Blog Post #1 Response: Great Expectations (Prompt 2)

Throughout the first two Harry Potter books, there are many expectations raised that go unfulfilled. The first one that comes to mind in "The Sorcerer's Stone" is the fact that leading up to the end of the book, Professor Snape is portrayed as the one trying to help Voldemort steal the Sorcerer's Stone. Every time Harry learns a new clue about the Sorcerer's Stone, something Snape does always makes him look suspicious. As the book ends, Harry and the readers find out that Snape was actually trying to protect the stone the entire time. Professor Quirrell was the one that was helping Voldemort out, which nobody but Snape suspected.

An expectation that was raised in "The Chamber of Secrets" was that Draco Malfoy was the heir of Slytherin and he was the one attacking the students. Every time a student got attacked Draco would become happier and more excited. It was a common fact that Draco hated Mudbloods, and those were the only students being attacked. All the signs were pointing to Draco but Harry soon finds out that Draco does not know who the true heir of Slytherin is. Once Harry finds out the truth about Draco, the mystery gets even deeper because know he has no clue who it could be.  

These choices to raise expectations of the reader are important to keep the story a mystery. It keeps the story interesting, exciting, and the reader is kept on their toes. If the reader knew everything that was going on then it probably wouldn't be very fun to read.