There are a few expectations that do not come to fruition in
the first two books. The first and most obvious is that Professor Snape is
trying to steal the Sorcerer’s Stone, while another one is the identity of the
heir of Slytherin who is opening the Chamber of Secrets. The idea of Snape
stealing the stone is supported by a few bits of evidence (cuts to his leg, conversation
in the hidden forest) that go on until the very end of the book, when we find out
that it is in fact Professor Quirrell. Draco being the heir of Slytherin (talk
of the mudbloods “cleansing”, he is in Slytherin) is one that last until the
trio drinks the polyjuice potion and talk to him. Harry is an idea that lasts a
bit longer (he’s a Parseltongue, Justin Finch petrified) but we don’t find out
who actually is the heir until the end of the book when we find out it is
Voldemort.
Building up of these expectations and promptly tearing them
down serves two main purposes in my mind. The first is that not everything is
as it seems especially the true motives behind the characters. This idea is
fleshed out most prominently in Snape in the Sorcerer’s Stone. The hatred Snape
has for Harry is blatant whether it is belittling him in Potions class or muttering
to himself while Harry’s broom is going crazy in the Quidditch match. But in
fact it comes out that it was Quirrell who was messing with Harry’s broom, and
Snape was in fact muttering a countercharm. The second is more of a necessary
tool in mystery novels, and that is the fact that if everything is predictable
the reading experience is less enjoyable. The plot twists and surprises are
what make a mystery novel great and it is something the Rowling employs very
well throughout the entire series.
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