*~* Muggles, Welcome to the Burrow! *~*

[lindalinda]

JK Rowling has said that we will hear more about Petunia in book 7 (I think the exact was that she has "more than meets the eye"). When someone asked on her website whether Petunia was a witch, she said that Petunia has never done and will never do magic. (I guess that doesn't exactly say that she is not a witch, but we do know that Lilly got a letter to Hogwarts and Petunia didn't). I can't think of where I read it, but I think I also read that she said Dudley was not a wizard (I think it was in an interview, not on her website).

Well that busts another theory then, I thought maybe petunia was the one that JK said would do magic late in life. Guess maybe thats Filch then?

 

[va32h]

Actually, the Vanishing Cabinet seemed pretty prominent in OotP, since it was Fred and George's parting shot to Montague (along with the swamp). I agree that knowing that it would lead to DD's demise was a shock, but it was pretty prominent.

Sharon

PS Probably "prominent" was not really accurate, but knowing how JKR leaves clues, which in retrospect seem extremely important, the VC's appearance in HBP seemed appropriate.

I was thinking of when she first mentioned it in CoS. Harry is skulking around the castle under the Invisibility Cloak for some reason, I forget why, and Filch is about to catch him when Nearly Headless Nick provides a distraction by knocking over the Vanishing Cabinet and breaking it. That's how it ends up in the Room of Requirment!

I just thought that was incredibly cool of her to carry that through to the end.

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

OOTP PG 399 (paperback). I remembered something about the coins they used during the DA lessons and that was when someone asked. However, in SS it sounded as if the hat was on and off, quickly, so that made it confusing.

I am going to ask DH for the book you mentioned, LilIrishChick, for Valentine's Day. (Now I know there is something wrong with my world.)

Sharon

it's a really great book! it's got so many theories, some i never even THOUGHT of.

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

Oh I am so pathetic. But it's in OoTP, when Hermione makes the coins for the DA and uses the Protean charm. The Ravenclaws are really impressed and wonder why she's not in their House. Hermione says the sorting hat considered Ravenclaw but in the end decided Gryffindor.

Perhaps Hermione was just making that up to be kind...

The Hat did call out Gryffindor right away, but I do tend to cut JKR some slack though - she does a remarkable job of keeping continuity in the books, and a little slipup here and there is bound to happen.

When I think of some of my favorite tv shows (I'm looking at you ER) where they can't keep continuity from episode to episode for pity's sake - the fact that JKR can do something like use the Vanishing Cabinet briefly referenced in Book 2 as a pivotal plot point in book 6 is just really impressive.

i thought it was OOTP thanks! i knew i wasn't crazy......well....i mean crazy in the sense that i can't remember those kind of things. lol

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

Well that busts another theory then, I thought maybe petunia was the one that JK said would do magic late in life. Guess maybe thats Filch then?

i'm betting on Mrs. Figg

 

[Daxx]

I thought maybe petunia was the one that JK said would do magic late in life. Guess maybe thats Filch then?

While JKR has confirmed that Petunia is not a witch (nor Dudley b/c otherwise, he'd be in Hogwarts), that leaves us w/ a few other choices inc. Filch, Arabella and Hagrid.

Just b/c the person will do magic "late in life" doesn't mean they are a squib (can't do magic at all). At this point, if I'm not mistaken, Hagrid isn't allowed to do any magic. His wand was broken when he was booted out of Hogwarts. While Hagrid's wand is still hidden in his umbrella and although he gave Dudley a pig's tail, he told Harry not to mention that b/c he wasn't allowed to do magic. Perhaps, Hagrid will be allowed a wand (aside from the one hidden in his umbrella) and the ability to do magic at this late stage of his life.

My money's on Hagrid.

 

[va32h]

While JKR has confirmed that Petunia is not a witch (nor Dudley b/c otherwise, he'd be in Hogwarts), that leaves us w/ a few other choices inc. Filch, Arabella and Hagrid.

Just b/c the person will do magic "late in life" doesn't mean they are a squib (can't do magic at all). At this point, if I'm not mistaken, Hagrid isn't allowed to do any magic. His wand was broken when he was booted out of Hogwarts. While Hagrid's wand is still hidden in his umbrella and although he gave Dudley a pig's tail, he told Harry not to mention that b/c he wasn't allowed to do magic. Perhaps, Hagrid will be allowed a wand (aside from the one hidden in his umbrella) and the ability to do magic at this late stage of his life.

My money's on Hagrid.

Hagrid has done magic since then. He helped Harry extinguish his hut when it was on fire at the end of Half Blood Prince.

I thought that JKR said someone would do magic late in life under desperate circumstances. I do think Filch is a good possibility - if Hogwart's were under attack (which is entirely possible in book 7) Filch would defend it.

But it could be Arabella Figg, too. She's involved in the Order, and since Harry's protection at 4 Privet Drive will come to and end just as book 7 is beginning, perhaps some Death Eaters will pay Harry a birthday visit and Mrs. Figg will be in the neighborhood to come to the rescue?

 

[HomeSweetDisney]

I am leaning towards Mrs. Figg. While Hagrid is certainly a possibility, he just doesn't make as much sense. He was born with magic and was a student at Hogwarts. The only reason he doesn't do magic now is because he isn't supposed to. That hasn't stopped him from using it on occasion though. Mrs. Figg on the other hand, was born a squib. So her developing her powers later in life would make more sense.

And my two cents on Petunia Dursley: I think her disgust for all things magical has a lot to do with her feelings of jealous and inadequacy. In the very first book when Harry finds out he is a wizard, she talks about her "perfect" sister and how their parents were so proud of Lily. She says it with so much contempt and I think the underlying emotion there is jealousy. She felt very left out of her sister's world and maybe even felt her parents didn't think as much of her because she wasn't a witch. I think that is a normal adolescent reaction. Now, here's my theory: I think she may have outgrown that IF she hadn't married Vernon who is a man very much afraid of the unknown and familiar and reacts with snobbery and contempt. I think her feelings about witchcraft were exacerbated by that. But deep down, I honestly think she feels regret for how she treated her sister and taking Harry in and keeping him under their roof was perhaps her way of seeking just a little bit of forgiveness. And maybe those feelings she has are the reason why being in the Dursley home offers Harry so much protection.

I really wish JKR would give us some more backstory on Lily and Petunia's relationship. I think that would be fascinating.

 

[SueM in MN]

I am leaning towards Mrs. Figg. While Hagrid is certainly a possibility, he just doesn't make as much sense. He was born with magic and was a student at Hogwarts. The only reason he doesn't do magic now is because he isn't supposed to. That hasn't stopped him from using it on occasion though. Mrs. Figg on the other hand, was born a squib. So her developing her powers later in life would make more sense.

And my two cents on Petunia Dursley: I think her disgust for all things magical has a lot to do with her feelings of jealous and inadequacy. In the very first book when Harry finds out he is a wizard, she talks about her "perfect" sister and how their parents were so proud of Lily. She says it with so much contempt and I think the underlying emotion there is jealousy. She felt very left out of her sister's world and maybe even felt her parents didn't think as much of her because she wasn't a witch. I think that is a normal adolescent reaction. Now, here's my theory: I think she may have outgrown that IF she hadn't married Vernon who is a man very much afraid of the unknown and familiar and reacts with snobbery and contempt. I think her feelings about witchcraft were exacerbated by that. But deep down, I honestly think she feels regret for how she treated her sister and taking Harry in and keeping him under their roof was perhaps her way of seeking just a little bit of forgiveness. And maybe those feelings she has are the reason why being in the Dursley home offers Harry so much protection.

I really wish JKR would give us some more backstory on Lily and Petunia's relationship. I think that would be fascinating.

I agree with you about Petunia (although if she really wanted forgiveness, maybe she could have treated Harry a little better).

I'm betting on Filch - even though he was taking correspondence courses for squibs to develop magic, it didn't seem to help. I do think he might be able to do something under dire circumstances (and he would be really surprised it worked).
Mrs. Figg, on the other hand, seems to have a very defeatist attitude toward doing any magic. Kind of like "I've never been able to, so no point in trying". (I am reading Order of the Phoenix to my youngest DD and just read the point where Mrs. Figg has come upon Harry after he had defeated the Dementors). She would be very surprised to be able to do anything, but I think she might be able to given the right attitude - so she is a good bet too.

 

[tw1nsmom]

I'm pretty sure Hagrid is allowed to do magic now. Wasn't he found to be not guilty when they found out it was actually Tom Riddle who opened up the Chamber of Secrets? I don't think he could have been a professor if he was still banned from magic.

My money is still on Petunia as the person who does magic late in life. Maybe not traditional magic, but maybe the kind of magic associated with love. I know, I know, she's the last person you think of when you think of love, but JKR did say that there was more to Petunia.

I'm really not that great at this guessing stuff, but it's fun to ponder.

 

[jenr812]

Checking in I hope to be able to catch up soon!

 

[HomeSweetDisney]

I'm betting on Filch - even though he was taking correspondence courses for squibs to develop magic, it didn't seem to help. I do think he might be able to do something under dire circumstances (and he would be really surprised it worked).
Mrs. Figg, on the other hand, seems to have a very defeatist attitude toward doing any magic. Kind of like "I've never been able to, so no point in trying". (I am reading Order of the Phoenix to my youngest DD and just read the point where Mrs. Figg has come upon Harry after he had defeated the Dementors). She would be very surprised to be able to do anything, but I think she might be able to given the right attitude - so she is a good bet too.

Very good points. And you're right, Filch may be more of a possibility than Mrs. Figg. I don't know why I never really gave him much thought before. It'll be interesting to see who it really turns out to be.

Does anyone have another topic they would like to move on to next? I think we've pretty much exhausted this one. I was thinking maybe we could speculate on what we think the last horcruxes are and why? Or maybe something a little more banal like the relationships we think will take place or how they will come together? What do you all think? Anymore suggestions for a topic?

 

[UnderTheMistletoe]

This is what I think. Voldemort gave several of his horcruxes to trusted DEs to hide. He didn't tell them they were horcruxes, just something extremely valuable. Lucius got the Diary, Bellatrix got something (maybe the cup?), Voldemort keeps Nagini with him always, we still have the unknown horcrux with its unknown keeper, and Regulus got the locket.

I wonder if it's Snape.... We know that Bellatrix and Narcissa called him, "The Dark Lord's most trusted follower." It would make sense then that Snape would have a horcrux. Moreover, Snape was the one that told Voldemort about Trelawney's prophecy and gave him reason to create horcruxes. So, I wonder if there is another horcrux inside Hogwarts? Is Snape protecting it or has he destroyed it? Did Dumbledore know or suspect?

That saving formed a bond between them - After Harry saved Peter Pettigrew, Dumbledore explains that there is a powerful magical bond between Harry and Peter. The same kind of bond existed between Snape and Harry's father. Not only had Snape not saved Harry's father's life in return, Snape's actions led to his death. I think Dumbledore knew about the bond, but Voldemort did not. Dumbledore knew that Snape had chosen what was right.

I think you're onto something important here! I'd all but forgotten that little tidbit. It was in passing, but I tend to agree that this is going to play a role (whether directly or indirectly) in Deathly Hallows. How many times has Snape saved Harry's life? I wonder if Snape feels compelled to preserve Harry's life since it was he who led to James and Lily's deaths.

As for who else is going to die...I really don't want to say it, but I think someone from the Weasley family is going to die. That would break my heart but I just have a feeling about that. We already had a close call with poor Bill being mauled by Fenrir Greyback. But I think it may be Percy that dies. He's been estranged from the family since the end of GOF (or I am assuming rather, since they talk about it in OOTP after it's already happened) and maybe something will happen where he redeems himself to his family but gets killed doing it. Sad, but definitely a possibility I think.

I think it's more likely to be Molly. I think the blow to Harry (and, obviously her family) would be huge. She's been his mother, really. She was the one who showed up to support him during the Tri-Wizard Tournmant. I think that she'd rather go than see one of her children or husband hurt. Percy, to me, is an easy way out. No one really like him. And he's abandoned a family that almost anyone would love to be a part of. I can't remember-- isn't there something about Molly's childhood or past? She lost someone? I know it's not in canon, but maybe it's in the lexicon somewhere... hmm... I think I am going to have to take a look unless someone here can answer more quickly! Molly's clock has been haywire lately. That's definitely some foreshadowing.

I am terribly optimistic! That still leaves us with lots of "names" that could die. Kingsley Shacklebolt, McGonnagal, Flitwick, Sprout. I think at least one teacher will die. One big character from the good side. Maybe Dean Thomas, Seamus? It's hard to even think about the students dying.

Ugh... McGonagall... dying? Gulp I positively adore her. I think I would cry when she died. Even though I knew it was coming for Dumbledore, I still cried. And when I reread the book, it made no difference.

That is exactly why I think JKR is going to kill someone really close to Harry. If he feels that much anger and hatred towards Voldemort I think he could be capable of performing AK.

Excellent theory. I would say those with the most impact would be Ron, Hermione, Ginny, The Twins, Hagrid, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. Ugh. The very thought is awful.

Just reading through several posts and Lupin comes up. Anyone else think it could be Lupin who avenges Fenrir Greyback? Was it Fenrir that bit Lupin as a child? It seems odd to me though that his name is Lupin (wolf in Latin I think) and he was later bitten.

I won't jump in just yet, but is anyone else looking at the arrival of the book as bittersweet?

This is the only way I've ever described it!

Still with me? Whew. These discussions must sound insane to anyone who hasn't read the books.

​

I can barely breath I'm laughing so hard!

I have started listening to the audiobooks again while I clean house (gosh my life is exciting) and I am still troubled by why the sorting hat "debated" putting HP in G or S. Maybe someone could offer an explanation on why the sorting hat was confused, if the scar is not a horcrux?

I, personally, felt that was explained earlier on although I couldn't tell you which book at this point. However, there are many, many people who still question this, so I think it becomes apparent that it's a personal thing. Harry admits to Dumbldore (in DD's office) that the Sorting Hat questioned putting Harry in Slytherin. DD said something to the effect that it is our choices and choices to act that make us who we are and determine our character. I think what the Sorting Hat saw was that Harry was a powerful wizard and that he could choose to act in two ways- for the good of the community or for the bad of the community. He chose to act for the community's benefit and not its destruction.

Besides, didn't Hermione mention somewhere that the Sorting Hat debated putting her into Ravenclaw? Thought it was in a DA scene in the Room of Requirement and one of the Ravenclaws said, "Hey! Why aren't you a Ravenclaw?!" and she made some mention that it had thought about it...

None of us are singlularly dimensional. We all have many facets to our personalities. For example, no one is ever just brave (Gryffndor) or smart (Ravenclaw) or loyal (Hufflepuff) or cunning (Slytherin). The house traits are apparent in every student in some way. I think what the Sorting Hat does is identify the most prominent trait and then make a determination which house is best. There's a reason only the student can hear what it says and the fact that it talks. Otherwise, the students wouldn't have a say in their future and would simply end up in a house. If that had been the case, I think Hermione would have been a Ravenclaw, Ron a Hufflepuff, and Harry and Slytherin. What was it that made them Gryffindors? The desire to be a Gryffindor.

I thought maybe petunia was the one that JK said would do magic late in life. Guess maybe thats Filch then?

Mrs. Figg. (Written before reading the other posts about it!)

I like the Hagrid idea, too.... I think it's too important that the first encounter we ever have with a wand is in his pink umbrella. She's too deliberate or ties up loose ends better than that!

 

[UnderTheMistletoe]

I think delaying in the horcruxes for a little while longer might be a good idea. There's definitely some tension in the discussions already and the horcruxes could make it worse. I really don't want this thread to be deleted, locked, or become a big fight. It completely defeats the purpose. The other thing- I think we're going to discuss the horcruxes, theories about Harry being/not being one, etc., until eternity as there's so much to digest. But, if that's the route a majority wants to go now, we can do so. Like I said before, this is our thread and we can set it up any way we want.

For me- I'd love to hear about ideas about Snape's Worst Memory or do the relationship make it/break it/why. I've seen relationship discussion deteriorate to name calling on other boards. That will not happen here.

 

[SueM in MN]

Just reading through several posts and Lupin comes up. Anyone else think it could be Lupin who avenges Fenrir Greyback? Was it Fenrir that bit Lupin as a child? It seems odd to me though that his name is Lupin (wolf in Latin I think) and he was later bitten.

I think his name being latin for wolf was a clue from when we first met him that there was more to him than met the eye.
You are right about Fenir Greyback. I think it comes up in the 6th book when they are talking about Lupin trying to go undercover in the werewolf community.

 

[HomeSweetDisney]

I think delaying in the horcruxes for a little while longer might be a good idea. There's definitely some tension in the discussions already and the horcruxes could make it worse. I really don't want this thread to be deleted, locked, or become a big fight. It completely defeats the purpose. The other thing- I think we're going to discuss the horcruxes, theories about Harry being/not being one, etc., until eternity as there's so much to digest. But, if that's the route a majority wants to go now, we can do so. Like I said before, this is our thread and we can set it up any way we want.

For me- I'd love to hear about ideas about Snape's Worst Memory or do the relationship make it/break it/why. I've seen relationship discussion deteriorate to name calling on other boards. That will not happen here.

Fair enough It was just a suggestion. But you're right, that's a discussion that could go on forever. Or at least until book 7 comes out

I think Snape or relationships would make a good next topic. What does everyone else think?

 

[va32h]

I think delaying in the horcruxes for a little while longer might be a good idea. There's definitely some tension in the discussions already and the horcruxes could make it worse. I really don't want this thread to be deleted, locked, or become a big fight. It completely defeats the purpose. The other thing- I think we're going to discuss the horcruxes, theories about Harry being/not being one, etc., until eternity as there's so much to digest. But, if that's the route a majority wants to go now, we can do so. Like I said before, this is our thread and we can set it up any way we want.

For me- I'd love to hear about ideas about Snape's Worst Memory or do the relationship make it/break it/why. I've seen relationship discussion deteriorate to name calling on other boards. That will not happen here.

Are you talking about me?

I admit, I have probably said some things that can be interpreted as snotty.

Here's my point of view: the HP books are works of literature, and literary analysis is only as valid as the evidence that supports it. I would be totally game to discuss any theory put forth, if the person putting it forth is offering something from the books or from a JKR interview to support it.

My purpose in questioning someones theory or argument isn't to be a showoff, or put them down, but to think about what we are suggesting and how it fits into the HP universe as it has been presented to us.

If I said " I think Zacharias Smith is the real hero of book 7 and he is going to be the one to defeat Voldemort by boring him to death with his Quidditch commentary" I would expect people to challenge me and ask me what the heck I am talking about.

But I am not the boss of this thread, so if the majority would like to go in that direction, I'll shut up.

Anyway, FWIW, I think the couples we had at the end of HBP will stay together through the end of book 7 unless one or both of them dies. The final book in the series will be about tying up loose ends, I think, not creating them. Of course it depends on how far in the future the book goes - will there be an epilogue saying who married whom, etc?

I would love for Harry to marry Ginny and officially become a Weasley. Hermione and Ron already have a relationship that is very much like his parents', they act like they've been an old married couple since Sorcerer's Stone!

I hope Neville finds a nice girl who will appreciate him. He'd be a good dad. Tonks and Lupin struck me as an odd coupling to begin with, but assuming Lupin lives, they could get married and have lots of pink furry cubs, with Lupin being the homeschooling house husband.

Snape's Worst Memory, I haven't thought about in awhile, so I will have to give that some more consideration before posting.

 

[HomeSweetDisney]

I think it's more likely to be Molly. I think the blow to Harry (and, obviously her family) would be huge. She's been his mother, really. She was the one who showed up to support him during the Tri-Wizard Tournmant. I think that she'd rather go than see one of her children or husband hurt. Percy, to me, is an easy way out. No one really like him. And he's abandoned a family that almost anyone would love to be a part of. I can't remember-- isn't there something about Molly's childhood or past? She lost someone? I know it's not in canon, but maybe it's in the lexicon somewhere... hmm... I think I am going to have to take a look unless someone here can answer more quickly! Molly's clock has been haywire lately. That's definitely some foreshadowing.

That's a very good point. It may very well be Molly which would be not just a huge blow to Harry but to the whole Weasley family. And you know I was thinking about that. If Molly died, imagine how much GUILT Harry would feel. I mean, that's the whole reason he broke up with Ginny because he didn't want her to get too close and make her a target for Voldemort. So if Molly dies, Harry will automatically feel a huge amount of guilt and anguish thinking "it's all my fault." The fact that she is his best friend's mother would only make it worse. We know how Harry is, he does have a bit of the "hero" complex. He'll go right on blaming himself for her death and I think that could definitely be yet another source of anger that would work towards defeating Voldemort.

 

[HomeSweetDisney]

Anyway, FWIW, I think the couples we had at the end of HBP will stay together through the end of book 7 unless one or both of them dies. The final book in the series will be about tying up loose ends, I think, not creating them. Of course it depends on how far in the future the book goes - will there be an epilogue saying who married whom, etc?

I would love for Harry to marry Ginny and officially become a Weasley. Hermione and Ron already have a relationship that is very much like his parents', they act like they've been an old married couple since Sorcerer's Stone!

I hope Neville finds a nice girl who will appreciate him. He'd be a good dad. Tonks and Lupin struck me as an odd coupling to begin with, but assuming Lupin lives, they could get married and have lots of pink furry cubs, with Lupin being the homeschooling house husband.

I agree with you on all those points. I think Harry/Ginny and Ron/Hermione are pretty much a given. I would love very much to see an epilogue and know who marries whom, etc. But for some reason JKR doesn't strike me as an epilogue kinda gal which is disappointing.

I love Neville! He's so kind hearted and really much more brave than he gets credit for as we've seen in the last two books. He is a Gryffindor after all! For some reason I could picture Neville and Luna together. Not sure why, I just do

I was definitely someone that was caught off guard by the Tonks/Lupin development but I love Lupin so much so I was really pleased he found someone who loves him and accepts him unconditionally. I'd love to see him and Tonks tie the knot and have lots of multi-colored werepups

 

[CobraBubbles]

I really really hate Harry/Ginny. It annoys me. Harry should end up alone.

I'm probably alone in this...but yeah