PHILOSOPHER'S STONE: CHAPTER SIX [open for housepoints]

This discussion will be open for earning housepoints for approximately one to two weeks, and everyone who participates could earn a possible fifty housepoints dependant of their participation in the discussion.

Remember – this is a discussion, not a debate, so any strong opinions which may invite debate should be kept out. It’s also helpful to re-read the chapter before participating.

That said, on with the discussion!

Philosopher's Stone
Chapter Six: The Journey From Platform Nine and Three-Quarters

Summary of the Chapter:

Quote :

Uncle Vernon takes Harry to King's Cross station and leaves him there. Harry meets the Weasleys who help him get to Platform Nine and Three Quarters and settled on the train. Here he gets to know Ron and meets Hermione as the train rumbles to Hogwarts. Upon reaching the school they are met by Hagrid and the First Years are taken by boat to the castle.

Ah, this is one of my favourite chapters! We get to meet so many of the central characters for the first time, and Harry gets to see Hogwarts for the first time.

Again, we see the cruelty of the Dursley's at the start of the chapter; Vernon just leaves him there expecting him not to be able to get to the school. Luckily, Harry meets the Weasleys, and they help him onto the platform.

Fred and George are great here, and as a huge H/G shipper I love the symbolism of Ginny running after the train and Harry staring back at her.

Ron teaching Harry about the wizarding world here is enlightening not only to Harry, but to us as readers. We find out that his family is relatively poor, that he has lots of brothers, and a pet rat. Hermione is soon introduced, and on first impressions, I don't know if we're meant to like her very much.

Some questions to think about in this discussion:

-What do you think of the way Harry met the Weasleys?

-Do you think there is romantic symbolism in Ginny running along the platform and Harry gazing back? We know JKR's parents met at a train station, so this is something to think about.

-Why do you think Malfoy tries to make friends with Harry in this chapter? We know that the Malfoy's were loyal to the Dark Lord, and Harry brought about his downfall. Do Malfoy's actions here seem odd to anyone else?

Let the discussion begin!

-What do you think of the way Harry met the Weasleys?

I thought it was really good that when he met them they were helping him and he was actually asking for help. It foreshadows that they helped him all along even when they didn't know he was famous. It also shows what good charector they have.

-Do you think there is romantic symbolism in Ginny running along the platform and Harry gazing back? We know JKR's parents met at a train station, so this is something to think about.

I never really though that this was hinting at there relationship but I guess uit could be. I always interpereted it as showing Harry's longing to have someone look after him as Ron had people who cared about him to wave him goodbye. I also think that he is reflecting on companionship that he never had and I think he is learning about a family dynamic that he's never experienced before. In addition, I think he realtes to ginny because she is longing to go to Hogwarts just like he is.

-Why do you think Malfoy tries to make friends with Harry in this chapter? We know that the Malfoy's were loyal to the Dark Lord, and Harry brought about his downfall. Do Malfoy's actions here seem odd to anyone else?

I just thought that he wanted Harry to be his friend so that he could say that he was friends with Harry Potter. I don't think he actually wanted a genuine friendship. To me it seemed more like he wanted to use Harry.

-What do you think of the way Harry met the Weasleys?
I think it was a wonderful thing. Mrs. Weasley treated him like he was her son and Harry always needed a mother or mother like figure. And everyone in the family liked Harry and the Weasleys were great peolpe. They didn't judge peolpe by who they were but by their personalities.

-Do you think there is romantic symbolism in Ginny running along the platform and Harry gazing back? We know JKR's parents met at a train station, so this is something to think about.
Yes but I think Harry was Just to understand why he done it. I think he liked Ginny from the first time he saw her. And after being with Cho finally made him know what he wanted and what he wanted was to be with Ginny.

-Why do you think Malfoy tries to make friends with Harry in this chapter? We know that the Malfoy's were loyal to the Dark Lord, and Harry brought about his downfall. Do Malfoy's actions here seem odd to anyone else?

I think it was because when the time came and then he could get Harry to join ranks with Voldemort and then purebloods can take over. Draco is a coward to so having Harry as a friend could help him.

What do you think of the way Harry met the Weasleys?
Harry met the Weasleys in this chapter, which I found highly annoying. I think the way Mrs. Weasley was so nice and embarrassing was very fake. I would have liked to see something more weird and scary about them, so that Harry didn't want to talk to them. Also the way everything went so smoothly with it, Harry seemed afraid but non the less still believed, I would have liked to see some more lasting doubt on Harry's behalf.

-Do you think there is romantic symbolism in Ginny running along the platform and Harry gazing back? We know JKR's parents met at a train station, so this is something to think about.
I think not. Harry didn't have any interest in girls then and i don't think JK was ready to give out any clues that early on in the books. Maybe t was just there to give the effect of Harris pure jealousy of the family. It was quite clear through out the books that Harry would have very much liked to be a Weasley.

-Why do you think Malfoy tries to make friends with Harry in this chapter? We know that the Malfoy's were loyal to the Dark Lord, and Harry brought about his downfall. Do Malfoy's actions here seem odd to anyone else?

Maybe malfoy saw protection and acceptance in Harry. If Draco and Harry had become friends they together would have been the most powerful first years there. That as we know would attract Draco enormously.

What do you think of the way Harry met the Weasleys?
Wonderful. I think, that if Harry had not been 'famous' and Mrs Weasely had been so lovely to him, it would have been quite strange. But as he was famous, and she knew him (not personally) she probably guessed he was a decent person. From the very first moment they al met, they clicked. I think every reader immediatley like the Weasely's, and I think that was JKR's intention.

Do you think there is romantic symbolism in Ginny running along the platform and Harry gazing back? We know JKR's parents met at a train station, so this is something to think about.
I think the fact that JKR's parents met at a train station is very important. Firstly, although Harry never really was interested in Ginny at the start, I think there was always a connection. I personally feel she reminded him of his mother- later on in the books. She was obviously smitten with him firstly, and as she says in the sixth book, her feelings never really went away. I think JKR planned this from the beginning. It also helps that Harry was so close with all the other Weasely's. Nothing really could be wrong with their relationship.

Why do you think Malfoy tries to make friends with Harry in this chapter? We know that the Malfoy's were loyal to the Dark Lord, and Harry brought about his downfall. Do Malfoy's actions here seem odd to anyone else?
Yes, I think so. I think there was always doubt in his mind, as to weather he really wanted to be on Voldemort's side. Like in the sixth book, when he hesitates before attempting to kill Dumbledore. I think, as Harry was famous, Malfoy would feel more accepted if he and Harry were a 'team.' Together they would have been very popular within the school. Also, if he really did want to fight on Voldemort's side, it would be good to have Harry close.