Muggles' Guide to Harry Potter/Books/Goblet of Fire/Chapter 13
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Chapter 13 of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: Mad-Eye Moody
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[edit] Synopsis
At breakfast, Fred, George, and Lee Jordan are plotting ways to bypass the Tournament age limit. Hermione decides to eat breakfast, saying there are better ways to promote elf rights. Harry looks for, but does not receive, a message from Sirius Black in the morning post. In their first class, Herbology, with the Hufflepuffs, they are squeezing pus from bubotubers. Their second class is Care of Magical Creatures, with the Slytherins. Hagrid is teaching them to care for Blast-Ended Skrewts. The Skrewts scare the entire class, and Dean Thomas is burned by one, while Lavender Brown discovers some have stingers.
During lunch, Hermione bolts down her meal, then heads for the library, while Harry and Ron wait for the bell and proceed to Divination. Professor Trelawney, with her by-now familiar mystical air, predicts her usual doom for Harry and then announces they will be studying the stars. Trelawney states that Harry's appearance clearly indicates that he was born in midwinter, under the influence of Saturn; Harry replies that he was born in July. Professor Trelawney assigns massive astrology homework.
While queuing for dinner, Draco Malfoy reads aloud from the Daily Prophet. Ron's father is mentioned in an extremely scurrilous article by Rita Skeeter. The article criticizes the Ministry and, in particular, Arthur Weasley, although Skeeter gets his name wrong. An exchange of insults ensues. When Draco attempts to curse Harry behind his back, Professor Moody Transfigures Draco into a white ferret and bounces him off the floor. Professor McGonagall arrives and sternly warns Moody that students are never transfigured as punishment, then transforms Draco back into himself. Moody tells Draco to warn his father that he will be keeping an eye on his son, and comments that they are "old acquaintances." He escorts Draco to his House's Head, Professor Snape, another "old friend." As Ron eats dinner and savors the vision of "Draco Malfoy, the bouncing white ferret", Fred and George and Lee Jordan tell Ron and Harry that, even apart from the Malfoy episode, Moody is quite cool, and his Defence Against the Dark Arts classes are incredible. Mad Eye has actually fought Dark wizards. Ron laments that he must wait until Thursday for Moody's class.
[edit] Analysis
Professor Moody is proving to be an eccentric and unconventional teacher, even more than others that students have seen at Hogwarts. His gruff, rebellious nature is a bit frightening, although he demonstrates a strong sense of fair play when he transfigured Malfoy into a ferret for attempting to curse Harry behind his back. His apparent willingness to flout Ministry rules and teach practical (although dangerous) defensive magic makes his class an instant favorite with students. The Twins' enthusiasm only increases Ron and Harry's eagerness to attend their first session. Readers should perhaps take notice of Moody's hip flask.
It is unlikely that Hermione has abandoned her mission to liberate House-elves, despite deciding against boycotting Hogwarts' meals. Based on her behavior here, she probably realizes she needs a more practical approach for promoting her cause and has dashed off to the library to research a more effective way. For Hermione, an idea that was born in a fit of childish emotion is gradually giving way to a more logical, methodical, and mature reasoning process to achieve her goals. This may be why Hermione was sorted into Gryffindor House rather than Ravenclaw—she actively applies her great intellect to achieve specific goals, combining her intelligence with bravery, initiative, persistence, and occasional rule-breaking, even when others strongly disapprove, are indifferent, or mock her. This is unlike the cerebral Ravenclaws, who, although they are known for their high intelligence, tend to be more introspective and less proactive. If Hermione had been sorted into Ravenclaw, frequent conflicts with her housemates would likely have occurred.
Fred and George's attempts to by-pass the Tournament's age limit are likely futile, but their continual attempts to experiment with and create new magic shows, despite their poor academic record, just how talented, powerful, and resourceful these clever young wizards actually are; they have already invented many new and innovative spells, charms, and jinxes, and they are well on their way to opening their own unique joke shop, if they can secure the financing. The Twins are a stark contrast to Harry and Ron, who, to date, have tended only to study the required O.W.L.-level curriculum and have not yet shown the initiative or ability to create new magic. This does not mean they are incapable or lack talent, however. Harry, being a latecomer to the wizarding world, still has much general knowledge to learn that most wizard children have been exposed to since birth. He has also had to cope with many calamities in his life, particularly since he started at Hogwarts. However, his natural ability in Defensive Arts is already apparent and will likely inspire him to experiment once he becomes more proficient in general magic; he has already learned more defensive spells than most students know when they leave Hogwarts. Hermione, a latecomer like Harry, also shows little inclination to experiment; instead, she concentrates on mastering traditional spells that are within prescribed academic boundaries while nurturing her inquisitive mind with books, although this will likely change as she matures. Ron, meanwhile, still feels too intimidated and overshadowed by his magically accomplished family, even Ginny, who is already developing into a powerful witch.
[edit] Questions
[edit] Review
- Why does Trelawney say Harry was born in mid-winter when it was she who once made a prophecy (that is revealed to Harry in Order of the Phoenix) that he would, "be born as the seventh month dies"?
- Why does Rita Skeeter particularly criticize Arthur Weasley in her articles about the World Cup riots?
- Why does Hagrid's Care of Magical Creatures class often feature animals that are mildly dangerous and that frighten (and occasionally injure) students?
- What does Moody mean when he refers to Snape and Lucius Malfoy as "old acquaintances"?
[edit] Further Study
- Why does Hermione decide against boycotting meals prepared by House-elves? Is she giving up on her plan to liberate House-elves or might she be planning something else and what might that be?
- Despite knowing how difficult Dobby's life was after Harry liberated him, why has Hermione given such little thought to how House-elves would fare if they were freed? What obstacles would they face?
[edit] Greater Picture
We again see Rita Skeeter's poisonous brand of writing in this chapter. As mentioned previously, Rita and her journalistic style will play a role in this and future books in the series.
Hermione's concerns for the wellbeing of the House-Elves will shortly result in her creating an organization, the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare, which will prove a relatively minor plot point in this book. Hermione's investigations into the status of house-elves at Hogwarts will lead her to Dobby and Winky, both of whom are working in the Hogwarts kitchens as Free Elves. While it will play little role in future books, the welfare of non-human magical races will remain a concern of Hermione's throughout the rest of the series.
