Discuss Chapter 18

[BillP]

This thread is for discussion of Chapter 18 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

If you wish to discuss events from later in the book, please post in the appropriate thread below.

Spoiler Warning: If you have not read past Chapter 18, this thread may contain plot spoilers.

[quidditchpro]

There is no doubt in my mind that there is far more to it than we've seen so far regarding what Rita Skeeter writes in her Dumbledore "Biography". So what she used Veritaserum, you aren't lying if you tell what you suspect, but that doesn't make it true. Dumbledore cared about Harry, I have no doubt.

[kpeterson32]

Dumbledore did care about Harry. It's one thing that he did tell the kid.

But do you think that Dumbledore and Grindelwald were actually friends? I don't know what to make of Dumbledore's supposed letter. I think there's more to it than that, if the letter is even real.

[JaYzRICH]

Dumbledore definitly cared about Harry, everyone even knew he was his favorite student of all time. He trusted Harry at all times even if it wasn't with his past but with the things that were going to help Harry destroy Voldemort.

[stellaa37]

It is really nice to finally get a little background on hogwarts old headmaster... Its hard to believe some of this stuff a) Because its Rita SKetter and her Quick Quote Quill at hand her b) because it's hard to beleive that Dumbledore would ever do anything bad.
I know the real truth will come out!

[iDigHermione]

Alright, Dumbledore definitely cared about Harry, there's no doubt. As already stated, it was clearly known that Harry was Dumbledore's favorite student. I believe Dumbledore chose not to share information regarding the grave site in Godric's Hollow (the fact that his mother and sister were burried in the same area as Harry's parents) because information about identity regarding one's family is a personal journey that every human being should venture alone. On a seperate note, maybe at one time, Dumbledore did in fact want to use magic to rule over Muggles, but with age, comes wisdom. Dumbledore's years spent at Hogwarts were great ones, and Harry should be proud of his TRUTHFUL relationship with Dumbledore.

Unrelated, why the hell don't Hermione and Harry disapparate (spelling? the one time I needed to go back and find it printed to correct spelling, I couldn't find it) to the Burrow under the Invisability Cloak and visit with everyone, make up with Ron, and rest? Harry doesn't have the trace on him anymore. Harry and Hermione could just send one of thi messenger cats or whatever to inform those at the Burrow that they were coming at the top of that hill where everyone comes to the Burrow because of those enchantments that won't allow disapparating (sp?) within x amount of feet around the Burrow.

Also, I know that Harry has to be the one to kill Voldemort and that Dumbledore entrusted him with the knowledge to hunt and destroy the Horcruxes (and the permisson to share it with Hermione and Ron), but hell, Harry needs help. He can't keep hiding. He needs all of the wizards who aren't Death Eaters on his side. No one in the right mind would think that Harry killed Dumbledore. Why isn't Harry helping himself?

[kpeterson32]

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iDigHermione wrote:
Unrelated, why the hell don't Hermione and Harry disapparate (spelling? the one time I needed to go back and find it printed to correct spelling, I couldn't find it) to the Burrow under the Invisability Cloak and visit with everyone, make up with Ron, and rest? Harry doesn't have the trace on him anymore. Harry and Hermione could just send one of thi messenger cats or whatever to inform those at the Burrow that they were coming at the top of that hill where everyone comes to the Burrow because of those enchantments that won't allow disapparating (sp?) within x amount of feet around the Burrow.

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Personally, I think it's a very good thing they haven't thought to try that. Remember back to chapter 1 when we learned that Snape has an informant that knew when and where Harry would be moved? If they showed up for a visit, someone might share the information with Snape. Also, the family is probably being watched so incredibly closely that I don't think it's possible for them to see Harry and Hermione and no one find out about it. Besides, they can't take the chance.

[dayrenm]

I think that the duo has to find help from the order, or at least those in dd's army. Maybe Ron will show up with the gang. And Btw where are the Dudleys?

[coreen222]

This is the first time I got weepy (not that other parts of the book haven't moved me). I can understand Harry's frustration. I found this similar to how Harry felt when he found out how cruel James and his friends were to Severus. Harry is left to deal with the mistakes they made in the past. Everyone passes it off as them just being young, but Harry is the same age and is left with all of the burdens. He can't afford to make the same mistakes and to just be young.

Even though I don't believe Rita's story is entirely true, I can understand how Harry feels betrayed by DD because he had fully trusted him without knowing anything about who he was before he became the DD we all know and love. It doesn't seem fair. I finally understand Harry's anger and frustration.

[ghostbuster]

Even though Rita Skeeter has been known to stretch stories and lie alot, I was actually suprised that her story on Dumbledore isn't fiction.

[quidditchpro]

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ghostbuster wrote:
Even though Rita Skeeter has been known to stretch stories and lie alot, I was actually suprised that her story on Dumbledore isn't fiction.

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What makes you say it's not. We already know that she's lying at least in regards to Harry Potter, I'm sure that much more of it are also lies.

[ghostbuster]

Yeah but she used veritaserum on Bagshot. Enough said.

[Psychee]

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ghostbuster wrote:
Yeah but she used veritaserum on Bagshot. Enough said.

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Two things to consider, though...

1) How much did Bathilda actually know? Sometimes things aren't what they seem to a neighbor... and

2) What difference does it make if Rita heard the truth from her? Rita doesn't write the truth even when she knows it...

[quidditchpro]

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Psychee wrote:

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ghostbuster wrote:
Yeah but she used veritaserum on Bagshot. Enough said.

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Two things to consider, though...

1) How much did Bathilda actually know? Sometimes things aren't what they seem to a neighbor... and

2) What difference does it make if Rita heard the truth from her? Rita doesn't write the truth even when she knows it...

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Very good points Psychee

[jmljasmine]

I completely agree. Rita might have heard the truth but didn't Harry tell the truth during his first interview with her? That, however, is not what her quick quotes quill wrote and she admitted to using that here.

[APenForYourTho…]

I definitely think there's more to Dumbledore's story than what is presented in the book. It is Rita Skeeter, after all.
I think it's possible that Dumbledore and Grindelwald could have been friends and that Dumbledore may have once thought that wizards should rule over Muggles, but perhaps he realized the faults in his idea later on. And it does sound like Dumbledore gave Grindelwald his ideas, but didn't Einstein write a letter to the President of the U.S. that ultimately convinced him to use the atomic bomb in WWII? It could be like that, and Einstein always regretted having written that because it ended up being so destructive.
I understand why Harry is upset, though, because he feels like Dumbledore was lying to him and keeping things from him that were important.
I hope Ron comes back!!! I miss him!!!

[LiveUrLife]

Dumbledore cared about Harry very much. That does not mean, however, that he told him everything about his life. Some things were meant to stay private.

[Rachel-K]

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APenForYourThoughts wrote:
I definitely think there's more to Dumbledore's story than what is presented in the book. It is Rita Skeeter, after all.
I think it's possible that Dumbledore and Grindelwald could have been friends and that Dumbledore may have once thought that wizards should rule over Muggles, but perhaps he realized the faults in his idea later on. And it does sound like Dumbledore gave Grindelwald his ideas, but didn't Einstein write a letter to the President of the U.S. that ultimately convinced him to use the atomic bomb in WWII? It could be like that, and Einstein always regretted having written that because it ended up being so destructive.
I understand why Harry is upset, though, because he feels like Dumbledore was lying to him and keeping things from him that were important.
I hope Ron comes back!!! I miss him!!!

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Interesting note about Einstein's change of heart, APen, and the coincidence of his shocking white hair almost makes me wonder at the possible inspiration for Dumbledore's character! I can't imagine what those times must have felt like, that so many scientists supported and worked on the bomb, but as an example of how time changes our minds, this is an excellent one.