Muggles' Guide to Harry Potter/Books/Goblet of Fire/Chapter 6
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Chapter 6 of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: The Portkey
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[edit] Synopsis
It is far too early the next morning when Harry is awakened by Mrs. Weasley. He, Ron, Ginny, Hermione, and the twins are travelling with Mr. Weasley, while Percy, Bill, and Charlie will go on their own. Fred and George want to know why they cannot Apparate like the older boys, but Mr. Weasley says they do not have their licenses yet, and without training, they would probably get splinched—leaving parts of themselves behind. Ginny and Hermione complain about getting up so early, but Mr. Weasley explains that they have a bit of a walk ahead. Harry asks if they are walking to the Quidditch World Cup. Mr. Weasley starts to explain, but is interrupted by Mrs. Weasley, who discovers Ton-Tongue Toffees hidden in George's pockets, which she angrily confiscates using the "Accio" charm.
Mrs. Weasley, who is staying behind, remains in a bad humour as they leave. As the group walks in the chilly morning, Mr. Weasley explains that there was a huge logistical problem in locating a place where the approximately one hundred thousand wizards could gather. The Ministry of Magic had to create a stadium in the backwoods and charm it to look unappealing to Muggles. There was also the problem of transporting people, and arrivals have to be carefully timed and planned so they will attract little attention. Additionally, two hundred Portkeys have been located around Britain. They are going to Stoatshead Hill to use the Portkey that has been placed there.
When they arrive at Stoatshead Hill, they meet Cedric Diggory, and his father, Amos. Mr. Diggory makes a big fuss over his son being the Seeker in the only Quidditch match in which Harry's team was beaten the previous year, although Cedric is more modest. Mr. Weasley asks if there are any others coming. Mr. Diggory says the Lovegoods have already left, and the Fawcetts were unable to get tickets, and that is everyone in the vicinity. Mr. Weasley checks his watch and has everyone hold onto an old boot that Mr. Diggory has found. As the countdown reaches zero, Harry feels himself being yanked rapidly through the air and lands hard on the ground. A voice says "Seven past five from Stoatshead Hill."
[edit] Analysis
While the Quidditch World Cup may seem more like an interesting and fun diversion to open the story, its importance in introducing a critical theme, mutual cooperation, cannot be overemphasized. The World Cup is far more than a mere sporting event; it is a means to unite wizards from many countries. Organizing such a huge international event is a massive venture, requiring extensive planning, collaboration, and coordination among the world's magical populations. It is probably the most difficult wizard undertaking to be kept hidden from Muggles, although, as will be seen, there are occasional security leaks. And while there are the usual rivalries among the teams and fans, it is the commonly shared passion for the sport that bonds the magical community together in a peaceful setting that helps build lasting global recognition, understanding, and harmony. Although Harry relishes this experience, he still fails to realize that if Voldemort is to be defeated, it must be accomplished through a similarly united effort, and not by one person alone.
It is Rowling's attention to detail that helps make the Harry Potter series such an intriguing adventure. One hundred thousand wizards are expected to attend the World Cup. Exactly how do so many people travel to such an event without alarming Muggles or revealing the Wizarding world's existence? Harry's introduction to the Portkey demonstrates one way wizards are transported, although, as readers have seen, there are other methods, although each has limitations. The author's explanation as to how this particular logistical puzzle is managed, while not critical to the storyline here, shows an awareness of her characters' needs and makes the story more complex, textured, and believable. Readers, however, should make a mental note regarding how Portkeys work.
The Lovegood family is mentioned for the first time, although none are actually seen. The author often introduces characters, objects, or places by name prior to their actual appearance, often several books before. Sirius Black was first mentioned in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone but did not appear until Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban where he played a crucial role. Rowling may want readers to have a early indication that some seemingly insignificant characters may become important later in the storyline.
[edit] Questions
[edit] Review
- Why is Mrs. Weasley angry at finding a toffee in George's pocket?
- How does the Ministry keep the arrival of over one hundred thousand wizards secret from Muggles?
- Why does Mr. Diggory make such a big fuss about Cedric?
[edit] Further Study
- Why would Mrs. Weasley stay behind?
- Considering the logistical difficulties, why does the Wizarding community choose to undertake such a huge international event?
[edit] Greater Picture
We are given a better introduction to Cedric Diggory, who will have a significant role in this book. Cedric strongly believes in playing fair, to the extent that he offered to replay the Quidditch match against Gryffindor (in the previous book); he felt Hufflepuff's win was invalid because the Dementors interfered. His strong ethical sense will play a strong role in the upcoming Triwizard competition. We can already see differences between Cedric and his father, Amos, and it may be interesting to compare their personalities throughout the book. It is possible that Cedric and Amos are intended as a contrast to Harry's feelings about his own father, James. Cedric and Amos are quite different people; though both are competitive, Cedric steadfastly believes that honesty and fair competition is paramount, while Amos shades more towards the Slytherin view that advantages should be taken. Although Harry should be able to see from this that fathers and sons can be quite different from one another, he is apparently unable to apply this lesson to himself.
We are also shown the Accio spell, which is used for summoning items. Harry will use Accio in the Triwizard Tournament, and it will be used repeatedly throughout the rest of the series.
The Portkey, which wizards use to travel from one location to another, becomes a device that will unexpectedly transport Harry and Cedric Diggory into a deadly situation. Creating Portkeys is apparently regulated by the Ministry. Perhaps this is why Portkeys are only used seven times in the entire series: four times in this book (to the World Cup and back, and to the cemetery and back), twice in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (from Dumbledore's office to Headquarters, and from the Ministry to Dumbledore's office), and once in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (from the Tonks' house to The Burrow). The Floo Network and Disapparating seem to be more common transportation methods, though, as Mr. Weasley points out, many wizards avoid Disapparating because Splinching is an inherent risk.
Luna Lovegood, the Trio's rather odd schoolmate and future fellow Dumbledore's Army member, will be introduced in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. The family also includes Luna's widowed father, Xenophillius, who appears in the last book. The Lovegoods will be invited to Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour's wedding, which will play a significant part in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Both characters play important roles in that book.
