aunt or Uncle to sign the form for him?

Also, I'm just curious... do you think you personally could have withstood her horrible insults without snapping? Personally, I'm amazed Harry lasted so long, I would have snapped on the third day, hah!

Chapter 3 - The Knight Bus (Garnet)

In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry is threatened with expulsion from Hogwarts after an incident with Dobby using magic in his aunt and uncle's house. In this book, he has used much more serious magic, and yet Cornelius Fudge is unconcerned about the gravity of this use of magic. Why do you think that is? Please take only the information you have so far into account - we'll revisit this question at the end of the term once all of the plot's details have unfolded to compare and contrast our responses with actual events later on!

Chapter 4 - The Leaky Cauldron (Alewiina)

~What do you think is the coolest thing that Harry describes seeing in Diagon Alley? Where would you most like to go? ~Were you suspicious when the witch in the pet shop told Ron that ordinary garden rats only live to 3 years, but we know that because he'd already belonged to Percy for a while, he must be much older than that? ~In regards to Molly and Arthur's argument about telling Harry about Sirius Black, who do you think is right? Would you have told Harry, even though he's only 13? Discuss :)

Chapter 5 - The Dementor (Garnet)

In this chapter, Harry first encounters a dementor. When Harry is affected by the dementor's energy, he hears screaming all around him which none of the others can hear. Who do you think he can hear screaming? On a more introspective note, how deeply, based on your own personal life experiences, do you think you would be affected by a dementor? If you would like to share, feel free to tell us what sorts of memories from your past might surface in the wake of an encounter with a dementor.

Chapter 6 - Talons and Tea Leaves (Alewiina)

So, in this chapter, we're introduced to three new things: Divination, Animagi (briefly) and Care of Magical Creatures. So many new things to see!

-When Ron points out how Hermione's time seemed impossible both at the beginning and end of this chapter, did you wonder how she actually could do 3 classes at once? What did you think she meant by "fixed it all with McGonagall"?

-Did Trelawny seem legitimate, or at least mystical, to you? Or did she seem like a fraud or just dramatic?

-McGonagall introduces Animagi in this chapter, the wizards that can turn into animals. If you were an Animagi, what animal do you think you would become?

-I don't have much to say about the Care of Magical Creatures lesson besides the fact that Draco is a jerk... but I'll ask this; do you think you'd be scared of the hippogriffs? Or would you love to see them, pet them or even ride them?

Chapter 7 - The Boggart in the Wardrobe (Garnet)

Most professors call students by their last names. In fact, I don't think I've seen anyone besides Dumbledore (and Hagrid, I suppose), ever call students by their first names. Lupin, however, uses students' first names. Why do you think this is?

Chapter 8 - Flight of the Fat Lady (Alewiina)

In this chapter, Hagrid loses confidence and decides to just let the students study boring flobberworms... what do you think would be a good creature to study instead that's fairly safe, but a lot more interesting than the flobberworms? Consult your copy of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them if you need to!

Also, Hogsmeade sounds amazing! Similar to my past Diagon Alley question, where would you most like to visit in the village, if you were ever able to go?

Chapter 9 - Grim Defeat (Raven)

Do you think when Hermione mentioned Filch knowing all the passage ways that maybe he didn't as a possible of foreshadowing?

Snape that perhaps Black was getting help. He mentions the appointment of... and then cuts off-- Did you suspect Lupin or Hagrid since both of those characters were the only new teachers?

Did anyone find it odd that Snape skipped so many dark creatures and picked werewolves or just thought he was being his usual disagreeable self?

Did you wish you could have seen Dumbledore get angry and shoo off the dementors from the quidditch pitch?

Chapter 10 - The Marauders Map! (Alewiina)

-Did you think Harry was going to get caught when he snuck into Hogsmeade? He's pretty lucky a teacher didn't see him!

-What would you have bought from Honeydukes? Sounds like they have a little bit of EVERYTHING!

-How shocked were you by the story of Sirius and his alleged betrayal of James and Lily?

Chaper 11 - The Firebolt

Why would Trelawney predict professor Lupin's "imminent departure?" Is this prediction accurate? If so, is there a more logical explanation than Divination? Why does Professor McGonagall choose to have the broom examined by Madam Hooch and Professor Flitwick? Would it not be more sensible to have the Firebolt factory technicians examine it?