Chapter 6: The Journey from Platform Nine and Three Quarters

[Nurvingiel]

Characters:

Harry Potter
Dudley, Vernon, and Petunia Dursley
Draco Malfoy
Hagrid
Hedwig

New:

Ron, Ginny, Fred, George, Percy and Molly Weasley
Hermione Granger
Neville Longbottom
Vincent Crabbe
Gregory Goyle


Synopsis:

Harry’s acceptance marks a positive change in his life, though not without cost. While he is no longer shouted at, bossed around, or forced to sleep in a cupboard, the Dursleys instead pretend he does not exist. Harry passes his time in his room with Hedwig, reading his school books.

Uncle Vernon agrees to drive Harry to King’s Cross station so Harry can take the train to school. Dudley will also have the pig’s tail removed in London, before he goes to his own school, Smeltings.

The Dursleys leave Harry at King’s Cross standing between platforms nine and ten. Harry is completely stranded until he hears people with owls discussing Muggles. Harry approaches the family, who turn out to be the Weasleys (minus Arthur, Bill, and Charlie).

Mrs. Weasley kindly explains to Harry how to get onto the platform, and he and Ron follow Percy, Fred, and George. On the train, Harry and the Weasley boys are introduced. They’re impressed that he defeated Voldemort and want to see his scar. Harry is a bit embarassed at this unusual attention.

Fred, George, and Percy disperse and Ron and Harry have a compartment to themselves. Harry buys an assortment of cakes, pastries and sweets which he shares with his new friend.

Harry’s life is really taking a turn for the better here. He’s safely on the train, has made his first real friend, and is starting to enjoy some of the benefits of magic (namely, stupendous food and Chocolate Frog cards).

Harry and Ron meet Hermione and Neville, who are looking for Neville’s toad. They are also visited by Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle. Draco is incredibly rude to Ron, then in his own way, offers friendship to Harry. Harry refuses, and Draco and his cronies leave nastily. Ron and Harry’s friendship is cemented for life.

It is now nighttime, and Ron and Harry change into their school robes. The train has arrived, and all the first years are ushered off the train by Hagrid, who gives them their first taste of Hogwarts.

They are led down a dark, winding path to a large lake. They then pile into small boats, four at a time, which takes them across the lake to an underground harbour. As they sail, they are treated to incredible views of Hogwarts castle, which has many towers and rises majestically on a cliff. Hagrid finds Neville’s toad, then they all climb up a passageway to Hogwarts front door. Hagrid knocks three times on the door; they have arrived at Hogwarts.


Discussion Points: Serious Character Flaws?

Disclaimer: I know that Rowling has written us creative and wonderful fantasy books. I am perfectly aware of their fantasy status, but she has also set them in “Muggle” England, and thus I feel these are perfectly valid character flaws:

1. What the hell is wrong with the Dursleys!? They abandon an eleven-year-old boy at a busy London train station with no money, a huge trunk he can barely move, and an owl. Harry has also expressed to his uncle that he knows absolutely nothing about the location of his school, only that he must take a train at eleven. The Dursleys are convinced this train doesn’t exist, and yet, they leave him there. What is wrong with these people?

I realise they are nasty people who emotionally and verbally abuse Harry on a daily basis, but by abandoning him at the train station, do you think Rowling has made the Dursleys’ characters even more abominable and morally bankrupt than she intended?

2. Dumbledore seems to have overlooked the fact that Muggles, until receiving the acceptance letter, have no knowledge whatsoever of Hogwarts or the Wizarding world. Harry’s difficulties at the platform would have been a total disaster had he not overheard the Weasleys. Shouldn’t the Headmaster of a magical school that accepts Muggle-born wizards plan for this scenario?

The lack of planning suggests a deep bias against Muggles, or that wizards are totally ignorant of the Muggle world. (Though Dumbledore, who also has a scar in the shape of a London Underground map on his knee, does not strike me as ignorant of anything.)

3. Why did Hermione’s parents (and other Muggle parents who care for their children’s safety) ship her to a heretofore unknown school, solely based on a letter delivered by an owl?

(I don’t want this section to come across as too negative. I really, really love this book, and that’s why I think about it a lot. Perhaps a bit too much. )

Discussion Points: Character Growth

1. Harry chooses to be friends with Ron, and not with Draco. This choice effects the outcome of the entire book. Discuss the effects of their friendship, as well as possible scenarios that might have ensued had Harry decided to be friends with Draco.

2. Harry places a lot of trust in Mrs. Weasley. He takes her at her word when she tells him to run headlong into a solid brick column. Discuss Harry’s ability to place his trust in the right people, at the right time.

General Points for Discussion:

1. On Dumbledore’s Chocolate Frog card, it mentions his defeat of Grindelwald in 1945. Do you think this date is meant to suggest that there was magical involvement in World War II, or is it simply to indicate how freaking old Dumbledore is?

2. This chapter, like the entire book, is full of funny scenes and lines. My favourites:

George to Ginny:
“We’ll send you a Hogwarts toilet seat.”

And Ron, about Neville looking for his toad:
“Don’t know why he’s so bothered. If I’d brought a toad I’d lose it as quick as I could. Mind you, I brought Scabbers, so I can’t talk.”

What are your favourite scenes or lines?

3. Feel free to add any other discussion points to this chapter.