Muggles' Guide to Harry Potter/Books/Deathly Hallows/Chapter 22
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Chapter 22 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: The Deathly Hallows
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[edit] Synopsis
Hermione, as she sets the protective spells, explains that she wanted the Death Eaters to see Harry so that they would know that Xenophilius Lovegood had not lied to them. Ron had to remain hidden because he is supposed to be confined at home with Spattergroit; if Luna is being held captive for her fathers' behaviour, what would the Death Eaters do to Ron's family if they knew he was not where the Weasleys claimed he was? As for her own parents, they are safe in Australia, their memories modified.
Back in their tent, Hermione complains that visiting Xeno Lovegood was a waste. She discounts the three brothers fairy tale, but Harry is drawn to it. Being able to conquer death and not be killed by Voldemort pulls on his imagination and gives him hope. Ron agrees with Harry; it would be hard to fabricate such a story while under intense pressure, which Xeno certainly was, trying to keep Harry there. Ron also points out that it was Hermione who said there was significant evidence supporting the Elder Wand's existence. Hermione counters that the dead cannot be brought back to life, but Harry remembers his father and mother, and Cedric emerging from Voldemort's wand. Seeing both Hermione and Ron eyeing him warily as he talks about resurrecting the dead, he instead asks about the Peverells. Hermione says they are among the oldest Wizarding families recorded, but the male line died out a long time ago. There could be female descendants who did not bear the Peverell name. Harry suddenly recalls where he has heard the name: Marvolo Gaunt, You-know-who's grandfather, had shown the Ministry representative a ring bearing the Peverell symbol as proof of their ancestry. Harry decides that the ring, that bears scratches is the Deathly Hallows symbol, is in fact the Resurrection Stone. He also remembers that Dumbledore had James' Invisibility Cloak on the night James died, and leaps to the conclusion that Dumbledore was examining it because it was a Hallow. Harry remembers the tale of the Three Brothers' conclusion and wonders, if the holder of the three Hallows can master Death, is this what it will come to? Him against Voldemort? Hallows against Horcruxes? He also guesses that Dumbledore left him the Snitch in his will because the ring is inside.
Harry realizes that Voldemort must be searching for the Elder Wand to defeat Harry. Voldemort has probably never heard the Tales of Beedle the Bard, but knows about the Elder Wand, the Hallow that cannot hide itself, and seeks it to destroy Harry's wand. Hermione is still unsure. Both she and Ron believe that Harry is making a fairy tale into reality, and they believe he should only follow Dumbledore's clear instructions to destroy Horcruxes. Over the next week, however, Harry becomes obsessed with the Deathly Hallows. He is certain the Resurrection Stone is somehow hidden inside the Snitch, but he is still unable to open it or understand its cryptic inscription, "I open at the close." Ron and Hermione want Harry to concentrate on the Horcruxes rather than the Deathly Hallows.
Gradually, Ron takes charge of the expedition, suggesting new places to search. One night in March, he is finally able to tune in the wireless to "Potterwatch", the radio show he has been looking for since Christmas. Produced by Lee Jordan, "Potterwatch" is the only wireless program that reports the truth; everyone else toes the Ministry line. Tonight Lee reports on the deaths of Ted Tonks, Dirk Cresswell, and the goblin Gornuk. Dean Thomas and a second goblin are believed to have escaped. Lee also mentions that Bathilda Bagshot is dead. Following his report, Kingsley Shacklebolt speaks about Muggle casualties, and issues a plea to assist them from the depredations of Death Eaters. Lupin then explains why he is certain Harry is alive. Following this, there is an opinion piece by either Fred or George about how "You-know-who" cannot be everywhere he is reported, as there would have to be about nineteen of him. Continuing in this humorous vein, he goes on to say that rumours that Voldemort can kill by looking at one are false, apparently people have confused him with a Basilisk, and he closes with a quick lesson in telling the difference. Finally, Lee Jordan takes the microphone back and closes with a plea for calm.
After the show, Harry accidentally speaks Voldemort’s name, causing the protective enchantments around the tent to collapse. Snatchers immediately surround them.
[edit] Analysis
Although Hermione believes the Lovegood visit revealed nothing important and discounts The Three Brothers tale, like the trip to Godric's Hollow, information has been provided that the Trio has yet to realize is important to their mission. The Deathly Hallows will be tied to defeating Voldemort, although Harry's initial interest in them is apart from this. To someone who has lost so many loved ones, a Resurrection Stone is a particularly desirable and seductive object to possess, and Harry reconsiders that magic could reunite him with his parents. And while Hermione wants to stick with Dumbledore's plan to only search for Horcruxes, Harry's continuing fascination with the Hallows will eventually help him work out their significance. Meanwhile, the revelations about Dumbledore's past still troubles Harry, and his faith and trust in his Headmaster continues to waver. Harry also doubts whether Dumbledore ever really cared for him and wonders if he is merely a pawn in Dumbledore's scheme to defeat Voldemort.
Another interesting plot point is highlighted. The Trio agree that Harry's Invisibility Cloak could actually be the one from The Tale of the Three Brothers, which Xenophilius says may have been the Peverells. The youngest brother bequeathed the Cloak to his son. Considering Harry received the Cloak from his father, it is possible that it was handed down to him through the generations, making him a direct descendant from the Peverell line. It is also possible that Harry and Voldemort share a common Peverell ancestor, not that blood ties account for much anymore as wizarding families are ripped apart by Voldemort's war. As seen in Sirius Black's family, close relatives, divided by their blood-purity beliefs and loyalties to Voldemort, will readily disown and even kill one another.
Readers can also see here how Ron's character has undergone a significant change. No longer a passive and insecure follower, his guilt over his brief desertion, as well as Hermione's severe chastisement, have propelled him into a becoming a more mature, confident, and proactive young man who assumes responsibility to guide the mission, relieving Harry and Hermione from many of the day-to-day burdens. From here on, Ron will no longer be content to dwell in others' shadow, and he begins charting his own life's course.
[edit] Questions
[edit] Review
- Why might Harry be interested in the Deathly Hallows? Why do Ron and Hermione think he should only concentrate on Horcruxes?
- How and why does Ron take charge of the mission?
- Was the visit to the Lovegoods a waste as Hermione claims? If not, why?
- How does listening to Potterwatch affect the Trio?
[edit] Extra Study
- Knowing that ghosts exist, why would Hermione be so skeptical about the Resurrection Stone?
- What might the inscription, "I open at the close" mean?
