I think the reason the traps were less defensive is because Dumbledore wanted to slow the thief down, and then trap them with the mirror (as they would never be able to get the stone) rather than actually harm them. He also wanted Harry to get to the end. I think there was always the idea that Dumbl...

Dean Thomas How did your character cope with the revisions? Was your character just happy to get them done or were there some wishes (like Hermione had) to go over them again, mentally, and talk about them? I’m so happy that we’re finally done with all our exams! I’m not as big a swot as Hermione o...

Dean Thomas If your character had ended up going to Madam Pomfrey, for what would it have been? I had to visit the hospital wing to see Madam Pomfrey for the first time today. It all started when we saw the first quidditch match of the season-I thought it looked so cool the way the players were zoo...

I think Norbert was brought into the story for a couple reasons. Firstly, as mentioned later in the book, Hagrid getting the dragon egg was a ploy for Quirrell to find out how to get past Fluffy the three headed dog. He also led to Harry getting detention by trying to get rid of him, causing Harry t...

Dean Thomas What were your character's thoughts on their house's first Quidditch match of the season? How did they show support for their team? I got to see my first quidditch match yesterday and it was absolutely brilliant! My and my Gryffindor year mates made a banner to support Harry-I drew the ...

I think Dumbledore stored the Mirror of Erised in a disused classroom because he wanted Harry to find it. He gave Harry the invisibility cloak when he did so Harry would go exploring and hopefully stumble across the classroom. Dumbledore needed Harry to understand what the mirror did if he decided t...

I think I wouldn’t have been anywhere near as reckless as Harry was, I was pretty shy and introverted at 11 so avoided confrontation- I would have agreed with Hermione's perspective, but wouldn’t have voiced it. Reading the books as an adult, I think Harry acts this way as he has never had a support...

Dean Thomas What were your character's first impressions of Hogwarts? I got my first view of Hogwarts castle when we were crossing the lake-in boats that moved by themselves! It looks really cool and is absolutely massive. I can’t believe I actually get to live here. When we were waiting to get sor...

I love Hagrid as a character, but on reflection I’m not sure he was necessarily the most responsible person to introduce Harry to the magical world. Like prof. Sindor mentioned, giving Dudley a pigs tail probably wasn’t the best idea, especially as there was a chance they could have taken it out on ...

Dean Thomas How old was your character when they first visited Diagon Alley? What were their first impressions and which shop did they like best? I was 11 when I visited Diagon Alley for the first time, just after receiving my Hogwarts letter. I’m really glad Professor McGonagal came with me and my...

I definitely think starting the story in the muggle world added to the mystery. Following Vernons day, and seeing the aftermath of Voldemort's demise through his eyes was a really fun way to start the book, especially the first time reading it, trying to work out how this horrible man has anything t...

Dean Thomas What was your characters childhood like? Growing up, I didn’t know anything about magic. My dad died when I was a baby, so it was just me and mum for a few years, until she met my stepdad when I was four. I had a pretty great childhood, alongside my four half-siblings, my parents were i...

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From The Count of Monte Christo By Alexander Dumas

Learning does not make one learned:there are those that have knowledge and those that have understanding

From A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens:

…a fragment of an underdone potato…

From The Hunger Games: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins:

There are much worse games to play

From Peter Pan by JM Barrie:

Never say goodbye because goodbye means going away and going away means forgetting.

From Frankenstein by Mary Shelly

beware, for I am fearless and therefore powerful

From Catch 22 by Joseph Heller:

Anything worth dying for is certainly worth living for

From Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carol:

Every adventure requires a first step