Muggles' Guide to Harry Potter/Books/Goblet of Fire/Chapter 28
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Chapter 28 of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: The Madness of Mr. Crouch
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[edit] Synopsis
The next day, as Sirius requested, Ron sends a message to Percy asking for any additional information about Mr. Crouch. Then he, Harry, and Hermione, visit the kitchens to give Dobby his socks. Dobby is ecstatic, and Ron takes advantage of his evident joy to ask for any leftover eclairs. Hermione is amazed, as he has just eaten breakfast, but it reminds Harry that Sirius asked for some extra food. Ron also requests some. Hermione asks about Winky, and Dobby points her out sitting by the fire. She is filthy, quite evidently not caring for herself, and apparently drunk. Dobby confides that she is drinking six bottles of Butterbeer a day, pining for her old master, Mr. Crouch. Harry asks Winky if she knows what is wrong with Mr. Crouch, and Winky says Mr. Crouch needs her. Not only did she care for him and his house, Mr. Crouch entrusted her with his greatest secrets. She then passes out on the hearth, and other Elves apologetically cover her up. Hermione is unhappy that the House-elves try cheering her up, but the head kitchen Elf says, "House-elves has no right to be unhappy when there is work to be done and Masters to be served." Hermione embarrasses Dobby when she cites him as an example of how they can be independent. The House-elves, also seemingly embarrassed, push Ron, Harry, and Hermione from the kitchens, along with the extra food they gave them. Ron is convinced the House-elves will never allow them in the kitchens again, while Hermione is upset Ron did nothing to promote House-elf liberation. Harry, tired of their squabbling, takes the extra food to the Owlery by himself and sends it to Sirius. He then relishes the peace, watching Hagrid digging by his hut until night falls.
The next day, Hermione, looking for her new subscription to the Daily Prophet in the post, is surprised to receive many owl letters. It is hate mail, inspired by Rita Skeeter's article about the Harry-Hermione-Viktor "love triangle" in Witch Weekly. One letter contains raw Bubotuber pus, which sends Hermione to the hospital wing with boils on her hands. As Ron and Harry head to Care of Magical Creatures class, they notice Hagrid has numerous open boxes. Ron dreads it might be another Skrewt hatching, but the boxes contain Nifflers. Hagrid has buried some gold, which the Nifflers are attracted to. Each student takes a Niffler, which dive in and out of the freshly turned dirt. Hagrid says that the student whose Niffler returns the most gold at the end of the hour wins a prize. He cautions Goyle not to steal any; it is Leprechaun gold, and it will quickly vanish. Ron's Niffler finds the most gold, winning Ron a slab of Honeyduke's chocolate. As Ron, Harry, and also Hermione, who has returned from the infirmary, head for the castle, Ron suddenly remembers that the gold he gave Harry at the Quidditch World Cup to pay for the omnioculars that summer was Leprechaun gold. Embarrassed that his debt remains unpaid, he asks why Harry never told him it had vanished. When Harry replies he simply never noticed, Ron, quite upset, wishes he could be so rich that he, too, would not notice that a ruddy great lot of gold had simply disappeared.
The hate mail continues. Hermione dares not open it now, but some are Howlers that explode at the table, screaming insults at her. Hermione again wonders how Rita knew about Viktor Krum's invitation, or that Hagrid had told Madame Maxime he was half-Giant. Hermione checks with Professor Moody, who says Skeeter is not using an Invisibility Cloak. Harry suggests Rita may have them electronically bugged, but Hermione says that is impossible. Muggle devices are ineffective at Hogwarts because there is too much magic. She leaves to try and figure it out.
Percy's response to Ron's inquiry about Mr. Crouch does not arrive until the end of Easter break. It is uninformative, reiterating only what was reported in The Daily Prophet. Easter eggs also arrive from Ron's mother, who has sent huge chocolate eggs filled with toffee for Ron and Harry, and only a tiny egg for Hermione. Ron confirms that his mother reads Witch Weekly.
One evening in late May, Professor McGonagall sends Harry to the Quidditch pitch for the meeting about the third Triwizard task. Along the way, Harry meets up with Cedric. Reaching the pitch, Harry is dismayed that it has been transformed into a massive hedge maze. In the center is Ludo Bagman, along with the other Champions, Fleur Delacour and Viktor Krum. Bagman says the Triwizard Cup will be at the center, and there are spells and creatures (provided by Hagrid) they must overcome. The first Champion to reach and touch the Cup receives full marks. Harry is a little concerned, knowing the creatures Hagrid will likely provide. As they exit the maze, Bagman asks for a word with Harry; Viktor Krum also wants to speak to Harry. Guessing what Ludo wants to talk about, Harry chooses to speak with Viktor. Near the Forbidden Forest, Krum asks if Hermione is Harry's girlfriend. Taken aback, Harry assures Viktor they are only friends. As Harry is about to leave, something moves in the Forest behind Krum. Harry draws his wand, but is surprised to see Mr. Crouch, who has apparently gone insane. He is talking to a tree he believes is Percy Weasley. He demands to see Professor Dumbledore. Leaving Krum to guard Mr. Crouch, Harry runs to the castle for help.
Finding the entrance to Dumbledore's office, Harry uses the password, but it no longer works. The entrance suddenly opens to reveal Professor Snape, who says that Dumbledore is too busy for any nonsense. While Harry struggles to get past Snape, the doorway opens again and Dumbledore appears. When Harry reports that Mr. Crouch is on the grounds, Dumbledore asks him to show the way. As they head for the Forbidden Forest, Harry recounts what he saw. With each revelation, Dumbledore moves faster, until they are running. As they arrive, Harry and Dumbledore find that Krum has been Stunned, and Mr. Crouch is gone. Dumbledore sends a message to summon Hagrid, then revives Krum. Viktor says Crouch attacked him from behind. When Hagrid arrives, Dumbledore instructs him to bring Karkaroff and Professor Moody. Moody appears before Hagrid leaves, saying Snape told him where Dumbledore had gone. Dumbledore says it is imperative they find Crouch. Moody pulls out his wand and leaves while Hagrid fetches Karkaroff. When they return, Karkaroff begins ranting that a Triwizard judge attacked his Champion. He claims it is obvious treachery and accuses Dumbledore of complicity. Hagrid loses his temper and, picking up Karkaroff, threatens him. Dumbledore calms Hagrid enough that he sets down Karkaroff. Dumbledore has Hagrid escort Harry to Gryffindor Tower and orders Harry to stay there until morning. Any messages he wants to send can wait until then. Harry wonders how Dumbledore knew he was planning to write to Sirius. As he enters the Tower, he immediately updates Ron and Hermione about what happened.
[edit] Analysis
Prior to this chapter, Dumbledore suspected that there could be a dark plot against Harry, while others simply believed he cheated to enter the Tournament. Now more sinister events are unfolding that seemingly support Dumbledore and that could be threatening Harry and the other Champions, although this may or may not sway the doubters' opinions. Mr. Crouch's behavior, although erratic, indicates he probably knows something so dire that he had to somehow get himself to Hogwarts to warn Dumbledore. His disappearance and the attack on Krum only fuels this speculation. However, it is unclear just who stunned Krum or why or where Mr. Crouch has disappeared. Snape's behavior also seems suspicious here. His attempt to block Harry from reaching Dumbledore's office may indicate he knows something about what has just happened and wants to prevent Dumbledore from immediately finding out, although this may just be his usual dismissiveness regarding anything to do with Harry.
Meanwhile, Hermione's mission to liberate House-elves is stymied again, this time by the Elves who continually resist change, insisting they are happy only when there is work to be done. Scorning Dobby, they believe freedom is shameful, and the pathetic Winky only proves how miserable their lives would become without masters to serve. It is doubtful if Hermione can ever overcome this obstacle. Hermione is also experiencing the full brunt of Rita Skeeter's vicious story about her. Although Hermione had previously brushed it off, she probably never anticipated the hateful backlash that so many strangers are now heaping on her. Skeeter represents how powerful the media is and the way it in which it can easily victimize someone by swaying readers opinions, either with the truth, lies, or both. Curiously, Skeeter's equally slanderous article about Hagrid being a dangerous giant had the opposite effect, with readers rushing to his defense. While many may personally know Hagrid, prompting their support, it seems that Hermione is being unfairly judged by a different standard here, with the public reacting as if she is an "unfaithful hussy" who is two-timing Harry and Viktor, two well-known and admired young wizards. Surprisingly, even Mrs. Weasley believes Skeeter, becoming hostile towards Hermione, despite knowing both her and Harry so well.
Krum's asking Harry if there is anything between him and Hermione is a clear indication that Krum is romantically pursuing her. Krum, like many series fans, mistakenly believes Hermione and Harry are "an item," because Hermione often talks about Harry and (presumably) his exploits. Readers should notice Ron's jealousy over their developing relationship, through this book and the next, and how little the relationship seems to discomfit Harry. It is also interesting how little Ron understands his true feelings for Hermione, even explicitly disclaiming them after the Yule Ball.
Ron struggles with other issues, and the Nifflers episode is a mechanism for him to discover that the Leprechaun gold he paid Harry for the omnioculars had vanished. Harry claiming that he was unaware that it was gone only further upsets Ron, who feels Harry has so much money that he does not even notice when it disappears. The author has stated that this is meant to contrast Harry's relative wealth with the Weasley's ongoing poverty, a situation that Ron abhors and is continually embarrassed about. It also causes him to occasionally resent Harry, although Ron fails to understand that his family's financial woes are unrelated to Harry, nor does Harry ever flaunt his affluence.
One thing to note here also is how Dumbledore summons Hagrid. Dumbledore actually casts and sends a Patronus with a message for Hagrid; this method of dispatching messages was apparently developed by Dumbledore.
[edit] Questions
[edit] Review
- Why would Ludo Bagman want to speak to Harry?
- How does Hermione embarrass Dobby? Was it intentional? What is Dobby's reaction?
- Why is Harry worried about what creatures Hagrid may put in the maze? Is he right to be concerned?
- Why would Mrs. Weasley, who knows Hermione, be angry at her? Is it justified?
- Why would Karkaroff believe that a Triwizard judge and Dumbledore are involved in the attack on Krum? Is there any proof for that?
- Why does Percy Weasley send Ron so little information about Mr. Crouch?
[edit] Further Study
- Why does Harry feel it is safe to meet privately with Krum? They are both Champions; eliminating Harry would improve Krum's chances significantly.
- Why was Viktor Krum Stunned? Who might have done this?
- Why would Mr. Crouch suddenly appear at Hogwarts to see Dumbledore? What might be causing his strange behavior?
- Why would Snape want to prevent Harry from seeing Dumbledore, especially during an emergency?
- What secrets might Mr. Crouch have entrusted to Winky? If these secrets were vital, why would he have discharged her from his house?
- Why is public reaction to Skeeter's story about Hermione so different from what it was about her story on Hagrid? Is Hermione being held to a different standard than Hagrid? If so, explain why and what that standard might be.
- Why is Ron often upset with Harry for having money? Are Ron's feeling justified? What is Harry's reaction?
[edit] Greater Picture
The many hidden events in this chapter are explained in Chapter 35. Barty Crouch was alerted to Mr. Crouch's escape by Voldemort, and using the Marauder's Map, saw Crouch enter the grounds. Concealed under an Invisibility Cloak, Barty Jr. tracked his father to where Harry and Krum found him. After Harry went for help, Barty stunned Krum, killed his father and hid his remains under the Cloak. He then returned as Moody to where he had stunned Krum, claiming Snape told him something was amiss; presumably, he had seen Snape and Harry's altercation on the Map. Later, he buried his father's remains in the same ground the Nifflers had been digging in.
Hermione will discover Rita Skeeter's secret before the end of the book.
The Imperius curse's effects, as shown in this chapter, are apparently inconsistent with what Harry experiences when Professor Moody casts it on him in class, although Moody may have been using a milder version for the in-class demonstration. In Chapter 35, Barty Crouch Jr. states that his father was controlled by Voldemort using the Imperius curse. Both Bartemius Crouch and Voldemort are powerful wizards, and Bartemius was attempting to break the Imperius curse for the past several months. It is now late May, and Voldemort and Wormtail attacked and placed Bartemius under this curse in late August, nine months previously. It is possible that resisting Voldemort for that long damaged Bartemius' mind to the point that he was able to escape Voldemort's control over him. This tallies with Bartemius' disorientation when Harry finds him in the Forbidden Forest. In the next chapter, Voldemort blames Wormtail for Crouch's escape, punishing him severely for his failure.
In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Tonks casts a Patronus and sends it off carrying a message, using the same technique that Dumbledore uses to summon Hagrid in this chapter. The author has stated that this method was invented by Dumbledore, and has only been revealed to members of the Order of the Phoenix; it is used to carry messages between Order members. We will see it used thrice more in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows; once by Kingsley Shacklebolt announcing the fall of the Ministry, and twice by Mr. Weasley, to announce the arrival of the Minister Of Magic at the Burrow, and to reassure the gone-to-ground Ron that the rest of the family is all right.
