Abendroth Blutjager's Guide to Harry Potter

No More Encyclopedia WIP

2008-07-02T11:21:00.000-06:00

No, I'm not talking about JKR's plans for an encyclopedia. I do think she plans to publish one. It's actually due in part to this fact that I have given up writing my own HP encyclopedia. I gave this up months ago, but I've procrastinated in posting the fact here.

Anyway, I have other plans in the works -- my own novel, which would be the first part in a series.... It has NOTHING to do with Harry Potter or the surrounding Potterverse, though.

I might dedicate another blog to my writing pursuits. :)

The Outing of Dumbledore, part one

2007-10-25T08:12:00.000-06:00

Unless you've been living under a rock for the past few days you'll know that Jo answered a fan question about Albus Dumbledore's sexuality. Yes, Albus Dumbledore is a gay character.

With all the theorists, like myself, wandering around and spouting off about how Harry must or must not be a horcrux, Harry will or won't time travel again, Snape and Irma Pince are or are not related, and Snape always loved or never loved Lily..... Ah, well, I'm surprised I never saw a theory about Dumbledore's sexuality. There's loads of slash fanfic, and many of the stories have Dumbledore as gay, but these are not theories, just others' imaginations gone wild. I'd considered the possibility of Dumbledore being gay myself, from time to time, but I didn't think Jo had the literary balls to include a homosexual in this acclaimed children's series, so I never made any real theory about it.

Damn, I wish I had....

So, now that Albus Dumbledore has been removed from the broom closet, let's go back and consider all the clues that at one time or another made the idea cross my mind. Of course, now that I know it's for real and not a fleeting figment of my imagination (or a matter of getting confused between Jo's novels and some slashfic I read on Sycophant Hex or something) I can also go looking for the clues I missed.

Our first clue comes from Albus Dumbledore's very first appearance. Yes, he apparates to Privet Drive and what does the narrator say about him that seems really out of place? It's not his robes or cloak, no, because we expect wizards to wear robes and cloaks. It's not his long hair and beard; we expect those too, after all he's the Gandolf-like figure of the story. It's his shoes, or to be more precise, his high-heeled boots. Why would this be unexpected? Well, when I first read it I was struck by the oddity. No one else is described as wearing high-heeled boots... and he's tall already without them. I passed it off as "he's old and eccentric." I figured he's wearing a fashion he grew up with, sort of stuck in the past. However, one major fact was still bugging me about those boots... they went out of fashion for men back in the 1700's, still quite some time before Dumbledore was born. But as they say about fashion, everything old is new again, so perhaps he's being fashion-forward, not a clueless old fart.

The oddness of the boots is reinforced by the mention of how he's unwelcome, from his name to his high-heeled boots, to paraphrase. I wrote it off as an eccentric wizarding thing -- his high-heeled boots are unwelcome because they are indicative of his wizardness. But no. They are indicative of something the Dursleys and their ilk would find just as horrid. Dumbledore isn't just the epitome of wizarding life, with his long hair, long beard, robes and cloak. He also represents a non-magical alternative lifestyle, homosexuality, and since he's not particularly flamboyant, his high-heeled boots could be a subtle clue.

Next, I'll post about his robes and cloak. Yeah, I know, we expect him to wear them... but purple or covered in bright patterns? Again, another discussion of things I originally passed off as mere eccentricity....

W.O.M.B.A.T.s

2007-09-24T16:02:00.000-06:00

How did everyone do on the W.O.M.B.A.T.s?

I received:

Grade 1: Outstanding

Grade 2: Exceeds Expectations

Grade 3: Outstanding

BTW, I'm working on a quiz through http://www.okcupid.com/, and it will be much like the W.O.M.B.A.T., except it's geared toward Muggles and Squibs who have been exposed to the wizarding world.... I'll let you know once it's up and running, and I'll put a link to it here.

What have I gotten myself into?

2007-09-11T09:17:00.000-06:00

I'm sorry I haven't posted anything in a long time. You might have started to think I was dead or something, but no.

I mentioned somewhere that I was working on a comprehensive analysis of the entire septology and a reference book, and I'd love to do this, but I can never seem to find the time to get past a draft outline of how the work should flow. It might require more than one volume, too, since there is so much I wish to cover. Meanwhile I have other projects to work on, like paintings and a startup business for food tours. (Ask me about the food tours.) This is all on top of my 8am to 5pm day job....

Still, if I'm ever going to do this I should have it published (somehow) before Jo publishes the awaited encyclopedia, right?

What have I gotten myself into? How do I manage my time to do all of these things? or, more to the point, how SHOULD I? Hmmm, this will take some serious changes....

First off, I think I need to spend a lot less time watching TV at my sister's place! That means making my sister angry with me for not spending as much time with her, but oh well. At least she's not a huge poisonous snake....

BTW, the picture shown in this post is by Lithrael at http://www.deviantart.com/ .

Remaining Questions: Making Inferi

2007-07-24T08:30:00.000-06:00

It's said that Voldemort killed (or had killed) enough people to make an army of Inferi. Meanwhile, we know that Voldemort had placed several Inferi in the black lake, where he placed the locket horcrux.

However, we don't see any Inferius attacks first-hand other than in that cave. And we don't hear specifics of any new attacks on the general populace since Voldemort's first rise to power. The Ministry warns that since Voldemort had used Inferi in the past he might use them again, but apparently he didn't. Looks like he only made them before attacking the Potters, not afterwards, and that they all ended up in the black lake. Why is this?

Dumbledore gives us an interesting hint about it, but the details are missing. He told Harry that Grindelwald wanted to use the Resurrection Ring in order to raise an army of Inferi. Though Grindelwald never found the ring (it was still in the possession of the Gaunt family), Voldemort sure did -- he stole it the day he killed his father and paternal grandparents. He was still known as Tom Riddle then, still a student at Hogwarts, still a member of the Slug Club, but he knew how to make a Horcrux by then. He obviously didn't understand that the ring he used to make a Horcrux also happened to be a Hallow. Peverell ring = Resurrection Ring. If he had known just how special the ring was he might never have turned it into a Horcrux. Did Voldemort make Inferi without knowing how he did it? Had he figured out how to tap the ring's ability to make Inferi without understanding the ring?

Is there another way to make Inferi without the Resurrection Ring?

Remaining Questions: Who is Florence?

2007-07-24T08:21:00.000-06:00

During one of Harry's visits to Dumbledore's office, Dumbledore shows him (or simply lets him see) the form of a girl slowly revolving in the Pensieve. This is not Trelawney but apparently an un-named Hogwarts student. She seems to be from a previous generation (not Harry's). She has come to tattle on a boy she saw, behind the greenhouses, kissing a girl named Florence.

Dumbledore looks at the image of the girl and asks (as if speaking to the girl) why she even followed the boy to see what he was up to....

Jo never, as far as I can recall, returns to this topic. Is this a sub-plot she decided to drop, realizing it couldn't be worked into Deathly Hallows?

Remaining Questions: Snape's Patronus

2007-07-23T10:53:00.000-06:00

Well, I don't see much point in typing up chapter-by-chapter overviews or teasers, like I had started with chapter one....

I guess I want to pose questions I still have about the series.

This will still take several posts, and then I might abandon this blog. If I do that I will begin a new one that makes a fresh attempt to answer those very questions. In time, Jo might put much of our remaining doubts to rest. However, the blog will still be here, so that I (and others) could return to it at any time.

So, let's begin with Snape's patronus. I was under the impression (the first time we see the silver doe in the forest) that it was Snape's patronus, and that the doe represented Lily herself. Well I turned out to be correct about it being Snape's patronus. However, Harry tells Voldemort that Snape's patronus was the same as Lily's patronus. This means Lily's patronus was also a silver doe.

Two questions here:
1. How did Harry learn the form his mother's patronus takes? Where is that mentioned?
2. Previously in the series, Harry is told by an Order member (was it Albus or Remus?) that no two patronuses can be the same, so how could Snape have the same patronus? True, two does don't have to be identical does, and if they spoke they would have different voices, but still....

Deathly Hallows - Chapter One (no details)

2007-07-17T16:21:00.000-06:00

I just wish to say that --

Remember when Harry was talking about someone's acting ability and he said that not even Snape could be that good of an actor?

Oh, please let Snape be that good of an actor....

Predicting Snape's Motives (character analysis part 3)

2007-07-17T08:50:00.000-06:00

Severus Snape was sorted into Slytherin house for a reason. Slytherin house is described as the sanctuary for the ambitious and cunning, sometimes a place for the pureblood and the haughty. We know Severus isn't a pureblood -- Tobias Snape appears to have been a Muggle, and Severus once used (for reasons to be discussed later) the nickname "Half-Blood Prince". He can seem quite haughty at times, but there is an insecurity lingering just below the surface. He's definitely cunning, managing to stay alive after publicly leaving the Death Eaters... managing to reenter the fold while remaining a member of the Order of the Phoenix, spying on both sides.

And what about ambition? There's loads of it. You don't join two opposing teams and play them against each other (and consequentially put yourself in harm's way) unless you have some serious goals... that require info from both sides to meet them.

But let's go back a bit.... Severus is a young wizard of mixed-blood. He takes up this nickname, a play on his witch mother's maiden name and his mixed heritage. The trio later assume he chose the name to play up the wizarding side of the family, not like he's the "prince of the half-bloods", but why would someone trying to play up the wizarding side even bring any attention to the "half-blood" part? He probably wouldn't have been popular in Slytherin for his heritage, so I don't think this would be a name he used freely. It might even be a name given to him by another student and he just liked it. Personally I think Lily Evans came up with the nickname for him. The trio might have it backwards. What if Severus chose to use the name, perhaps only secretly, as a reminder of his heritage... and as a reminder of his main goal -- to be a champion for the wizards and witches of mixed or Muggle heritage?

When Harry takes that first trip on the train to Hogwarts, he reads the Chocolate Frog card for Albus Dumbledore. He seems more impressed by the moving picture than by the info given for wizard. Imagine eleven-year-old Severus first reading or hearing about Albus Dumbledore, most famous for his 1945 defeat of the dark wizard Grindelwald. How would this impress upon Severus? Then he's at Hogwarts, with the venerable Albus Dumbledore as headmaster. Snape starts to wonder how this wizard managed to defeat Grindelwald. He might start to think Dumbledore has lost his touch....

Oh, my. I have to stop what would have been a particularly long-assed post. I've been tainted by the chapter titles. My predictions haven't changed due to anything I've seen. However, I'm a bit weirded out by actually having seen what I've now ... seen....

Basically, what I want to get across is that I think Severus Snape (for whatever reasons, like a desire for fame or recognition) has developed a plan to defeat Voldemort. The biggest flaw in his plan is that Voldemort ended up choosing one of Snape's enemies as the target. Snape might feel indebted to James even if there was never a Life Debt. So it's bad news if you've triggered something that will lead to your "saviour's" death. Add to this that Snape probably really did like Lily, and he wouldn't have wanted her to die. To add insult to injury, Snape now has to rely on the abilities and shortfalls of his enemy's son to carry out his wish: Voldemort's defeat. And this child will grow up to hate Snape, not just because of Snape's involvement in the Potters' deaths, but also because Snape must treat Harry badly to maintian his cover. This makes it particulary difficult for Snape to train Harry or give him important info. Harry will almost instinctively rebel against anything Snape says or does. Harry will continue to despise Snape and trip him up every chance he gets until Snape's facade finally falls away... or Snape gets killed trying to make Harry realize where Snape's really coming from.

Maybe more on this later, but the book is arriving so soon I might not be able to get my muddled thoughts together in time for an even vaguely cohesive post.... (sigh)

Egads, I know all the chapter titles....

2007-07-16T17:12:00.000-06:00

I'm sorry to say (ok, not too sorry) that I was sent the chapter titles by a friend of mine who found them online. Actually he (going by PrinceofEgypt) found almost 400 pages of "Deathly Hallows" that got leaked by someone else.

I asked him not to send me the chapter pages, only the table of contents. And he obliged. Then he deleted everything he had downloaded.... I know all the chapter titles.... I can't believe it.

I will NOT post them here.

They back up many of my predictions and they don't discredit any of my predictions.

I still think Harry will take the Dursleys to #12 Grimmauld Place, where they will hide.

I still think Harry will find the place Sirius bought with his inheritance from Uncle Alphard.

I still think Harry will receive something through Dumbledore's will.

I still think the trio will have to break into Gringotts because the goblins will revolt again.

I still think Mundungus stole the locket from #12 Grimmauld and took it (probably sold it) to Aberforth.

I still think Snape has the best of intentions. He's just not as noble as McGonagall gives Dumbledore credit for.

I still think Dumbledore isn't as noble as McGonagall thinks he is.

We will find out about how Dumbledore defeated Grindelwald.

Um, I'll post again soon. Hopefully by then the horrible spoilers will not have tainted everyone....

Character Analysis: Severus Snape (part two)

2007-07-10T11:30:00.000-06:00

The first part of my analysis is about the definitions of the name. I continue now with some possible historic origins for his name.

Two major historical people come to mind: Lucius Septimius Severus and Severus Sanctus Endelechus.

Here is the basic entry for Severus Sanctus Endelechus in the Catholic Encyclopedia:

"Christian rhetorician and poet of the fourth century. It is possible that his true name was Endelechius and that he adopted the other names after his conversion to Christianity. In the manuscripts of the "Metamorphoses" of Apuleius, the subscription of the corrector and revisor, Sallustius, declares him the pupil at Rome in 395 of the rhetorician Endelechius in the forum of Mars (which is the forum of Augustus): "in foro Martis controversiam declamans oratori Endelechio". This rhetorician is certainly identical with the poet. He was probably of Gallic origin. He was a friend of St. Paulinus of Nola, who dedicated to him his panegyric of Theodosius and even owed to him the idea of this work. We are in possession of Endelechius's "De morte boum", an idyl in thirty-three Asclopedian strophes, in which the shepherd Bucolus explains to his companion Ægon that he is sad because his flock are dying of contagion. Tityrus enters leading his flock which remains healthy amid the epidemic. He explains that this miracle is due to the Sign of the Cross made on the forehead of the animals, whereupon Ægon and Bucolus decide to become Christians. This little poem is chiefly interesting because it shows the resistance of paganism in the country and the means by which Christian preaching sought to overcome it. It was discovered in an unknown manuscript and published by P. Pithou in 1586. Riese reprinted it in the "Anthologia Latina" (2nd ed., Leipzig, 1906, n. 893)."

The Free Dictionary gives some info about Lucius Septimius Severus:

"Severus (Lucius Septimius Severus), Roman emperor Severus or Septimius Severus (Lucius Septimius Severus) (sĕptĭm`ēəs sēvē`rəs), 146–211, Roman emperor (193–211), b. Africa. He was campaigning in Pannonia and Illyria when the emperor Commodus (Lucius Aelius Aurelius Commodus). was murdered. His successor, Pertinax (Publius Helvius Pertinax), lasted three months before he too was assassinated. The Pretorian guards arranged the succession of the weak Didius Julianus (Marcus Didius Salvius Julianus). With the empire in disarray, Severus marched on Rome. Proclaimed emperor, Severus went to the East to overthrow Pescennius Niger, the governor of Syria, who had also been proclaimed emperor by his legions. Severus defeated (194) the pretender. He took (196) Byzantium and subdued the rebellious Arabs of Mesopotamia. Returning to the West, he defeated (197) Clodius Albinus, another pretender, in Gaul and, returning eastward, attacked and expelled (198) the Parthians from Mesopotamia. In 208, Severus went to Britain. From there he harassed Scotland, but he died at York before completing his plans for a large invasion. Severus built a strong army, increasing the number of legions while eliminating the large commands that had been common for Rome, thus protecting himself against being overthrown while he protected Rome. He ruled with vigor and, when he found it useful, a calculated cruelty. Caracalla succeeded him."

I wish to point out the fact that not only is there a Lucius (Malfoy) mentioned in the Black family tapestry, but there is also a Septimus (Weasley) in the same tapestry. It's not at all surprising to see her use the last name, Severus, for yet another character... and it wouldn't surprise me either if Severus Snape is a relative of the Blacks, through his mother's side of the family, the Prince line.

The interesting thing here... well, there are a few interesting things here. Lucius Septimius Severus (let's call him LSS) defeated someone named Pescennius Niger in 194. Niger means "black", and the spring of 1994 is when Severus Snape confronts and almost defeats Sirius Black. He was so close to getting Sirius "kissed" by a dementor, but he (and Fudge) failed because Harry, et al. had set Sirius free. Sirius Black isn't killed until 1997, and Severus Snape gives Bellatrix Black the credit.

LSS defeated a man named Clodius Albinus back in 197. Albinus means white, just like Albus. It was the spring of 1997 when Snape confronted Albus Dumbledore on the Astronomy tower. Watched by Harry, Draco, and some DE's, Snape appears to kill Albus with a Killing Curse. Personally I think the death scene is rather suspicious. Dumbledore is definitely dead, and Snape must have landed the fatal blow, since Snape's still alive (Unbreakable Vow would have killed him otherwise), but I just don't think the Killing Curse was strong enough to do the job. I think Snape had to levitate Dumbledore and send him over the tower to complete the task.

Back in 196 LSS had subdued some rebels, so what could Snape's parallel action have been... to subdue Narcissa and Bellatrix in the summer of 1996? Narcissa was acting particularly rebellious agianst Voldemort, Bellatrix was anti-Snape. The show-down at the Department of Mysteries happened in 1996, so maybe he subdued the Death Eaters by alerting the Order that Harry and friends had gone to the Ministry of Magic?

LSS leaves to travel east and attacks the Parthians in 198. Then he goes to Britain 10 years later (208) and bothers Scotland but dies in York...I think it was in 211. Perhaps JKR wouldn't be able to follow the exact same timeline, but what could the Parthians become in Snape's life.... The Order of the Phoenix? The Death Eaters? And what about LSS planning a campaign in Britain but dying before he can launch it? Will JKR have Snape die in York?

Caracalla was one of LSS's sons. Snape has no daughter (JKR says so), but what about a son? Or what about a chosen heir, if he has no children? Ah, that's where I want to go into all sorts of wild thoughts about Theodore Nott, but I'll hold myself back and not go into it....

Another historical figure is Severus of Avranches:

Memorial: 1 February
Profile: Born to a poor peasant family. Shepherd in his youth. Priest. Monk. Abbot. Bishop of Avranches. In his later years, he resigned his see and returned to monastic life.
Born: at Cotentin, Normandy, France
Died: c.690 of natural causes; relics at Rouen, France
Canonized: Pre-Congregation
Patronage: against fever; against migraine; drapers; fever; hatmakers; hatters; migraine; milliners; silk workers; weavers; wool manufacturers; wool weavers
Representation
bishop with a horse nearby

Jo will have the final word

2007-07-06T15:52:00.000-06:00

JKR has changed the final word. She says the word "scar" still appears very near the end, but it will no longer be the very last word, so what will it be? NO CLUE. I mean, I can hazard a few guesses: "horcrux", "life", "Snape".... It's no use, though.

I think, as many readers have also thought, that the final sentence(s) will either be:

a small revelation about the scar itself, like: Snape or Hermione explaining the scar was actually the entry point for a horcrux... or a horcrux itself; Hermione explaining that she should have realized it before, that Harry's scar isn't just shaped like a lightning bolt...it's also shaped like a rune -- the sowulo....
or a statement like "and to think it all started with a scar on his forehead", though hopefully nothing quite so flippant as what I just typed....

Who is that dragon? Revisited

2007-06-29T13:27:00.000-06:00

There's one really big question I somehow skipped over in my previous post about the dragon on the deluxe edition of DH. How did the trio get the dragon to cooperate?

So, perhaps you really can't tame a dragon... but maybe you can magically control one, anyway.

Being a Parceltongue might be one step in the right direction, but if you put dragon's blood into the equation...? Dunno.

Another thought had come to mind while reading a thread on Galadriel Waters' New Clues 6 Discussion forum. Harry and the other TWT champions received animated models of the dragons they had to get the golden egg from. I know that Harry battled a Hungarian Horntail, which looks nothing like the dragon pictured in the Deluxe artwork, and the other champions also battled dragons that don't match the artwork, but where did the TWT organizers get those models? Might there be one for the Antipodean Opaleye, or perhaps for another dragon that might match this one? If so (and I should think so), then he might be able to get one of these models and use an Engorgement charm (or Hermione could). Then they might be able to control it.

Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus

2007-06-29T13:00:00.000-06:00

We all know Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus means "Never tickle a sleeping dragon", but I wonder if this is more than just a school motto....

In a recent audio clip of Stephen Fry (the narrator of the HP audio books in the UK, as well as a hilarious comedian from shows like Jeeves and Wooster and Black Adder) he says he can't give anything away. Duh. But then he repeats the school motto.

The big questions here are:

What is this dragon?

Who's doing the tickling?

What actually happens if you tickle the sleeping dragon?

For the first question, we could think of the dragon who is shown on the cover of the deluxe edition of DH. Then we could say Harry might have tickled him. And then we might suggest tickling a sleeping dragon could give you some power over the dragon, allowing you to order it around, at least for a while. But, then, why warn people not to do such a thing? Seems very odd to me.

So, what if the Dragon is not really a dragon? What if it's a person named Draco? Now it gets harder to answer the other questions. Is Harry provoking Draco when it's not wise to do so? Has Voldemort's punishments of the Malfoys been enough to provoke Draco to actively switch sides?

Or what if Snape is the "dragon"? He's definitely a powerful wizard who you wouldn't really want as an enemy. Who provoked him so badly when his guard was down? James, Harry, Dumbledore, his own parents, Voldemort, Wormtail? And what happens if you cruely provoke Snape? Well, back in HBP there was mention of how everyone Snape hates tends to turn up dead....

And what about Harry? He was innocent (and perhaps actually sleeping) when Voldemort attacked the Potters. Since then Voldemort has provoked Harry several times, even invading his dreams... mentally tickling him with false images, like the one that sent Harry to the DoM looking for Sirius. Snape has also provoked him on several occasions. What happens would be Harry seeking revenge... big time.

Prediction: Kreacher will

2007-06-25T15:56:00.000-06:00

Here's an article about a character that JKR said should be in the OotP movie, since he will be important to Deathly Hallows:

This is great! From the cover of the UK children's edition of Deathly Hallows you can see a House Elf riding Harry's back and holding up a sword. It has pointed ears, like Kreacher's, not more-rounded ears... like Dobby's. But the artwork allows for some artistic license, so we couldn't be sure which House Elf it was... or if it was actually a friendly Goblin.

Of course we had a feeling Kreacher would still be important to the story, since there was a good chance R.A.B. (Regulus Black) left Slytherin's locket (used as a horcrux by Voldemort) somewhere in #12 Grimmauld Place. Chances are it's no longer there, as Mundungus has stolen several items, and Aberforth appears to have bought something from Dung, perhaps the locket (pulls his cloak up about his neck before he walks away).

Interestingly, this works well with the unauthorised teaser given earlier by an unknown person claiming that something Harry thought was against him is actually loyal to him. Of course, Harry owns Kreacher, and he might be simply following Harry's orders, against his own will....

Character Analysis: Severus Snape (part one)

2007-06-21T11:40:00.000-06:00

First, let's look at his name: Severus Snape.

Severus means "strict, stern, severe".

We can also break the name into two different phrases: the English sever us and the Latin se verus. In the first case, we could see it as a plea. Matter of fact, this lends support to the idea that Dumbledore's words "Severus. Severus... please...." were a hidden message for Severus to kill Dumbledore. Imagine interpreting the words as something like "Severus, sever us, please" or "Sever us... Severus, please." Not that Dumbledore would refer to himself in the plural, more like he knows he must be removed from Harry's side, just as all the references to Dumbledore stopping dead and Harry running into him are symbolic for Dumbledore holding Harry back from fulfilling his "destiny"... for Dumbledore being in the way. This phrase could also be a reference to Severus's apparent dual personality. Harry must figure out what Severus's different roles are... and when Severus is switching roles....

The second phrase is particularly interesting, since se verus means "himself true". This goes well with the French version of his name: Severus Rogue. Rogues don't really follow rules, and they generally look out for #1, themselves. The quintessential Slytherin, right? Of course, the meaning of the French word rogue translates best as "arrogant", rather than how we generally define rogue. Dictionary.com gives us a very extensive English definition:

"rogue /roʊg/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[rohg] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation noun, verb, rogued, ro·guing, adjective
–noun
1. a dishonest, knavish person; scoundrel.
2. a playfully mischievous person; scamp: The youngest boys are little rogues.
3. a tramp or vagabond.
4. a rogue elephant or other animal of similar disposition.
5. Biology. a usually inferior organism, esp. a plant, varying markedly from the normal. –verb (used without object)
6. to live or act as a rogue. –verb (used with object)
7. to cheat.
8. to uproot or destroy (plants, etc., that do not conform to a desired standard).
9. to perform this operation upon: to rogue a field. –adjective
10. (of an animal) having an abnormally savage or unpredictable disposition, as a rogue elephant.
11. no longer obedient, belonging, or accepted and hence not controllable or answerable; deviating, renegade: a rogue cop; a rogue union local.
[Origin: 1555–65; appar. short for obs. roger begging vagabond, orig. cant word]
—Synonyms 1. villain, trickster, swindler, cheat, mountebank, quack. See knave."

The Online Etymology Dictionary has this to add:

"rogue 1561, "idle vagrant," perhaps a shortened form of roger (with a hard -g-), thieves' slang for a begging vagabond who pretends to be a poor scholar from Oxford or Cambridge, perhaps from L. rogare "to ask." Another theory traces it to Celtic (cf. Bret. rog "haughty"); OED says, "There is no evidence of connexion with F. rogue 'arrogant.' " Rogue's gallery "police collection of mug shots" is attested from 1859."

Then there is the last name, Snape. There are several meanings of Snape and other words that are related to it:

Snape - English and Scottish: habitational name from any of various places in England and southern Scotland, for example in North Yorkshire near Bedale, in the Lowlands near Biggar, and in Suffolk, so named with Old English snæp ‘area of boggy land’. In Sussex the dialect term snape is still used of boggy, uncultivable land.

Snape \Snape\, v. t. (Shipbuilding)
To bevel the end of a timber to fit against an inclined
surface.

related to snipe
n : Old or New World straight-billed game bird of the sandpiper
family; of marshy areas; similar to the woodcocks
v 1: hunt snipe
2: hunt or shoot snipe
3: shoot from a concealed position [syn: sharpshoot]
4: attack verbally, in speech or writing; "The editors of the
left-leaning paper attacked the new House Speaker" [syn: attack,
round, assail, lash out, assault]

related to Sneap \Sneap\, v. t. [Cf. Icel. sneypa to dishonor, disgrace,
chide, but also E. snip, and snub.]
1. To check; to reprimand; to rebuke; to chide. [Obs.] --Bp.
Hall.
2. To nip; to blast; to blight. [Obs.]
Sneap \Sneap\, n.
A reprimand; a rebuke. [Obs.]

related to snap
n 1: the act of catching an object with the hands;
2: any activity that is easy to do; "marketing this product
will be no picnic"
3: (football) putting the ball in play by passing it (between
the legs) to a back [syn: centering]
v 1: utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone; `"No!," she
snapped'; "The guard snarled at us" [syn: snarl]
2: separate or cause to separate abruptly; "The rope snapped";
"tear the paper" [syn: tear, rupture, bust]
3: break suddenly and abruptly; as of something under tension;
4: move or strike with a click;
5: snap close with a sound;
6: as of tightly stretched ropes or fingers [syn: crack]
7: move with a snapping sound;
8: to grasp hastily or eagerly;
9: put in play with a snap, of a football
10: cause to make a snapping sound; of fingers [syn: click, flick]
11: record on photographic film

might make you think of snoop
n : a spy who makes uninvited inquiries into the private affairs
of others [syn: snooper]
v : watch, observe, or inquire secretly [syn: spy, stag, sleuth]

Other language versions of the novels use translation, transliteration, or simply give him a new name. Most play up his cruel behavior or make references to snakes, marshy or boggy land or other water features. I'll probably make a separate post to discuss the names given to him in other languages, besides French.

More about his character later....

Who is that dragon?

2007-06-08T16:30:00.000-06:00

The new artwork for the deluxe edition of Deathly Hallows has been released, and we have so many more questions than answers:

Who is that dragon? It could be a grown-up Norbert (the picture vaguely matches the description of Norwegian Ridgebacks given in Fantastical Beasts and Where to Find Them). This dragon looks to be either a greenish color or black (but reflecting lots of color), has long horns, has a black-ridged back, and has opal-like eyes. FBaWtFT never describes the eyes of a Norwegian Ridgeback.

Update 6/14/07 -- However, the book has this to say about the Antipodean Opaleye :

"Antipodean Opaleye:This species is native to New Zealand, although it has also been known to make its home in Australia as well. It has pearly scales that reflect the light to make a rainbow of colour, making it (in the opinion of many) the most beautiful dragon of all. The name comes from its eyes, which are multi-coloured and have no pupil. It is generally non-aggressive and its main prey is the sheep. Its weight of 2-3 tonnes makes it a medium-sized dragon [FB]."

Interesting idea: what if there is a new breed, one that was bred to be tameable? It could have a combination of features from various dragon breeds....

Is the dragon a dragon? What if it turned out to be an Animagus? I know, I know... we've had lots of unregistered Animagi (Sirius, James, Peter, and Rita), but we've only seen one registered Animagus so far (McGonagall), so perhaps it's time for another registered one. It would sure go a long way to explain why it's acting tame.

Who's riding the dragon? Is that Hermione and Ron with Harry... or Hermione and Charlie, the Weasley who works with dragons, with Harry? Update 6/11/07: According to Scholastic, that is definitely Ron with Hermione and Harry, not Charlie (and definitely not Draco, as some people have suggested). Yep, we have a particularly light-haired Ron bringing up (sitting on) the rear.

What are they wearing? Looks like Harry is wearing a sweater/jumper and a pair of jeans. The other two might be wearing robes over muggle attire. Update 6/19/07: Harry's outfit actually looks similar to what he's wearing on the front cover of the regular US edition: either brown or black robes over a greenish long-sleeve shirt and a pair of jeans.

Where are they? I see a valley with a river running through it. There is a bridge crossing the river to the right. There are mountains in the background. There is a small village in the valley, at the foot of the mountains. On the other side of the river are some croplands. It could be Norway (Norwegian Ridgebacks live in the mountains, while Muggles live in villages along the southern shoreline and in valleys). Another idea I've heard is Godric's Hollow, specifically that village. This would probably place them in Wales, which also has mountains and valleys bisected by rivers. Update 6/19/07: Since we might be dealing with an Antipodean Opaleye, could the trio be in New Zealand or Australia? Perhaps the horcrux hunt has sent them quite far and wide across the globe....

Where are they going? This would depend on the time of day, and that's a bit tricky. Though we see the sun, I'm not sure if this is sunrise or sunset. With all the colors in the sky I'd like to say sunset, which would put them moving northward. If this place is Godric's Hollow (and if Godric's Hollow is located in Wales), then maybe they are headed up north towards Hogwarts in Scotland. If it is in fact sunrise, they must be headed South, maybe towards London (where Gringotts is), or into another country, like Italy (where Il Colosseo is to be found). The sky is very reminiscent of the orange-red, fire-like sky of the regular cover art. I'm not sure how fast the dragon can fly... could it leave Great Britain at sunrise and be in Rome, Italy before sundown? Update 6/11/07: The time is sunset, as stated by Scholastic. Update 6/19/07: And what if they are in New Zealand? Well, they'd be headed north at sunset. But, oh my, if they are that far away from the UK, how long will it take to get back to the UK, or even to Italy, by dragon?

What's with all the mist? Is this Dementor spawn? It would help explain why the trio look like they are wearing layered clothing. It must be quite cold... unseasonably cold.

Penelope and Pigwidgeon

2007-05-31T12:19:00.000-06:00

As I mentioned before (in a comment), Penelope is a type of duck. It also apparently means "needle and thread" or "needle and spool (of thread)".

According to http://dict.die.net/anas%20penelope/, "Anas penelope n : freshwater duck of Eurasia and North Africa related to mallards and teals [syn: widgeon, wigeon, Anas penelope]" It's also sometimes called Mareca penelope.

Anyways... Widgeon? Pigwidgeon? Now, says http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Pigwidgeon, "Pig´wid`geonn. 1. A cant word for anything petty or small. It is used by Drayton as the name of a fairy."

However, we don't simply have a small (Scops) owl here, do we? Are we really to assume it's a coincidence that Percy had a pet rat (who turned out to be a wizard) and gave it to Ron... then for Percy to get an owl he names Hermes... and then for Percy to meet (and date) a girl named Penelope and for Ron to later receive an owl that Ginny names Pigwidgeon? Notice that Crookshanks pays attention to "Pig", but that the half-kneazle simply seems hungry, not distrustful... what does Crookshanks think about Pigwidgeon? For that matter, what does he think of Hermes?

Back to the myths discussed in the comments to the blocked passageway post: Odysseus's wife, Penelope, was the daughter of Icarius and the first cousin of Helen of Troy. (Icarius is also a star in the constellation Boötes.) Penelope was the loyal wife who thought up clever ways to ward off her suitors. She would work on a tapestry by day but then unravel it by night, so that it would never be completed. As long as the tapestry was incomplete she would not have to choose a husband. A suitor caught on to her deceipt, and she was forced to find another way to keep the suitors at bay. She had them try to string one of Odysseus's bows and shoot a single arrow through 12 axe handles. Odysseus came back (in disguise) and, after stringing the bow and shooting an arrow through all 12 axe handles) chased off or killed the suitors. Penelope was helped by Athena (Minerva) and Hermes. Odysseus, in his attempts to return home, was helped by Zeus and Hermes.

The Blocked Passage Revisited

2007-05-24T08:44:00.000-06:00

In part one (the revamped version) of my predictions posts I talked about (many things) Snape and his possible relation to Irma Pince. Well, I stand by the basic idea, however I got a fact wrong, and I want to clear it up. Here's the excerpt from the previous post:

A secret passageway on the fourth floor of Hogwarts was blocked off sometime after Severus and the Mauraders left Hogwarts but before Harry started attending the school. This blocked passageway will turn out to be connected to Severus Snape. As an extention to the above part (Snape's relatives in hiding idea) I believe the blocked passage's location, relative to the library, means it's a particularly good place for Dumbledore and Snape to hide Snape's relatives. It would also be a good place for Snape to hide. This also leads to my next prediction....

I had said the passage was blocked before Harry attended Hogwarts. This is not true. When Gred and Forge (heehee) give Harry the map they tell him about 7 passages. Four of them Filch knows about, but the twins don't explain to us where these passages are or where they lead. Another passage is under the Whomping Willow and goes somewhere into Hogsmeade (turns out to go to the Shrieking Shack). Another passage starts at a statue and leads into the stockroom of Honeydukes. The last passage is on the fourth floor. The twins don't say where it leads, but they seem to think this unnecesary info, since they haven't been able to go through it since "last winter". Last winter would be during Harry's second year at Hogwarts. This would be around the time Harry and Ron impersonate Crabbe and Goyle to interrogate Draco.

By this time there had already been basilisk attacks. Though the first time the chamber had been opened had already taken on the characteristics of a tall tale, even a myth, Dumbledore knows it happened (he was teaching Transfiguration at Hogwarts at the time). Many of the teachers are too young to have been there at the time (as either professor or student), but I think Snape knew something about it. Lucius sure knew, since he planted the diary on Ginny for this exact purpose. Lucius and Severus having such a long, apparently chummy, history together, perhaps Lucius had told Severus about it -- not about planting the diary, not even about the diary's existance -- but how Voldemort boasted about having opened the chamber while he attended Hogwarts... and how he was the last of the Slytherin line, he -- and only he -- could open it again some day. If this is the case then Snape might have suspected Voldemort's direct involvement this time around, too, making Snape think Voldemort had already returned in some form (even though the mark on his arm would still be quite faint). If he's truely hiding his family from Voldemort and the Death Eaters he might have chosen winter holiday as an opportune time to block the passageway. And why? Well, if this passage was chosen as a hiding place for himself and any family members he might have at Hogwarts, then he might have been making some final preparations to this chosen hiding place.

There's only one thing that's really bugging me. Ok, it's a person, really. Percy Weasley. When Harry and Ron (Polyjuiced) head towards Slytherin's common room they run into Percy. Ron and Harry assume Percy is trying to catch Slytherin's heir himself. The readers start to suspect Percy has just come back from a rendez-vous with his girlfriend. However, she's not in Slytherin house, so why is he snooping around down there? I know that this scene takes place down in the dungeons, but we don't know where that passage leads from the fourth floor. I can't completely rule out the idea that Percy came through that very passage and blocked it himself.... And though I don't know why he would do such a thing, we can all agree Percy's been acting more and more strangely, and it's not just teenage hormones kicking in. The potions book plotline was removed from Chamber of Secrets, but we still have two possible book-related plots going on here: Tom Riddle's diary... and the prefect book Percy was reading at Flourish and Blotts. Ok, so maybe Voldemort isn't hiding behind some F&B's bookcase, but something horrible might be on the shelves....

I must think some more... and re-read some more.

Correction 1: Though Penelope is in Ravenclaw Harry and Ron ran into her near Slytherin house's common room before they ran into Percy.

Correction 2: Percy found the prefect book at a second-hand store, not Flourish & Blotts.

Addition 1: Another possibility (like we needed any more) is that Ginny blocked the fourth floor passageway while being possessed by the Voldemort from the diary (Diarymort or Voldymem).

Addition 2: Is the blocked fourth floor related to the rubble Harry, Ron and Lockhart find in the tunnel leading to the chamber?

The Other Philosopher's Stone

2007-05-23T15:53:00.000-06:00

As I mentioned before, someone "leaked" some teasers about Deathly Hallows.

One of them had to do with there being something other than gold, something hidden, in Harry's Gringotts vault. That's actually not such a big surprise. The interesting part is what the item could be, how it got there, and why it's there.

I'd already suggested that Harry somehow comes across another Philosopher's Stone. I mean, we have Dumbledore telling Harry, in PS/SS, that that "particular" stone was destroyed... the one belonging to Nicholas Flamel. Flamel was the only known maker of the stone. It doesn't mean he's the only person to have ever made one. It also doesn't mean he only made one.

I had also suggested that Harry finds this "new" stone in the locked Love Room of the Department of Mysteries. My reasoning was that the stone has also been a symbol of love and perfection, not just a way to make gold or gain immortality. The people who work at the DoM are called Unspeakables because they do not speak about the things they study or develop in their department. So, if they had access to a Philsopher's Stone they would be bound not to tell the wizarding public about it. I considered the possibility that Lily worked for the ministry, as an Unspeakable... in the so-called Love Room itself.

But after the supposed teaser leak I got to thinking again. What if the stone is actually in Harry's vault? How did it get there? Then I thought back....

If you go to www.jkrowling.com and find the cool items to add to your scrapbook, one of them is an exerpt of an early draft from PS/SS, from way back in 1991. In it, the trio talk about Nicholas Flamel, how he's known for making the Philosopher's Stone, and how he died because someone stole his stone, leaving the Flamels without enough Elixir of Life to keep them alive much longer (not long enough to make another one, at least). Then Harry tells Hermione and Ron about his and Hagrid's trip to Gringotts. Harry states that Hagrid removed the stone from Harry's vault (not vault 713) when Harry withdrew some of his gold. The trio go on to discuss how the stone got into Harry's vault. I believe it's Ron (of course) who suggests Harry's parents stole Flamel's stone. Harry doesn't take the suggestion well, since he equates stealing the stone with killing the Flamels... someone else had to have stolen it. Someone else had placed it in Harry's vault. Jo chose to abandon this plotline, opting instead for the Flamels to still be alive and to choose to let the stone be destroyed, to choose death instead of eternal life.

Now why did she take this route? It's not really a matter of whether the Flamels live, since they die in both versions. Jo decides to have Flamel choose death. It's best to remove Voldemort's temptation -- keeping Voldemort from the stone is worth dying for.

This still doesn't rule out the existance of another stone. It greatly decreases the chance that Nicholas Flamel had ever made more then one, though.

Now let's look at Lily and James. Lily is particularly good at potions (a major component of alchemy) and charms. James is particularly good at Transfiguration (another major component to alchemy, since it's one of alchemy's main goals). Could they have been advanced enough at such a young age to produce a Philosopher's Stone? Perhaps. But why would they even try to make one? James came from a wealthy family and inheritted lots of money from his parents, so they were in no need of more wealth... nor do they seem greedy. They apparently didn't have any Elixir of Life on hand when Voldemort came to call, nor do they seem to fear death. James faces Voldemort with courage and pride. Lily sacrifices herself, ultimately saving Harry from a Killing Curse. Here, protecting your family from Voldemort is worth dying for. Harry's what's worth making a Philosopher's Stone for -- the hope that he'd use it some day (not for gold or everlasting life but) to defeat Voldemort.

But what if Lily and James didn't work together to make a stone? As brilliant at magic as they must have been, they did die in their early 20's. Flamel was quite old when he finally succeeded in making the stone, and he had been trying for many years. Back to the idea that it could have been made over several years in the Department of Mysteries, perhaps with Lily's help (if she worked there). The Unspeakables wouldn't be allowed to tell the public they'd made one, so the general public would continue to give Flamel sole credit. So, how would it end up in Harry's vault? Like Harry says to Hermione and Ron in that old draft -- someone stole it and placed it in his vault. But who? If it's Lily and/or James we're stuck with the reality of them being thieves, and though that's not cool at least they didn't murder the Flamels. Perhaps helping Harry is worth stealing for....

This leaves a huge question still: why would James and Lily (or anyone, for that matter) provide Harry with a Philosopher's Stone when we figure that if it's there in the vault it would have to have been there for a very long time, probably before Voldemort attacked the Potters? Someone knew the prophesy... in it's entirety... and expected Harry to survive the attack.

There is a good chance that Dumbledore told Lily and James the complete prophesy (after Snape warned Dumbledore that the Potters were the chosen target). This would allow Lily and James to prepare for the possibility of attack, in the event that their Secret Keeper spilled the secret. This would help explain why James could have the forethought to send his Invisibility Cloak to Dumbledore, expecting Harry to survive and eventually attend Hogwarts. Dumbledore said he and Harry were the only ones who knew the full contents of the prophesy, but he must mean that no one else alive as of OotP knows the full contents... and he could yet be wrong.

Whoever placed the stone in Harry's vault (if one was placed in there before the attack) would have to have known Harry would survive the attack... or at least expected him to.

The only candidates I can think of for expecting Harry's survival and planning for his training would be: Lily, James, Dumbledore, Snape (if he heard the entire prophesy), and whoever worked in the Hall of Prophesy and labeled the prophesy orb.

On Entering the Arena....

2007-05-23T15:39:00.000-06:00

Some quotes from the series:

"Very good," said Voldemert softly, and as he raised his wand the pressure bearing down on Harry lifted too. "And now you will face me, like a man... straightbacked and proud, the way your father died... "And now --we duel." (GOF PB US Edition p. 660 Chapter 34 Priori Incantatem)

"That one of us is going to end up killing the other," said Harry.

"Yes."

But he understood at last what Dumbledore had been trying to tell him. It was, he thought, the difference between being dragged into the arena to face a battle to the death and walking into the arena with your head held high. Some people, perhaps would say that there was little to choose between the two ways, but Dumbledore knew -- and so do I, thought Harry, with a rush of fierce pride, and so did my parents -- that there was all the difference in the world. (HBP HB US Edition p. 512 Chapter 23 Horcruxes)

Entering an arena with your head held high, that's what Harry seems to be doing on this cover. Il Colosseo is still a good candidate for the arena-like scene depicted here.

Some Teasers that Came My Way

2007-05-16T12:10:00.000-06:00

Typically I wouldn't bother to even talk about such things: teasers and spoilers. I will definitely not give away spoilers if I come across any. However, someone posted some teasers on a site (the post has since been removed). I'm interested in them only because they are vague enough that I can fit them into what I think will happen... without giving away any spoilers myself.

Here are the teasers I found from a single, now unknown source:

Pettigrew's Silver hand is vitally important to Dumbledore. When this teaser showed up people in the Dumbledore-isn't-dead camp chimed up immediately to suggest that Wormtail's silver right hand could be used to replace Dumbldore's right hand, restoring his health. I'm sorry to say this makes no sense, since Dumbldore is in fact very dead. If there is any truth to this teaser it would have to be that the fact of Wormtail's silver hand is vital to Harry's cause, in some way. It's a matter of metallurgy, anyway. We know Voldemort conjured the hand, we think it's made of pure silver, we know Dumbldore taught Voldemort Transfiguration and probably knows not just Voldemort's magical strengths but also his weaknesses. How nice would it be for Harry to be related to the wizard (from Godric's Hollow) who invented the Golden Snitch? Maybe Harry will turn out to have a knack for metallurgy himself? Perhaps Harry will figure out how to disarm Wormtail or manipulate the silver hand.

The gold in Harry's bank covers something far more important to Harry than gold. The concensus is that there is something hidden underneath the piles of gold, either in his family vault or the Black family vault he recently inheritted. At first I wanted it to be the flying motorcycle, but that seems a bit odd for the vault, doesn't it? How would it have ended up there? Besides, I'd like for the bike to come to Harry through some grand gesture of Hagrid's. No, I think it will be something smaller but still quite valuable and useful. Some goblin-made armor might be good, an extra Philosopher's Stone would be most-helpful during battle, as well.... I admit there are too many possibilities here.

Sirius Black is related to an important Half-Blood. Well I suppose he wouldn't be a blood relative of Voldemort; Severus Snape is a good bet, though. The Black family tapestry has so many burned out names and truncated branches that it wouldn't the least bit surprise me if Sirius Black were somehow related to the Prince family line, making him related (by blood or by marriage) to Severus Snape. The split of the families could have happened multiple generations ago and it's just not shown in the tapestry because someone's name was removed, their marriages and progeny simply never recorded there. If the Princes were ever anywhere on the family tree (and Jo simply hasn't disclosed this branch) then Eileen would have been scorched off for marrying a Muggle anyway. Makes me wonder more about any friendship between Severus and Sirius's younger brother Regulus. I mean, who introduced Regulus to the ranks of the Death Eaters? Since Regulus is younger than Sirius and Severus, and Lucius is too old to have been at Hogwarts by the time Regulus attended (Lucius was apparently in his last year when Severus started) then did Severus bring Regulus as an initiate? And, for that matter, did Severus do so because he wanted to, or did Regulus insist? Hmmm.

Harry gets an unexpected friend-- something that we previousy thought disliked him. Something? I'm sure Harry has friends he doesn't recognize. Sure, but something? The best bet here is probably Kreacher. On the UK Children's cover for "Deathly Hallows" we can see that there is a House-Elf like creature riding on Harry's back and holding what appears to be Gryffindor's sword (or something quite similar). I first thought it was Dobby, but Kreacher would be a good option. He belongs to Harry and must follow direct orders. Besides, time away from the deranged portrait of Mrs. Black, as well as time with the Hogwarts House-Elves, might have done Kreacher a world of good. He might come to recognize that Harry means well and isn't such a bad master, despite being a Half-Blood. Who knows, Harry might grant Kreacher his dying wish: put his head up on the wall in Black house, assuming Kreacher will still desire that supposed honor -- he could well change his mind.

After being Demented, Dudley learns how to do something... Again, thoughts flew all over the place that Dudley would learn some magic, even how to conjur a Patronus. I'm sorry -- no, I'm actually quite happy -- to say that this will not happen. It simply makes no sense, not even for him to learn Occlumency. Sure, someone will produce a burst of magic in some desperate measure to attack or defend someone (according to an interview with Jo), but it's not going to be the most-definitely Muggle Dudley. I suspect Dudley will finally realize that his parents haven't really treated him as they should, haven't raised him to support himself. He will realize he's been an abuse victim all these years, oblivious to the poor upbringing. I hope that he realizes he has a lot to learn about the real world, that he can actually go to Harry for help. We don't know what Dudley saw (the horrible memories he relived) when he wa attacked by the dementors, but I have a feeling it's far worse than remembering some birthday he didn't get a certain present he wanted, or the feeling of being playfully snapped at by a snake on the loose. Maybe, just maybe, Dudley learns to grow up and be a man, not a bully. Sadly, the future looks generally poor for Dudley, and he may never recover from his spoiled childhood.

Dumbledore has made an invention that comes in very handy for Harry. Who invented the Pensieve? Or the Put-Outer? What about Dumbledore's super-cool golden pocketwatch... or any number of silver instruments to be found in the Headmaster's office? The Pensieve might be simply too old for Dumbledore to be its inventor. I have a feeling it's something metal. The best bet is the silver instrument that emits smoke in the form of entwined snakes. It could be a horcrux detector of some variety. It's also entirely possible that Jo intoduces us to a previously unknown, unseen item. Introducing objects, at this point, is a lot easier than introducing new characters.

Someone important to Harry dies suddenly rather early in the book. I immediately considered Rubeus Hagrid. He just seems destined to die. Early on, even before Dumbledore died, some other sleuths and I were discussing Alchemy, particularly Soul Alchemy. There are three main stages, three major chemical transitions: black, white, and red, in that order. First Sirius Black dies (that's the black). Then Albus Dumbldore dies (that's the white, since albus means white). So we should expect someone symbolizing red to die. Enter Rubeus (red) Hagrid. I hate to lose him, but it seems fitting that he should go. It also makes sense that he would die suddenly. We've seen how strong and tough he is (the Stunning spells kept bouncing off him when Umbridge and several others tried to capture him). However, we've already realized that full-blood giants could kill him - to them he is but small fry. How advantageous for Voldemort to have a gurg in his camp, rounding his followers to do Voldemort's bidding (like the fake hurricane)? It would also explain how Harry could end up with Sirius's flying motorcycle... and quite early in the book, without it necessarily being a birthday present from Hagrid or an inherrited item directly from Sirius. It's simply another option.

In the chapter of the book, there is a poem which serves as much of the driving action for the first quarter of the book. This is how the teaser appeared, so I don't know what chapter the person meant. Some people thought of the Sorting Hat, but I don't know that we'll ever hear the Sorting Hat again, at least not until after the war is over and things have returned to "normal". I wish the same as the hat -- that the houses be destroyed, and that students attend Hogwarts in a more united fashion, not warring with each other over principle. Therefore, we really might never get another poem or song from the Sorting Hat. I've been leaning toward the idea that Harry re-evaluates the poem on the Gringotts wall, the one warning against thieves. It sure looks like Harry will have issues getting to his gold, so any poem or riddle posed by the wizarding bank would be quite telling if it appears early in the plot. Another good option, mentioned by a fellow sleuth, is that Harry finds a poem on the gravesites of his parents, and that this pushes him along for much of the plot. Another, but much less contemplated idea I've had is that Harry finds another Severus Snape original. Recall back to when Snape wrote a poem (riddle) about which potion to drink to get through to the next chamber. Hermione was most helpful here, since, as she says, most wizards don't understand logic. If Harry gets the HBP's potions book back early in the plot and reads more of the scribbles (trying to learn as much about his supposed enemy as he can) he might come across a poem Severus wrote -- who knows how long ago.... What would Harry learn from it? Hmmm...

Well, that's all the teasers I had found. Not sure if there's anything to them, but it was worth a thought... or two.

The Countdown

2007-05-09T15:35:00.000-06:00

Draco's wand gives insight into character (well, duh)

2007-05-08T11:51:00.000-06:00

JKR updated her site to answer some more book FAQs, so I plan to do a few posts about these new bits of info.

She revealed that Draco's wand is, in fact, made from hawthorn, May's birth flower/tree. However she has not said what the core is....

Hawthorn tells us something very important about Draco's character and what he might do in the future. Basically, the scene where Draco lowers the wand he'd pointed at Dumbledore is just the begining of his turn around. True, we figured as much, right? Well, hawthorn is all about healing the heart, giving psychic shield protection, opening up to love and understanding, and spiritual development.

Hawthorn is a thorny tree (of course) and we must remember that thorns are grown for personal protection. Draco is a natural at Occlumency, being able to block Snape after perhaps a single summer of practice, and with the hawthorn of his wand it's really no wonder at all that he would learn it so quickly.

For a while (once Christianity took over Rome, Greece, and Britain) the meaning was changed from one of love and fertility to one of bad luck, enforced chastity, and misfortune. It has since regained some of it's more positive aspects. Of course, Draco is most-likely in for more bad luck and misfortune before things get better for him. Losing the nerve to kill Dumbledore was the first step after "Draco's detour", but it was a really big step.

Will he take up an offer for protection if Snape offers it?

(Lots of thanks to http://www.whitedragon.org.uk/articles/hawthorn.htm for info on hawthorn....)

More on Helga Hufflepuff

2007-05-07T11:49:00.000-06:00

Helga's name is often (but not always) changed in translation. More can be learned about her by analysing how her name changes from language to language. These are not mere translations; her name completely changes meaning sometimes.

For example, the French translation mentions her as Helga Poufsouffle. Well, here's a clear reference to her food-related magic -- a puffy souffle.

The Italian version of her name is removed from food references. Tosca is a well-known opera. Here the important part is the last name. Tasso has a few definitions: rate, badger, and yew. Rosso can mean red, purple, or redhead. She's a Redheaded Badger!

I'm intruiged by the possible connection to yew, though....

Hufflepuff and Prewitt?

2007-05-03T15:21:00.000-06:00

Well, well, well. Now it makes perfect sense why the Hufflepuff commonroom and dorms are near the kitchens....

Helga Hufflepuff, as described and depicted on JKR's site (Wizard of the Month, May 2007), looks rather suspiciously like Molly Weasley... plump, orange-red hair. And they are each exceptional at food-related charms.

Does this mean the Prewitts are related to Helga Hufflepuff?

Is Helga holding the cup Harry must find? If so, where is the picture of the badger...facing Helga? Or is this just some other cup that belonged to her?

Hmmm.

Unfogging the Future Plotline, revamp part 1

2007-04-26T12:50:00.000-06:00

The future is proving much too foggy for me to parse it out into chapters.

So, let's start over. I'm leaving my first post on this subject up, but only for posterity's sake. It might be worth a laugh....

Here, in no particular timeline order, are my predictions (and statements of already-known bits). A few of my predictions have changed, but not much:

Harry returns to #4 Privet Drive for his shortest stay ever. I think it will be no more than a week, perhaps only a day or two. Though Ron and Hermione say that they will accompany Harry to visit his aunt and uncle, I think they will not go to #4 Privet Drive with him.
Dudley has been trying to figure out how his parents have damaged him. Sadly, Dudley will never fully recover from his horrible upbringing.
There is more to Petunia than we have seen so far. No, Petunia is not a witch or a Squib. She will not be using any magic. Petunia confides in Harry more info she had previously held back about her involvement in the wizarding world. This should include some specifics about correspondence between herself and Dumbledore. I think Harry will (because he's obsessing over it) mention that Dumbledore was killed by Severus Snape. Petunia will admit she knows who he is, and it will become clear to Harry, finally, that "that aweful boy" Petunia overheard talking about dementors to Lily was in fact Severus Snape, when they were kids, not James Potter.
Harry gets escorted to the Burrow by members of the Order (as stated on one of the book covers). The Order might have to fight off Death Eaters during the trip (suggested by the same book cover).
Harry spends his birthday at the Burrow. It being his 17th birthday, the haul of presents will be quite good. Watch out for Hagrid's gift; it should prove to be particularly important -- I think it will be the flying motorcycle Sirius let him keep when he tried to return it.
Harry will receive something from Dumbledore, either as a birthday gift planned way in advance or through Dumbledore's will. I'm holding out for Harry to receive the Pensieve, the golden pocketwatch, and perhaps even some silver instrument Dumbledore used to keep in his office (like the one that emitted smoke in the shape of two entwined snakes). It would be most useful if he received the Pensieve, so that Harry can learn to use it... also so that Harry can examine some of his own memories. The golden pocketwatch would also be a good item for Harry to receive, since the Weasley men tend to receive a golden watch on their 17th birthday. Plus, that pocket watch could be really useful.
Bill and Fleur will get married in August. The wedding will be quite eventful. There are too many possibilities here; Fred and George could play a big prank, Dobby (or someone else) could crash the wedding or the reception, Percy might reunite with the family, Scrimgeour might show up to confront Harry....
Umbridge still works for the Ministry, and JKR will have more fun with the character. How this is going to play out... the fog is too thick. Now that Dumbledore is gone and McGonagall has taken over as Headmistress of Hogwarts, Scrimgeour will set Umbridge upon the school once more -- this part is doubtful. Since she's failed to control Hogwarts once already, and she's afraid of centaurs (Firenze teaches Divination there, along side Trelawney), I think any assignment she has regarding Hogwarts would be from a distance. I'd like to see Fred and George play a prank on her, or for Harry to prank her using WWW products. Umbridge is quite afraid of centaurs now. At the end of OotP, Ron starts having fun with Umbridge by making horse hoof sounds with his mouth. At Dumbledore's funeral Umbridge moves far away from Firenze, and she's probably one of the people who scream when the centaurs shoot arrows as their show of respect for Dumbledore. She's also quite wary of Hagrid and Grawp... well, with half-breeds and non-humans in general. I think Umbridge's increased fear of half-breeds and creatures (particularly horse-like animals) will lead to her further humiliation and downfall.
Harry will travel to Godric's Hollow while Ron and Hermione return to Hogwarts. He'll use the flying motorcycle to get there.
The Dursleys (mainly Vernon) will demand to see the house Harry has inheritted. A trip to #12 Gimmauld Place is not want Harry wants, but he goes anyway. This must happen quite early in the book, perhaps within the first few chapters. Hilarity ensues as the Muggles try to enter and check out the house, enchanted as it is.
At #12 Grimmauld Place, Harry will notice Regulus Black's name on the Black family tapestry. Regulus will be R.A.B. Harry will look for the locket there but not find it. He'll call on Kreacher, who must obey, and demand to know what Kreacher did with the locket. Kreacher will look in his "nest" and find it is missing. Harry will recall Mundungus's theft of Black family heirlooms and search for him. Mundungus will admit he sold the locket to none other than the bartender of The Hog's Head, Aberforth Dumbledore.
Aberforth Dumbledore has a long memory (Albus says this in OotP). Harry will go to The Hog's Head and speak with Aberforth, in an attempt to retrieve the locket Mundungus stole. Aberforth will give Harry some memories (in vials) or will simply recount stories -- about the previous war with Voldemort (1970's), about Albus's life (including his battle with Grindlewald), about Severus Snape (eavesdropping on the prophesy, etc.), and other topics of interest.
Bezoars are rare (Slughorn says this in HBP). Therefore, bezoars are probably a bit expensive... and lucrative. Aberforth has a reason for his odd association with goats. I think he's been charming goats to produce bezoars faster or in higher quantities than they normally would. Considering his dealings with Mundungus even after he banned him from the bar, it's not too far a stretch to suggest that Aberforth and "Dung" were in the bezoar business together. Aberforth raised charmed goats, and Dung sold the bezoars. Aberforth got called in for his charmed goats, and Albus helped his brother's case. This is probably when Aberforth banned Dung from the bar... after the legal issues. It didn't keep Aberforth and Dung from doing some sort of business transactions outside of the bar.
Madam Irma Pince will turn out to be somehow related to Severus Snape. I'm not ready to predict exactly how they are related, but Irma is probably either his older sister or his mother. We're not sure Severus even has a sibling, so I'm leaning more towards mother. I'll give some of my reasoning here:

Irma's physical appearance is described in similar terms as for Eileen... and Severus.

If there is any truth to the Irma Pince anagrams of "I'm a Prince" or "I am Prince", then it would make more sense for her to be Eileen (née Prince) than for her to be a sister (née Snape) of Severus.

Eileen Prince was a Gobstones champion in her schooldays, and that is considered a bit nerdy (wizard chess is cool), even by Hermione's standards. Becoming a librarian would be perfect for Eileen.

It would be humorous for Severus (who scribbled mercilessly in his textbooks) to have a mother who detests such behavior.

If Severus's switch to Dumbledore's side is sincere (and I think it is), and Dumbledore publicly proclaims Severus's denouncement of the Death Eaters (which he does more than once, including during Karkaroff's trial), then Dumbledore would offer Severus the same thing he offered Draco: protecting him and his family from Voldemort. Remember, Voldemort doesn't just kill his enemy, he kills off the entire family of his enemy... and the enemy's friends... you get the idea. Anyway, Hogwarts would be a safe place to keep Severus's family members.

A secret passageway on the fourth floor of Hogwarts was blocked off sometime after Severus and the Mauraders left Hogwarts but before Harry started attending the school. This blocked passageway will turn out to be connected to Severus Snape. As an extention to the above part (Snape's relatives in hiding idea) I believe the blocked passage's location, relative to the library, means it's a particularly good place for Dumbledore and Snape to hide Snape's relatives. It would also be a good place for Snape to hide. This also leads to my next prediction....
Harry will find out that Snape snuck back into Hogwarts (through tunnels, probably) and impersonated Irma Pince by dressing up in the same outfit Mundungus uses to enter The Hog's Head. If Irma is really Eileen or some other relative of Severus, then she would probably let him hide at the school and impersonate her. Severus attended Dumbledore's funeral by wearing the veil. Filch (apparently a really good friend of Severus's, possibly attracted to Irma) may or may not know about the switch.
Severus's memory of his parents fighting might turn out to be evidence that his parents got divorced. Since JKR likes to "kill" off Muggle relatives, Tobias might have died of natural causes. Either way, I think Tobias is out of the picture and doesn't need protection from Voldemort. Plotwise, it would be more interesting if Tobias found out Eileen was a witch (when Severus was a small boy) and left her, much like Riddle Sr. left Merope. It would give us (and Harry) more insight into the choices Severus has made. Harry has paralleled young Voldemort and Severus Snape -- witch mother, Muggle father, wizarding child who chooses to associate with the wizarding side of the family. I think this will be the big difference: Voldemort kills his father and his paternal grandparents; Severus does not kill his father or other relatives... and means them no harm. It dawns on Harry that Severus couldn't possibly stoop to such cruelty, even though his childhood was miserable... and despite his otherwise cruel behavior.
Severus's Killing Curse is not what killed Dumbledore. Or I should say, Severus used a combination of a failing Avada Kedavra (said out loud), Wingardium Leviosa (or some other levitation charm, nvbl), and a nvbl Banishing spell. It's the only way to achieve the effects Harry saw on the tower. If you are hit with a lethal Killing Curse you just colapse in a heap right where you stand (like poor Cedric). However, Dumbledore was lifted into the air and sent over the ramparts. The Killing Curse alone cannot do this.
On a similar topic, Dumbledore did not beg for his life, he begged for death. He wasn't affraid of death. Besides, he knew about the Unbreakable Vow Severus took for Narcissa and would not want Severus to die.
On the same topic, Dumbledore owed Severus a Life Debt ever since Severus stopped the curse (from the ring horcrux) from spreading up Dumbledore's arm. This would be during the summer before Harry's 6th year at Hogwarts. Though Dumbledore didn't fear death he probably didn't want to die having not fulfilled his Life Debt to Severus. Spiritually it would be even worse than that for Dumbledore -- to actually cause or allow the death of the person you owe a Life Debt to.... Seriously bad Karma, there. Dumbledore reminded Snape that he (like Harry) had promised to do whatever Dumbledore said. So, again, Dumbledore is asking for death, not for his life to be spared.

I'll continue this later. Make sure to check here from time to time and see if I have updated anything... changed my predictions, etc.

A Theory about Pince and Snape (and Filch)

2007-04-24T14:15:00.000-06:00

Remember back in OOtP when Mundungus turned out to be the "hag" in the women's black robes and the long black veil? I always expected that to come back into the plot somehow....

I think Irma Pince should be rearranged into "I am Prince" instead of "I'm a Prince".

Harry notices Irma Pince hanging around Filch in HBP. In previous books we never see them together. We have, however seen Snape and Filch hanging around and talking to each other many times, confiding in each other. No, I'm not trying to ship Snape/Filch...that would be disgusting... come on, Filch with anyone is a sick idea :)

I think Snape snuck back into the castle through a tunnel passage and is impersonating Irma Pince. He's got the same veiled outfit that Mundungus wore at the Hog's Head, and who knows where Pince is right now.

Notice that when we see Filch and Pince we don't hear their conversation. The trio assume love is in the air, but why?

If Snape were taking Polyjuice potion (when "Pince" is seen, sans veil, with Filch) then we would know something's up as soon as the trio (probably Hermione, since she's in the library all the time) notices the voice is not quite right for the librarian.

At the funeral, when we can't really see Pince under the thick veil, they just assume it is her. It might be that Snape couldn't take Polyjuice Potion this time (either no time to brew it or couldn't get more hair from Pince), so he borrowed the veiled outfit from Mundungus, who might not yet have known what Snape is now accused of, namely killing Albus Dumbledore.... Besides, Mundungus is a shady character and might not care what Snape used it for....

Of course, it really could be Pince with Filch the first time, and Snape impersonating her only later at the funeral.

This would mean that Snape attended Dumbledore's funeral....

Unfogging the Future Plotline, part one

2007-04-23T12:25:00.000-06:00

Please take note: though I'm leaving this post up until further notice, I am in the middle of revamping my predictions posts. I will no longer try to break them up into chapters or even a specific timeline. It's just too difficult to do, since "Deathly Hallows" will probably be over 30 chapters, and I can't possibly guess what will happen in a particular chapter. Also, I might not follow the same pattern for the pictures I use in these posts. Anyway, here's the orginal post:
As July 21st approaches I realize I must make my "Deathly Hallows" predictions if I want to get them out there before it's too late. So, here's how I think the plot might play out in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I very much doubt that the book will follow the same timeline as mine, but I hope the plotline is pretty close. At least this is sort of how I'd like to see it play out.... I'm sure JKR's work will still blow me away and humble me greatly!

Oh, and quick note -- Each of my "prediction" posts will feature a picture of somewhere Harry might travel to during his quest. The artwork shown in this post is "The Coliseum", by Silvana Brunotti (born Jan. 23, 1932). The website I found it at (http://www.silvanabrunotti.it/pictures_of_rome.htm) has the following caption for this painting:

I think it's the best example I can find to support GrandPre's use of the orange sky in her US edition cover art....

Anyway, back to the plotline. I'm making up these chapter titles (and chapter breaks), and I don't expect them to match JKR's at all. My chapter titles suck, I'm just trying to break this down into reasonable segments, so I'm taking some major creative licence here.

Chapter One (The Hunt is On): Harry has been escorted back to #4 Privet Drive, for his shortest stay ever, by members of the Order. The weather is miserable.

Dudley still doesn't understand how his parents have abused him, though he's bound to have a tantrum if he doesn't get more birthday presents than he received last year.

Though he's looking forward to Bill and Fleur's wedding, Harry can't get Severus Snape's apparently heartless murder of Dumbledore out of his head. He also thinks of Draco's inability to complete the task he was given; Harry wonders if Draco could change sides. He might even start to feel sorry for the Malfoys, though not very sorry -- they brought this mess upon themselves.

Harry's anxious to start searching for the horcruxes. He knows he will have to ditch the Order somehow. But first, there is a wedding to attend (he received the wedding invitation), and he has mixed feelings about being around Ginny, whom he recently broke up with (his attempt to protect her). He also plans on travelling to Godric's Hollow and visiting his parents' graves, but this will have to wait. He needs his own transportation....

Meanwhile Vernon can only think about Harry's inherited money and real estate. He asks Harry where the house is and wants to know how much money Harry has in the bank. Harry doesn't know how much money he has (and he probably wouldn't tell Vernon how much even if he did know), but he verifies to Vernon that did indeed inherit #12 Grimmauld Place, in London. Vernon wants to see this house, but Harry doesn't want to visit the place. If the Dursleys want to see #12 Grimmauld Place they'll have to go there without him. On second thought, this could be worth a laugh.... How will the house's enchantments respond to Vernon trying to enter and tour the house? The Dursleys and Harry go to #12 Grimmauld Place. There are diffuiculties getting the group of Muggles into the house, due to the enchantments put in place by Mr. Black. The painting of Mrs. Black curses and rants about Muggles and Mudbloods; her portrait can't stand the fact that Harry has inherited the house and property. Hilarity ensues as the Dursleys display fear and hatred of every magical thing they see. Petunia is shocked by all the dirt and grime (despite all the cleaning done roughly two years ago).

Harry looks at the family tapestry and notices the name of Regulus Black. What was it Lupin and Sirius said about Sirius's younger brother Regulus? Joined the Death Eaters quite young, got in so deep, couldn't deal with it, tried to leave, got killed for treachery. Regulus A. Black was the R.A.B. who found out about the horcruxes and stole the locket! So, now Harry tries to think back to all the things Sirius tried to throw away when the Order moved in. He vaguely remembers a large locket no one could open, but he doesn't recall an engraving with emeralds, nor does he have any idea where it is now. There is not enough time to make a thorough search of the house right now, so it will have to be resumed later.

They return to #4 Privet Drive, Vernon furious, Dudley frightened, and Petunia disgusted, yet pensive. Harry is glad, now, that he went back to the house he had so wanted to avoid. He has some very interesting news to share with Ron and Hermione.

Chapter Two (Petunia's Revelation): As Harry's 17th birthday approaches Petunia is wrought with worry. Up until the point at which Petunia and Dumbledore disagreed on when Harry would be considered an adult, Petunia didn't seem to care about Harry. But once Petunia realized Harry would be moving out of #4 Privet Drive by the time he turned 17, she's been rethinking things. Maybe she actually feels bad about how they treated Harry all these years, or maybe she just worries what will happen to Vernon, Dudley, and herself after Harry leaves. Either way, she will divulge important information about events of the past, though Harry might not immediately realize their significance. I expect Severus Snape's name to come up in this discussion. Harry will find out that Petunia was not talking about James when she said "that aweful boy"; she was talking about Severus Snape. Revelation one: Lily and Severus knew each other and socialized outside of school.

While still puzzling over Aunt Petunia's words (particularly the odd friendship between his mom and Snape), Harry awaits Order members to pick him up and take him away to the Burrow, where he will celebrate his birthday and attend a wedding.

Chapter Three (For Whom the Wedding Bells Toll): The Order has arrived again and delivered Harry to the Burrow, where the Weasleys, Hermione, and Fleur are all happy to see him, as usual. However, there is much talk about the latest deaths and disappearances throughout wizarding Britain (maybe also about things happening abroad).

Harry's 17th birthday (July 31, 1997) is cause for much celebration in the Burrow, and Harry receives some cool gifts. Amongst all the presents will be something very useful for his cause (probably from Hagrid). It would be perfect timing if Hagrid sends Sirius's old flying motorcycle to Harry at this time. Dumbledore will have planned for his 17th birthday way in advance, and there will be something from him, as well -- either the golden pocketwatch, the Pensieve, or some silver instrument Harry once saw in the office when Dumbledore was Headmaster.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione will discuss things they can do together, before Ron and Hermione return to school (Hogwarts manages to continue, somehow, and letters arrive for Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny). Molly tries to persuade Harry to return to Hogwarts, but in the end Harry will have his way and not return, at least not as a student.

Just like when Harry first got the Invisibility Cloak and had to try it that night, Harry has to try out his flying motorcycle. With the flying motorcycle (and some form of navigation), Harry sets off (at night) on a trip to Godric's Hollow to visit the gravesites... alone. Ron and Hermione stay behind to cover up his absence. He returns to the Burrow the next day, filling Ron and Hermione in on what he saw. He hasn't found the ruins of the house, only the graves. He tells them what was carved on the headstones. There are more questions than answers.

The wedding day arrives for Bill (scarred by Fenrir's attack but dressed in groom's robes) and Fleur (radiant in her bridal gown/robes and a borrowed golden tiara). Ginny and Gabrielle are dressed in pale gold (so the outfit won't clash with Ginny's hair). Harry, Ron, Hermione, and the rest are wearing their best dress robes for the occasion. The wedding has some sweet moments, but the weather is cold and foul. The overall feeling is one of worried anticipation. It feels a lot like it did the last time Voldemort was powerful -- people on both sides getting married in a rush. Tonks and Lupin consider getting hitched. Ron and Hermione exchange glances, also thinking about tying the knot. Thankfully, there's some comic relief, due to the antics of Fred and George.

After the wedding (or perhaps crashing the reception) Dobby arrives to warn Harry about something. Kreacher is up to no good; though he can't disobey a direct order, he has found a way to sabotage Harry's cause. Harry is reminded of how Kreacher managed to turn one of Sirius's commands into a loophole and then he vaguely remembers once telling Kreacher (soon after he had inheritted him) to "get out of it". Kreacher has found another loophole.

Bad news arrives: repressed by the wizarding world, in general, and hopeful that they can gain in status, the goblins have joined Voldemort's side. Gringotts has been effectively shut down, the security so high that no one can get to their gold unless they are Death Eaters or other Voldemort supporters.

Chapters 4 and beyond in subsequent posts....

Horus vs. Seth

2007-04-21T09:49:00.000-06:00

In early Egyptian myth, Seth (Set, Setekh, Sut, Sutekh, Suty) was a popular and beneficial deity, but by the Third Intermediate Period Seth was portrayed as evil. In the Nineteenth Dynasty he saw a revival, but he has been type-cast as the villian by the Greek, Roman, and Christian theologists.

Seth used to battle Horus the Elder in the good old days. It was meant to be a never-ending battle because Seth and Horus the Elder were equals. When Seth was villianized a myth was created to destroy him (and end the struggle between good and evil, with good winning). Seth's wife disguised herself as Isis and slept with Osiris, leading to the birth of Anubis. Instead of punishing his own wife, Seth held a grudge against Osiris and killed him. Isis somehow conceived a child with Osiris's dead and dismembered corpse.... Enter Horus the Younger (representing both the royal heir and the newborn sun), who took the place of Horace the Elder in battle with Seth. This Horus, trained in magic by Thoth, was more-than-a-match for Seth, as powerful as he was. This myth is often used as a metaphor for the reunification of Upper and Lower Egypt (Seth = Upper, Horus = Lower). (http://www.ancientegyptonline.co.uk/set.html)

I've noticed many parallels between the story of Harry vs. Voldemort and Horus the Younger vs. Seth:

Seth kills Osiris (but not Isis); Voldemort kills James (and kills Lily only after giving her the chance to live).

Horus the Younger battles Seth to avenge his father's death and is victorious; Harry will battle Voldemort to avenge his parents' deaths...and he should be victorious.

Thoth protects Horus and prepares him for battle; Dumbledore does much the same for Harry. The parallels between Thoth and Dumbledore are too numerous to even list here....

Seth is sometimes described as albino with red eyes (but he has hair, not bald); Voldemort is white skinned and red-eyed.

When Horus is in battle, he takes the form of a winged disk, which looks almost exactly like a golden snitch.... Seth (the villian) is associated with water animals, like snakes, crocodiles, and hippos. The Egyptians feared all of these animals, so they were thought of as "dark" creatures. When Seth gathers his army to wage war he has many of these animals with him, and Seth himself takes the form of either a crock or a hippo when he fights. Of course, Voldemort has gone through many transformations and has gained some snake-like features... plus he has Nagini by his side. I don't know about crocks or hippos, but Voldemort has giants, dementors, and inferi. Harry won't magically transform into a snitch, but he will have to play "hard to get" and should use youth and speed to his advantage, making him act like a snitch even though he won't look like one.

There are also some parallels between Horus the Elder and Harry. Horus the Elder also represented the sun (and the moon). One eye was the sun, one eye the moon, and images called the "Eye of Horus" were thought to be powerful protection amulets. Horus is god of the rising and setting sun.

Horus the Elder was blinded, leading him to kill the wrong person (someone on his side) during battle. He didn't realize the mistake until his sight had been restored. I suspect that Harry will have issues with his sight (perhaps he will lose his glasses in battle, or maybe this is just a matter of his perception) then his sight will be restored (or his perceptions will change), just to find out that he has killed, injured, or placed in mortal danger someone who was on his side all along. The best candidate for this loyal person who suffers from Harry's "blindness" is Snape.

Anfiteatrum Flavium

2007-04-20T12:26:00.000-06:00

I know I've considered the possiblity that the US edition of "Deathly Hallows" shows Voldemort and Harry at the ruins of the Potter house, possibly moved into the "Love Room" of a demolished Ministry of Magic. However, il Colosseo in Rome, or Anfiteatrum Flavium, is a perfect site for the final battle between Harry and Voldemort.

The wooden beams that once belonged to an upper level of the building have collapsed, and bronze clamps have been removed from between the stones. There are tunnels and vaulted arcades under the seating area.
It has become a Christain shrine... a deathly hallow all its own!

Not only was the colosseum used for gladitorial games, likely executions of Christian martyrs, and mock battles, but the arena was later (during Medieval times) turned into a cemetary. A church order once occupied the building, later another eligious order moved in. Sections were once converted into housing and workshops. The site is part of a yearly "Way of the Cross" procession lead by the Pope. The procession ends at the colosseum, where Stations of the Cross have been erected, each Good Friday.

From 1993 to 2000 it was under major restoration, so there wouldn't be many tourists hanging around (at least not inside the coloseum) during 1997 or 1998, the general time frame for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Though it could originally hold about 50,000 spectators, and that was once increased to roughly 80,000, the colosseum can now only support a few hundred people, in temporary seating.

Recently, the coloseum has become a symbol of the campaign against capital punishment. Since 2000 (after the HP series timeline ends), the night-time illumination has been changed from white to gold whenever someone sentenced to death has been released or their sentence lessened. Should we consider this a possibility that Harry and Voldemort will both survive, somehow... a reprieve from the death sentence? A release from the prophesy?

Speak not the number....

2007-04-19T12:12:00.000-06:00

I have (so far) found two references to 666 in the HP series. JKR isn't obvious about it, and she doesn't have to be....

But before I get to the examples, I want to state that 666 is a symbol of the ultimate apostasy -- it's the point at which one abandons their beliefs or their cause and takes up the opposing beliefs or cause. Without getting too deep into discussions about Satan, let's just think of 666 as the ultimate in human imperfection. It's the number for the physical world. We could say it's symbolic of all the foibles of mankind.

The first I found is in PS/SS, when Hermione reads about Nicholas Flamel to find out he is 665 years old... as of the previous year. That means in 1991 Nicholas Flamel is to turn 666. Dumbledore says he had a discussion with Flamel and that they decided it would be best to destroy the stone. Perhaps Dumbledore pointed out to Nicholas just how old he would be when his next birthday rolled around? I don't know how long it took for the Flamels to get their affairs in order (how much elixir they had remaining), but Nicholas Flamel probably died at the age of 666....

The second time I noticed a 666 reference it was much more subtle, in HBP. Harry is making Draught of Living Death in an attempt to win the vial of Felix Felicis, and using the HBP's potion notes, he's adding a clockwise stir after every 7th counterclockwise turn. He does this 7 back, 1 forward stirring technique three consecutive times before Slughorn tells the class to stop working. 7-1 = 6, 7-1 = 6, 7-1 = 6. That's a hidden 666.

In the first case, Flamel does the right thing and either destroys the stone or allows Dumbledore to destroy it. This was a difficult decision on the part of the Flamels, particularly Nicholas, since he made the stone. Dumbledore talks about Flamel as a friend and alchemy partner who might have made poor decisions in the past (choosing things that he didn't need, like immortality and material wealth). Here 666 seems to be symbolic of covetousness and greed, even the desire to prolong life beyond a natural lifespan. However, Nicholas finally realized the truth of it and conceeded to Dumbledore. I wish we could have heard Dumbledore's and Nicholas Flamel's "discussion".

Much the same could be said of the second senario: Harry wants the Felix Felicis (a dubious potion in itself) and will do whatever it takes to get it. Hermione considers it cheating and is concerned about the book, in general. We have to question whether the number is good or bad. For one thing, counterclockwise is generally considered "sinister" (both literally and figuratively), and clockwise is good, even "lucky". So adding a "lucky" stir after 7 sinister ones...this is good, right? And Harry uses the Felix Felicis as a means to a good end, right?

On a side note: If Harry had continued the Prince's directions to make the Draught of Living Death there would be this string of 6's. Are these potions instructions actually a "dark" way of making the draught? Would it be the same potion, or would it have "dark" properties and perhaps act more like a poison? Don't know, but it's something to consider, since Severus studied the Dark Arts so intently....

It's odd that two instances of the number 666 should lead to such positive outcomes. Flamel gives up the stone, giving in to old age and death. Harry uses the Felix Felicis to help his noble cause (regardless of tactics). Of course, we're brought back to what Dumbledore says... that it's the choices one makes, not their abilities. It also gives us insight into why Dumbledore gives people second (or more) chances to choose the "right" path. The temptations can be quite, well...tempting.

It looks as though, in the Potterverse, the number 666 is neither evil nor good, but just a symbol of human weakness.

Has anyone found other references to 666?

The Hallows of Britain Revisited

2007-04-13T07:25:00.000-06:00

From rereading HBP I have found a reference to a hamper. Slughorn tells Harry how Ambrosius Flume sends him a hamper of sweets every year on old Sluggo's birthday. In the HP epic, the hamper itself doesn't have an endless supply of Slughorn's favorite treats, but since He gets a new one every year, it's pretty much an everlasting supply.

Prakhar, who read my previous post on this subject, reminded me of the knife Harry received from Sirius. I'm not sure how this ties in to feeding the masses, but it could prove a good representation of 'Kyllell Llawfrodedd Farchog'. Good catch, Prakhar!

The Symbolism of Left and Right

2007-04-06T15:12:00.000-06:00

What is meant by Harry using his left hand to catch something (we can't see) and his right hand pushing down?

Could this be a clue that Harry has turned Voldemort's Dark Arts against him?

I'm not sure if the right hand is actually making contact with the rock, but if so Harry could be trying to gain leverage and climb through the rubble.

By the way, what is this rubble, and where are they?

One idea I've had is that they are in the so far unseen locked room of the Department of Mysteries, the often-called Love Room. So, what would the rubble be?

After the ministry found the site of the attack on the Potters, what did they do with the crime scene? Maybe they relocated the ruins of the entire house to this "Love Room"... so that the DoM workers could study Lily's greatest act of love....

Harry's scar remains

2007-04-06T14:41:00.000-06:00

Looks like even during the final battle with Voldemort, Harry is still sporting the rune-shaped scar. It's depicted quite subtly by Marie GrandPré, but it's there. As Dumbledore said, Harry'll have that scar for the rest of his life.

The covers reveal some clues

2007-04-05T15:52:00.000-06:00

On the US cover, it looks like Harry is wearing the Slytherin locket, and that he's placed a medicine pouch over it to keep it concealed. I have a hunch that Harry will reveal to Voldemort (during the "final battle") that he has destroyed all the horcruxes. Either that, or Voldemort will destroy the locket himself, not realizing what it is because it's covered up.... The locket itself, once "disarmed" of it's "soul bit" might act as a protection amulet...one that actually works. Voldemort seems either repulsed or frightened by what he's watching, and he also looks like he is moving to keep Harry from whatever he's trying to catch. Very reminicent of the first cover showing Harry's pursuit of a golden snitch. Wonder what he's reaching for this time. It would be lovely to think that Fawkes is bringing him something, like in CoS, but not the hat. Maybe the sword is the object we cannot see? Maybe it's a wand he's reaching for?

On the UK children's cover, though Hermione and Ron are worried by whatever they see (whatever is guarding the treasure... dragon, perhaps?) Dobby (or perhaps Kreacher merely following direct orders) is on Harry's back with sword raised... to protect Harry. This is all so Harry can grab something that has caught his eyes. If you follow his stare and see what's reflected in his glasses, it appears to be the gold goblet that is sitting right behind the silver helmet with the dragon motif on it. It looks like he's trying to grab at this goblet. Could it be Hufflepuff's cup? Possibly. We can't see if it has a badger on it, since most of it is hidden from our view. This reminds me very strongly of Harry in the first TWT task, when he's trying to get the golden egg from the dragon's nest. This, and Hagrid's comment about the dragons-guarding-high-secuirty-vaults-at-Gringotts rumor, leads me to think they could be dealing with a dragon here. Which breed, who knows? But a dragon could also explain what look like burn marks on the faces and arms....

On the UK adult cover we have what can only be Slytherin's locket. Since the adult covers are more specific to the book title, I strongly believe the Deathly Hallows are founder heirlooms, even if they are not all horcruxes now. This would include the sword (not horcrux), the cup (apparently a horcrux), the locket (definitely a horcrux), and... maybe the wand that used to sit in Ollivander's shop window. Swords, Cups, Pentacles, Wands.... Sounds right to me. :)

The Hallows of Britain

2007-03-31T12:35:00.000-06:00

The "Four Hallows" might have come from a list of 13 Hallows or Treasures of Britain. How might these items creep into HP?

The following quotes are all from http://www.maryjones.us/ctexts/13.html. My comments are in other text colors.

"Dyrnwyn, gleddyf Rhydderch Hael: White-Hilt, the Sword of Rhydderch the Generous: if a well-born man drew it himself, it burst into flame from its hilt to its tip. And everyone who used to ask for it would receive; but because of this peculiarity everyone used to reject it. And therefore he was called Rhydderch the Generous." Godric Gryffindor's sword doesn't have a white hilt. We don't know just how "well-born" Harry is, but we tend to assume he is well-born anyway. Though it doesn't seem to burst into flames, Fawkes sure does. Harry was hoping desperately for help when he received the sword. The sword is helpful, can be said to be "generous"... at least to the loyal.

"Mwys Gwyddno Garanir: The Hamper of Gwyddno Long-Shank: food for one man would be put in it, and when it was opened, food for a hundred men would be found in it." I'm not sure if this shows up in HP, yet. (It sure would make food prep at Hogwarts easier for the House Elves, not that it's particularly difficult for them.)

"Korn Bran Galed o'r Gogledd : The Horn of Bran the Niggard from the North: whatever drink might be wished for was found in it." The Hufflepuff cup might be an HP version of the horn.

"Kar Morgan Mwynfawr: The Chariot of Morgan the Wealthy: if a man went in it, he might wish to be wherever he would, and he would be there quickly." The HP wizarding world has vanishing cabinets, flying chariots, ships that appear out of whirlpools, thestrals, the Floo Network, portkeys, and apparation, among other quick, magical modes of transport not yet mentioned.

"Kebystr Klydno Eiddin: The Halter of Clydno Eiddyn, which was fixed to a staple at the foot of his bed: whatever horse he might wish for, he would find in the halter." I haven't found any version of this halter in HP, though Harry has little trouble finding horsey things to help him (centaur, thestral, hippogriff, etc.). Cars and motorcycles, flying or otherwise, are discussed in terms of how much horsepower they have in their engines. Even the horse-faced Petunia might help Harry by providing him with more information.

"Kyllell Llawfrodedd Farchog: The Knife of Llawfrodedd the Horseman, which would serve for twenty-four men to eat at table." I bet the Weasley's wish they had such a knife....

"Pair Dyrnwch Gawr: The Cauldron of Dyrnwch the Giant: if meat for a coward were put in it to boil, it would never boil; but if meat for a brave man were put in it, it would boil quickly (and thus the brave could be distinguished from the cowardly)." This would be a cool way for Snape to prove he's no coward! Except I imagine he'd make a potion, not just try to cook some meat....

"Hogalen Tudwal Tutklyd: The Whetstone of Tudwal Tudglyd: if a brave man sharpened his sword on it, if it (then) drew blood from a man he would die. If a cowardly man (sharpened his sword on it), he (his opponent) would be no worse." Another interesting way to separate the brave from the cowardly. However, the only time we see anything close to a whetstone is when Macnair sharpens the ax for beheading Buckbeak. Of course, Buckbeak didn't lose his head, but he was gone, so Macnair never had the chance to try....

"Pais Badarn Beisrydd: The Coat of Padarn Red-Coat: if a well-born man put it on, it would be the right size for him; if a churl, it would not go upon him." Don't know about this item, but I imagine if someone "well-born" had it they'd never need Madam Malkin to make them a coat. This could be related to the Invisibilty Cloak, since Harry is at least somewhat "well-born", but in the Potterverse being well-born might have another meaning....

"Gren a desgyl Rhygenydd Ysgolhaig: The Crock and the Dish of Rhygenydd the Cleric: whatever food might be wished for in them, it would be found." Reminds me of when Hogarts students, staff, and guests choose what they want from a menu... and the chosen food appears on the platters.

"Gwyddbwyll Gwenddoleu ap Ceidio: The Chessboard of Gwenddolau son of Ceidio: if the pieces were set, they would play by themselves. The board was of gold , and the men of silver." Wizard Chess, anyone?

"Llen Arthyr yng Nghernyw: The Mantle of Arthur in Cornwall: whoever was under it could not be seen, and he could see everyone." A perfect precursor of the Invisibilty Cloak.

"These belong to the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries; the earliest manuscript contains only the names of the Treasures without the explanatory comments. The earliest versions refer to the Treasures 'that were in the North' and the majority of names are from Y Cogledd. In a few of the later versions two other Treasures are added (the Mantle of Tegau Eurfon and Eluned's Stone and Ring), dropping one item and counting 'the Crock and the Dish' as one item instead of two." We have no Mantle of Tegau Eurfon (it covers a chaste woman but shows the nakedness of a loose woman) in the HP series, at least not quite. JKR might have decided not to touch this one, since it's a bit risque for a children's novel. Of course, we have a few strange robes and cloaks throughout the series, so its young reader-friendly replacement could be somewhere. Besides, it 's a bit too close to The Coat of Padarn Red-Coat. Eluned's name was changed to Luned and has ties to the moon (la luna). Her ring made the wearer invisible as long as the stone of the ring was turned toward the palm and concealed in a fist. The closest thing we have in HP to this ring with the stone is the Paravelle ring, which we last saw in Dumbledore's office. And where is it now?

2007-03-24T08:22:00.000-06:00

Sorry I've been a bit absent from this blog (and even from my Google Group) lately. Work (both in the lab and in the art studio) has made playtime difficult....

I promise the blog isn't dead, though it might sometimes seem that way.

I've been using as much spare time as possible to re-read the 6 books, preparing to post my "predictions" for Deathly Hallows before it's released. Otherwise, what's the point, right?

So, please bear with me.

Meanwhile, I have several topics up in my Google Group, Serious Harry Potter Discussion. I've made some changes to it recently, so feel free to post to my listed topics. I welcome suggestions if you'd like me to add other topics. I plan to add several soon anyway, since there is still LOTS of ground to cover.

I got Google to remove the age restriction from the group. It was a mistake. There is absolutely NO "adult content" in the forum. I just wish to discourage childish behavior there.

Thanks,
"Aby"

Join My Group :)

2007-02-07T20:37:00.000-06:00

Here is an easy way to join my google group:

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New HP Forum (for serious sleuths)

2007-02-07T20:32:00.000-06:00

I was so sick of HP google groups where people debate politics or come up with HP ideas without really looking at the clues that I came up with my own HP group. So, introducing (duh, duh, duh-duh!):

Serious Harry Potter Discussion Forum

Visit this group

On "Deathly Hallows"

2007-01-20T20:31:00.000-06:00

This could be a reference to the "Four Hallows" of Celtic myth, various items in Arthurian legend, or any other Fisher King-like story.

Quoted from http://www.answers.com/topic/four-treasures :

Four Treasures
"The Tuatha Dé Danann came to Ireland from four cities on four islands in the North; Murias, Falias, Gorias and Findias, bringing with them The Four Treasures, also known as The Hallows of Ireland.
From Falias was brought the Stone of Fal (Lia Fáil), The Stone of Destiny which was supposedly located near the Hill of Tara in County Meath. It used to cry out beneath every king of Ireland. Said to hold Ireland above the waves. The Druid who lived in Falias was named Morfessa. From Gorias was brought the Spear of Destiny (Spear Luin). The Druid who lived in Gorias was named Esras. It was forged by the Smith of Falias for Lugh to use in his fight against Balor. No battle was ever sustained against it, or against the man who held it. From Findias was brought the sword of Nuada (Claíomh Solais). The Druid who lived in Findias was named Uscias. No one ever escaped from it once it was drawn from its deadly sheath, and no one could resist it. A bronze sword in the National Museum in Dublin claims to be this sword. From Murias was brought The Dagda’s Cauldron, the Coire Anseasc ("Undry Cauldron"). Semias was the Druid who lived in Murias. The cauldron was bottomless, capable of feeding an army. No company ever went away from it unsatisfied."

If JKR intends for us to consider the Hallows of Ireland, the Deathly Hallows are probably tied in with the four founders of Hogwarts: Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Salazar Slytherin. Not necesarily from different islands, they are definitely from different parts of the land.

We'll also have to see how this ties in with the horcruxes Harry has to find, as well as various items that could help Harry in his quest to defeat Voldemort.

Gryffindor's sword was not turned into a horcrux, but Voldemort might have been trying to find a Gryffindor item during his interview for the DADA position many years prior. Harry was able to "pull it out of the Sorting Hat" while battling Slytherin's Basilisk back in the Chamber of Secrets. It might come in handy again. Come to think of it, the Chamber of Secrets, or other hidden areas below Hogwarts, might come in handy. It's interesting that Dumbledore has the sword and says Harry would have to be a "true Gryffindor" in order to get it out of the hat. I wonder if 1) Dumbledore used this sword during his fight with Grindlewald, and 2) Dumbledore's odd scar above his left knee was somehow caused during that battle (either by sword or wand). Let's also recall that Vernon drove into the middle of a forest during what I call the "flight of the Muggle" (PS/SS). A forest is where Godric Gryffindor came from.

Hufflepuff's cup (a replacement for the cauldron) was intended for becoming a horcrux, but Harry hasn't found it yet. A few of the places it could be: Potter house ruins in Godric's Hollow, near or in the rubble of Brockdale Bridge (brockdale means "badger valley"), trophy room at Hogwarts, Room of Requirement junk room at Hogwarts. Brockdale Bridge also reminds me of the suspension bridge Vernon gets halfway across before turning around during his "flight of the Muggle". Of course Vernon also drove to the middle of a field... the field being a more direct reference to Hufflepuff from the valley.

Slytherin's locket could be the representation of the stone often appearing in early hallows myths. Sometimes it is a silver dish. Again I'm reminded of the bridge that Vernon drove to, simply because bridges denote water. Of course, Harry and Dumbledore travelled to a cave with an underground lake. The water reference here is unquestionable.

We don't know what Ravenclaw heirloom Voldemort found, if he even found one. The last of the four hallows is generally a spear or a rod. A wand would fit quite well, and we have one that is as of yet unexplained: it was on the purple pillow in Ollivander's wand shop. Where it is now, we don't know, but I should think we'll see it again when Ollivander makes an appearance in DH.... We also have the brother wands owned by Harry and Voldemort. A variation for the spear is Nagini. We might not think of a possessed snake as being a "hallow", but she did bite Arthur Weasley in the side, much like one version of the spear (lance of Longinus) was poked into Jesus's side in stories of the crucifixion. Yet another possible variation of the spear (of destiny) is Harry's scar, a scar of destiny. Harry's scar is shaped like a bolt of lightning, or like a Sowulo rune, so it's a good fit, too, and it tends to make Harry feel like there is a re-opening wound, like it should burst at any moment and bleed. We figure the scar has some other significance than what has been explained so far, since it's the last word of the septology... so far. We should also consider Vernon's drive to the top floor of a multi-level car garage; this can be seen as symbolic of Air, of Ravenclaw, of wands.

If we look at the Thirteen Hallows/Royal Treasures of Britain (http://www.maryjones.us/ctexts/13.html) we should also consider:

cauldrons (leaky or otherwise),
knives (silver),
the Invisibility Cloak,
the Black family silver (particularly the chalices/cups),
a chariot, the vanishing cabinets, or the flying motorcycle,
horse references (centaurs, thestrals, hippogriffs, Abraxan horses, chessboard knights, even the horse-faced Petunia Dursley, if anyone mentions the "horsepower" of the Ford Anglia or the flying motorcycle),
wizard chessboards,
a whetstone (perhaps the Pensieve is an odd variation),
a coat or some robes that shrink or enlarge to fit (what about those robes that attacked Ron?),
as well as a stone and ring (the Perevelle ring's a good fit here). The Philosopher's Stone could also be considered here, even though it has its own rich history.

What else? (updated April 13th, 2007)

the hamper Slughorn receives every year from Honeydukes.
any horns (drinking horns)

The name of Book 7 Revealed!!

2006-12-21T13:06:00.000-06:00

Yeah!!

Of course, the title has been plastered all over the net now, but if you want to play hangman, go to www.jkrowling.com and follow the instructions provided by www.mugglenet.com.

This title is really similar to two titles filed with and later withdrawn from the UK Patent Office. These are "Harry Potter and the Hogharts Hallows" and "Harry Potter and the Hallows of Hogwarts".

Ehwaz

2006-12-20T12:59:00.000-06:00

In her Ancient Runes exam, Hermione gets Eihwaz and Ehwaz mixed up.

Eihwaz (or Yr) means "yew", like the wood used in Voldemort's wand, and it stands for defense and flexibility (like Snape's description of the dark arts). More on Eiwaz another time....

Ehwaz (or Eh) means "horse" and stands for movement, gradual growth, teamwork, and trust.

So, not only do we have horse-like creatures directly helping Harry (the centaur Firenze, the hippogriff Buckbeak/Witherwings, and the thestrals) and horse-like creatures that are generally good or helpful (the Abraxan winged horses from Beaubatons, the unicorns in the Forbidden Forest), but also Ron and Hermione. Wait...I know, they're humans, but Ehwaz is often portrayed as a pair of horses that work well as a team and help you acheive your goals. Ron and Hermione are a pair, and they help Harry. They could be viewed as Harry's Ehwaz. And...on McGonagall's chessboard, Ron was the mounted knight.

Ehwaz looks like an upper-case M. It's the same shape found in the body language of Hermione and Ron holding hands.... Ehwaz's polarity is male and female.

Another interpretation of this rune designates Harry as the Ehwaz, the leader of a team (of horses). This works just as well... maybe even better. Harry is working with a team of Ron and Hermione, two creative and highly individual people.

Ehwaz is the 19th rune in the futhark.

The 19th card of the major arcana of the tarot deck is the Sun... a definitely important symbol for Harry.

Next to mad dictators

2006-12-20T10:37:00.000-06:00

In Jo's most recent diary entry at www.jkrowling.com, she has specifically mentioned Dan Radcliff's changed theory on Severus Snape. Is she trying to clue us in on a truth Dan has discovered about my favorite character?

I feel the same way about Snape, and I've felt this way for quite some time, but I'd never thought to put it in these (Dan's) words.

I see Snape as someone who doesn't mind being a follower, as long as the leader is reasonable and kind. Between Dumbledore and Voldemort, Snape chooses Dumbledore. Perhaps Snape starts to doubt Dumbledore's sanity, too. Did Dumbledore fear outliving his usefullness?

I also see Snape as someone, like Harry, looking for a father figure. Snape's reasons are a bit different, though, since he had a father growing up. Tobias comes across as the authoritarian, the father who rules with an iron fist. Voldemort is merciless and insane. Dumbledore might have been losing his marbles, too, but he was a softy... maybe too soft.

Interestingly, Snape (in PoA) seems happy beyond reason with the prospect of standing, beaming (well, smirking, probably), next to Fudge. He wants that Order of Merlin so bad. Of course, Fudge isn't mad or a dictator... he's incompetent.

Actually, I'd like Snape to one day receive the coveted Order of Merlin. I just hope that it isn't awarded posthumously.

Boggarts: Who's Affraid of What?

2006-12-18T10:57:00.000-06:00

This is mostly for major characters. Some of the fringe characters might become important in Book 7, and even if they don't I find them very interesting.

I've color-coded the names by school house. Cyan is for those I don't know the house of, but I'm assuming that Mr. and Mrs. Weasley are both Gryffindor. I'm also assuming that Narcissa Malfoy was in Slytherin.

Sadly, we don't know the boggarts for most characters....

Harry Potter - dementors (fear itself, according to Lupin), but this could change
Neville Longbottom - Severus Snape, but I hope this changes
Ron Weasley - spiders
Hermione Granger - (academic) failure
Ginny Weasley - ?
Luna Lovegood - ?

Parvati Patil - mummies
Draco Malfoy - ? (perhaps Fenrir Greyback)
Vincent Crabbe - ?
Gregory Goyle - ?
Pansy Parkinson - ?
Blaize Zabini - ?
Theodore Nott - ? (a fringe character, but he interests me....)
Remus Lupin - the full moon
Albus Dumbledore - ? (and he's dead now)
Minerva McGonagall - ?
Molly Weasley - the death of family members and Harry
Arthur Weasley - ?
Alastor Moody - ? (However, he can see boggarts inside desks, etc., and since Lupin says boggarts don't know what form to take until they come out of hiding, can Moody see them in their natural form?)
Sirius Black - ? (and he's dead now)
Nymphadora Tonks - ?
Horace Slughorn - ?
Severus Snape - ? (A really big question right now)
Voldemort/Tom Riddle - (his own) death
Peter Pettigrew - ?
Lucius Malfoy - ?
Bellatrix Lestrange - ?
Narcissa Malfoy - ? (perhaps seeing Draco dead....)
Regulus Black - ? (dead, but I think he'll be important in Book 7....)

Possible Parallels between PoA and Book 7

2006-12-14T12:41:00.000-06:00

The parallels between books 2 and 6 are a bit staggering.

CoS: Dumbledore keeps telling Fawkes to die (to be reborn)... to get "it" over with, since he looks so old, tired, and worn out. Fawkes bursts into flames and is reborn.

HBP: Harry starts to see Dumbledore as old, tired, and worn out. Dumbledore sustains an injury, and later he does die...you could say he "gets it over with", too. We see Dumbledore's body engulfed in white flames, and then there is the fleeting image of a phoenix rising from the flames/tomb.

CoS: We have a book (the diary) of unknown origin, belonging to Tom Riddle (someone Harry knows of, but not by that name), passing into the hands of Ginny and Harry. Ginny is possessed and does various horrible things, not knowing what she's doing, etc.
HBP: We have a book (the potions book) of unknown origin, belonging to the HBP (someone Harry knows of, but not by that nickname), passing into the hands of Harry. He's not possessed, but he's accused of obsession, and he does things without understanding them (levicorpus, sectumsempra, etc.).

CoS: Harry finds out he's a Parselmouth and people think he might be the heir of Slytherin. Snape looks at him rather calculating after the incident with talking to the snake, like he had underestimated Harry.

HBP: Harry finds out he can make potions afterall (to Snape's surprise) and Slughorn claims he's as good at potions as Lily was... even supposedly better than Snape. Snape says he has underestimated Harry after the Sectumsempra incident.

CoS: Harry's tailing/spying on Draco because he thinks Draco has something to do with the opening of the CoS. Later finds out Lucius was behind planting the book.

HBP: Harry's tailing Draco because he's sure Draco is up to something, finds out Draco was behind the opal necklace, the poisoned sherry (or was it mead?), and behind letting DE's into the castle. This is Draco's punishment for Lucius's screwups....

CoS: Harry destroys the diary horcrux, not knowing that's what it was.

HBP: Harry finds a fake horcrux. Is the real one (the locket horcrux) still intact or has it already been destroyed?

The Parallels between books 3 and 7 could also be quite strong....

PoA: Harry (and Hermione) travels back in time trying to save at least one life...saves Sirius, Buckbeak, and himself.

Book 7: Harry (possibly with Ron and Hermione, but he'll probably go into the house by himself) travels back in time, trying to save his parents? He saves neither parent, but the baby Harry, of course, survives and gets that scar.

PoA: Harry thinks he sees his father conjuring a Patronus but later realizes it's a future Harry he's seeing. That allows him to conjur the Patronus when he needs to, since he's seen himself doing it.

Book 7: Baby Harry hears a noise but can't determine who's making it. Pensieve Harry thinks he's seeing his father under the Invisibility cloak, but then realizes it's a future Harry? This prompts Harry to do exactly what he saw himself do in the memory?

PoA: Harry leaves the cloak where Snape finds and uses it in order to sneak into the Shrieking shack.

Book 7: James happens to leave the cloak out (lying around the house somewhere) where Harry finds it in order to hide and watch the attack in the Potter house?

PoA: Everyone thinks Sirius Black was the spy and is in league with Voldemort, but he's innocent. Sirius, however, feels partially to blame for their deaths (James and Lily). Wormtail turns out to be the traitor but now owes a Life Debt to Harry.

Book 7: Everyone knows Snape is a spy and thinks he's in league with Voldemort, but/and ____? Is there another traitor? Will Snape prove to be a traitor afterall, or are we to see him redeem himself at the last moment? Snape feels partially to blame for their deaths (James and Lily). Wormtail repays his Life Debt to Harry.

PoA: When Harry confronts Sirius in the Shrieking Shack he temporarily forgets that he's wandless and he's underage. In his anger (based on his love for friends and family) He rushes toward Sirius and attacks him bare-handed.

In OotP we finally get to read the prophesy and the wording says "hand", not wand.

Book 7: What if, during the final confrontation with Voldemort, Harry ends up wandless (or he decides not to use it, since they have brother wands) and then...he forgets he's "weaker", forgets that it would be stupid to physically attack Voldemort...and he attacks Voldemort with his bare hands. Harry actually kills Voldemort without a wand...?

And of course:

PoA: Wormtail fulfills Trelawney's prophesy about the servant returning to his master.

Book 7: Harry and Voldemort fulfill Trelawney's prophesy about them.

The Missing 24hrs!! Maybe....

2006-11-30T10:51:00.000-06:00

Dumbledore tells Harry that Snape is the one to go to when you need help regarding the Dark Arts, like if you have been injured by a curse....

Dumbledore goes to Snape sometime during the summer between Harry's 5th and 6th years. He's injured while destroying the ring horcrux, and he goes to Snape (still at Hogwarts, possibly about to leave for Spinner's End) for help.

When Katie Bell is injured by the opal necklace, a cursed object, McGonagall has Filch take the necklace to Snape for inspection.

What if this is a clue about the missing 24hrs after the attack on the Potters?

Imagine this senario:

Voldemort attacks the Potters. James dies from an AK, Lily makes her choice and dies by AK, and the AK cast at Harry backfires. Other things happen, too, like the house falling to ruins.
Someone is there to witness the attack and quickly informs Dumbledore.

Dumbledore sends Hagrid to get Harry out of the house and tells him to take Harry to Snape for inspection. (We're definitely dealing with a dark curse here.)

Hagrid shows up at Godric's Hollow, meets up with Sirius and borrows the bike, then takes Harry away from the crime scene before the Muggles show up .

This brings Harry out of Godric's Hollow (wherever it is) and takes him to...well, Spinner's End, perhaps? The clues about Spinner's End suggest either Wales or the environs around Manchester... However, Snape tells Bellatrix he was at Hogwarts, and since it was the middle of term at school, it makes sense for Snape to be at Hogwarts, not Spinner's End...unless Dumbledore asked Snape to leave the castle and go to Spinner's End (or elsewhere) to help him....

Snape observes Harry for several hours and possibly performs some tests (like a healer or doctor would), then he contacts Dumbledore to say that, except for a nasty cut on his forehead, Harry seems healthy and can be placed with his relatives. (I'm assuming here that Snape has at least some idea of Dumbledore's plans to place Harry with his aunt... and might know about the blood magic Dumbledore uses to seal Harry's protection at #4 Privet Drive.) Alternate senario: Harry's injuries are more severe than a cut on the forehead, and Snape stops the spread of something, much like he later does for Dumbledore and Katie Bell....

Hagrid then takes Harry from wherever Snape was to Surrey. Like Moody in OotP, Hagrid might take a winding route, trying to throw off the enemy....

Freaky idea, but plausible. Nowhere in canon does it say Hagrid went directly from Godric's Hollow to Privet Drive in Surrey.

Life Debts and how to contract them

2006-11-21T15:53:00.000-06:00

I love the editorials and the discussion threads for Life Debts. I don't agree with everything, but it has made me rethink how Life Debts are made.

I've heard too many people claim everyone owes a life debt to Harry because he's inadvertently saved so many lives. Thank goodness Jo stated that not all instances of saving a life qualify for creating life debts.

There are two major camps on the Life Debt issue. (The people who think Life Debts are being contracted left and right don't count.)

One camp argues that a Life Debt is contracted when the saved person feels obligated. This would place Snape in the category of owing James a Life Debt, regardless of James's motives. It explains why Crouch Jr., having fallen ill at Azkaban and removed by Crouch Sr., could later kill his own father: he felt no sense of obligation in his demented mind. It doesn't quite explain why Wormtail owes Harry, though, since Wormtail keeps saying "thank you", but he might not mean it - he seems to mean it at the time, but he's being desperate - Wormatil might not be truly grateful or feel indebted, but he owes a Life Debt anyway. True, Wormtail avoided eye contact with Harry in the graveyard, but he avoids eye contact with others, too. People who avoid eye contact cannot be trusted. Wormtail will probably fulfill his Life Debt, but not because he wants to.

The other camp claims a Life Debt is contracted when the threat is immediate, the savior is presented with a clear choice, and the savior chooses to save the other person, regardless of motives, and the person wants saving. This lumps Snape in the "doesn't owe James" category, since James wasn't explicitly asked to choose, and Snape didn't ask James to save him. It clouds the issue for Crouch Jr., since the choice seems to have been his mother's, who died shortly after the switch, not Crouch Sr.'s - this makes the Crouch issue moot, and Crouch Jr. was "free" to kill his own dad. However, it reaffirms that Wormtail owes Harry, since Remus and Sirius left the choice up to Harry whether Wormtail got to live, and Wormtail was pleading for his life, even begging Ron to save him.

I want to emphasize that Dumbledore places so much emphasis on choice. It's how Lily protected Harry (though her self-sacrifice created something quite different from a Life Debt); it's how Harry saved Wormtail. Sure James made a decision to stop Snape from going any further toward the shack, but no one presented James with a clear choice to make. Also, Snape thinks he would have died, but was he really in immediate peril? Could he not have backed out of the tunnel in time and escaped possible death himself? There were four possibilities: get killed, get injured/maimed, get bitten and become a werewolf, escape unscathed.

The more I think about it, the more I think Snape didn't really owe James a Life Debt, he simply felt indebted anyway. This makes me ponder Dumbledore's trust in Snape. Snape thinks people who wear their hearts on their sleeves are weak, but he makes no comment about having feelings. (Snape doesn't say feelings=weakness, he says brooding=weakness.) If Snape never owed James a Life Debt yet feels so indebted that he will protect and save Harry, then I should think all of Snape's feelings run deep. He sure carries a grudge and can feel deep hatred, but then again he can also feel deep pain, perhaps deep regret/remorse, perhaps even deep love....

When asked whether Snape had ever been loved, Jo said "yes" and that it makes him more culpable than Voldemort, in some ways. Voldemort doesn't feel guilty/culpable for his actions, the only things he seems to regret are the opportunities he didn't take full advantage of. Snape is very different - he feels guilt. Someone loves/loved Snape. Snape knows love. Snape is more culpable only because he can feel guilty.

By Dumbledore giving us these very different explainations for Snape's "getting even" and Wormtail's Life Debt, he's not only making a differentiation between debt and no debt, he's giving Harry a clue about a hidden facet of Snape's true personality.

But I'm supposed to be talking about Life Debts, right? Yeah. So, I think this is the run-down:

Snape never owed James a binding Life Debt, yet he feels indebted anyway. He is compelled, not by a magical contract but by the pursuit of "piece of mind", to step in whenever possible to save and protect Harry.

Crouch Jr. probably didn't really owe his father a Life Debt. He might have owed one to his mother (it was ultimately her choice to switch places), but his mother died at Azkaban - she didn't really give her life to save his, she was dying anyway - and Crouch Jr. probably wouldn't have been able to save her life, even if he had tried...or cared.

Wormtail clearly owes Harry a Life Debt. I doubt he will pay it willingly, but pay he shall.

Harry does not owe Snape any Life Debt...yet. However, Dumbledore suggests going to Snape if Harry needs healing from dark magic. This is a perfect set-up to have Snape help Harry in Book 7.

Dumbledore might owe Snape a Life Debt, but we will need to see what happened when Dumbledore came to Snape for help after the ring incident. I think, since Dumbledore is so polite, that Dumbledore would have asked Snape for help. This would give Snape clear options, and we know Snape did help. There might be a real Life Debt here.

I'm not aware of any other situations where there might be a Life Debt, but I'll keep looking.

Hufflepuff's Cup

2006-11-20T10:32:00.000-06:00

I was reading some google group posts about HP issues, and I saw a list of questions. One of them in particular caught my attention: Where is Hufflepuff's cup if we should be able to figure out the horcruxes by reading books 1 through 6?

I have an idea! Couldn't it be placed among all the plaques and trophy cups in the trophy room at Hogwarts? Would anyone pay particular attention to this cup if it was placed there? Could a horcrux be "stored" at Hogwarts without Dumbledore quickly detecting it?

When would Tom/Voldemort have placed the cup there if that's where it is? When he went to Hogwarts for his job interview?

Could someone else have later placed the cup there on Voldemort's behalf? Snape? We know that Lucius had Voldemort's diary. We think Voldemort hid the locket himself (Dumbledore detected Voldemort's magic signatures). Who planted the ring at the Gaunt house...probably Voldemort, but maybe not. Might Voldemort entrust Snape with protecting the cup without explaining why it was so valuable to him? All Voldemort would have to say is that it once belonged to a founder, and that it should be protected as an historical artifact. Snape might have thought the best place for it was the trophy case....

And if I'm totally wrong, where else could it be?

What about the horcrux Voldemort had planned to make with Harry's death back in 1981? Which artifact was Voldemort going to use? Who found it at Godric's Hollow after the attack, or was it even found?

There are two major possibilities here: either the item is still in the ruins of the Potter house or someone found it and took it away. We know Sirius went there and we know Hagrid went there. We also know that Fudge and some other ministry folk showed up. There's also the mysterious person who must have been at the Potter house the night of the attack...Harry? Snape? Wormtail? So many possibilities. We know it wasn't handed over to Dumbledore, otherwise Dumbledore would have mentioned this to Harry after showing him the memory about the cup and locket. However, it doesn't rule out the possibility that it somehow ended up in the Hogwarts trophy case.

Hagrid doesn't mention anything about Sirius taking items from the crime scene, so that pretty much (but not quite) rules out Sirius. What about #12 Grimmauld...or the place Sirius bought with inherittance...or the Black family vault?

Hagrid probably would have either overlooked it or would have taken it to Dumbledore.

Fudge and his employees would have taken it back to the MoM if they thought it was of any significance...or might have kept it for personal, greedy reasons.

Wormtail doesn't seem to know about the horcruxes (though you think he'd know by now) so he could have left it in the ruins or placed it just about anywhere...at Hogwarts...even at The Burrow.

If Snape found it he'd probably figure out it's somehow important and connected to Voldemort in some way. He could have taken it to Hogwarts or even to Spinner's End. I'd like to think he'd take it to Dumbledore, but I'm a bit on the fence about Snape's loyalty. He might ultimately be loyal only to himself.... If he found it, he obviously didn't take it to Dumbledore.

And then there is the whole idea of Harry not just viewing a memory but actually travelling back in time to witness the attack first-hand. If this is the case, then he will have found one of the objects originally intended to be a horcrux -- an object that is not a horcrux.

Best case senario: Snape or Timetravel!Harry finds the Hufflepuff cup at Godric's Hollow. It's not a horcrux because Voldemort didn't get to use it. Either man sneaks the cup into Hogwarts and places it in the trophy case.

Worst case senario: Harry witnesses the attack (either through time travel or pensieve), sees the item (might be something other than the cup), sees someone take it, and now wants to track down the item. I say "wants" only because he doesn't need to track down an artifact that isn't a horcrux.

Harry doesn't realize it yet, but his trip to Godric's Hollow, either in the present or in the past, will either gain him one item or give him major clues as to where it is. Horcrux or no horcrux, it's one item Harry will be able to cross off his list....

A Theory to Destroy... and Rebuild...and Destroy again

2006-11-06T11:04:00.000-06:00

From time to time I still find people who think (and pull various bits of canon to support the idea) that Snape is a vampire.

Here's what JKR had to say about it in her Mugglenet/TLC interview:
JKR: (cut) It's when people get really off the wall - it's when people devote hours of their time to proving that Snape is a vampire that I feel it's time to step in, because there's really nothing in the canon that supports that.

ES: It's when you look for those things -

JKR: Yeah, it's after the 15th rereading when you have spots in front of your eyes that you start seeing clues about Snape being the Lord of Darkness. So, there are things I shut down just because I think, well, don't waste your time, there's better stuff to be debating, and even if it's wrong, it will probably lead you somewhere interesting. That's my rough theory anyway.

I also thought those Snape-as-vampire supporters were as ridiculous as the Harry/Hermione shippers.

Now, I'm not changing my overall views on the vampire issue. This would be pointless, considering the citation above. However, there's an added complexity to the issue of vampires in the Potterverse now -- JKR's latest Wizard of the Month.

Lorcan d'Eath is part vampire?

We previously learned in the series that vampires are Muggles... at least that's what Hogwarts students are taught. In GoF they are classified as "non-wizard part-humans". In HPB we meet Sanguini, an apparently Italian vampire that provides some comic relief. Perhaps Jo wanted to show us what a Potterverse vampire looks like and how it behaves. Sanguini seems almost mindless, definitely a bit one-track-minded. It's interesting that Sanguini is particularly focused on females. His behavior, though subtle, suggests that he might lust after more than just blood....

So this brings up an interesting question. How do you end up with a wizarding person who is part vampire? Well, if vampires are all Muggle, then the wizarding part-vampire must not be a "pure-blood". This means vampires in the Potterverse mate and the progeny can retain some vestige of vampirism, like pale skin... or a neck fetish.

We also have other Potterverse vampires, like (from HP-Lexicon):

Bludd, Blodwyn Vampire from the "Valleys" (1923 - ?) Known as the "Vampire from the Valleys." Famous for singing to his victims in a sonorous bass baritone, before biting their necks.

Now back to Snape. He's half-blood. He's often described as bat-like. He's pale and has greasy black hair. His eyes are like dark tunnels. He has a commanding voice, even when he speaks just above a whisper. We also have him (in HBP) using a countercurse that sounds like singing. Oddly enough it's used to stop bleeding, but still.... Any chance he's part vampire?

We know little about Tobias Snape. Hermione's interpretation of an old article in the Daily Prophet leads her to think Tobias is/was a Muggle. Since we know Eileen Prince is/was a witch and that Severus is the "Half-Blood Prince", we can assume Tobias is/was Muggle.

Here's the catch. Despite being Muggle, Tobias holds/held some sway over Eileen... enough so that she would cower before him. She seems powerless against him. Where is her magic? Had she become like Merope and lost access to her magical powers due to depression or repression? Had she sworn never to use magic against a Muggle, especially her husband?

Was Tobias not simply a Muggle but also a vampire? If so, this would add to the duplicitous wording of "Half-Blood Prince", making Severus not only of half-wizarding heritage but also half-vampire.

Dumbledore has this tendency to hire and/or surround himself with people who are at some social disadvantage. Several examples:

Sibyll Trelawney his regarded as a fraud, even though Dumbledore knows she isn't. She's also in danger because she made the prophesy regarding Voldemort and Harry.
Hagrid is a half-giant who was framed for the murder of (Moaning) Myrtle.
Mrs. Figg is a Squib, caught between wizarding and Muggle worlds.
Mr. Filch is a Squib, too, and also a generally un-likeable person.
Firenze is a Centaur that has abandoned (or been kicked out of) Centaur society.
Remus Lupin is a werewolf, and werewolves have trouble finding employment because of ministry-enforced restrictions and general wariness throughout wizarding society.
Aberforth Dumbledore is of questionable magical status and might be illiterate. His lack of housekeeping and personal hygiene, as well as a possible goat fetish, keep him on the outskirts of society, in general.

There are probably more examples, but I think I've made my point.

What if one of the reasons Severus has worked at Hogwarts all these years has to do with his heritage? Was Dumbledore also protecting him from society, in case someone figured out his father was a Vampire? Seems vampires are viewed almost as negatively as werewolves.... This would at least help explain the oft-mentioned fact that Lupin's first assignment after Snape's werewolf essay was an essay on vampires when Lupin's lesson plan wouldn't have called for a lesson on vampires so soon....

So, how about "Half-Prince of Darkness"? What do you think about this idea?

NO! Here's why:

If Snape were half vampire:

Snape would look more vampiric. If Lorcan d'Eath's pic in the Wizard of the Month section is at all true to his actual appearance (and he's just described as "part" vampire, not "half"), then Snape should have stronger vampiric features.
Snape would act more vampiric; we'd get little clues that Snape is attracted to blood, or that he seems to focus on people's necks...or that he's easily distracted by the sight of blood. Instead, we see him have no apparent attraction to blood. When Draco is gushing the stuff Snape goes right into healer mode. Sure, he's under an Unbreakable Vow, but I should think that even in such a case JKR would drop hints when there is so much blood around.
Snape would probably have some sex appeal. No, I'm not talking about fanon Snape here. Loads of people like to romanticize Snape, make him look somewhat attractive, mysteriously alluring. Even I'm guilty of that at times, but canon Snape is "an ugly git." Meanwhile, Sanguini (full-vampire) is preoccupied with the schoolgirls, and Lorcan is considered a "heartthrob singer"; Lorcan seems quite popular with the witches....
Even the inept Daily Prophet would have mentioned Tobias as a vampire, since the actions and appearance of Sanguini suggest it's pretty easy to spot a vampire.... Besides, they'd love to expose someone as a half-breed or a monster, even if it weren't true.

JKR is quite right to completely squash the idea. Contemplating it any further is a waste of time.

Change to Blog Scope

2006-11-03T17:11:00.000-06:00

I realize that making several entries per chapter for 6 books is no longer a realistic endeavor...at least not before Book 7 is released.

That said, I will continue to post some chapter-specific entries.

Instead of trying to define everything (and largely rehash info found on popular HP fan sites) I will focus on the info I find that differs from or adds to the common definitions.

I will probably also continue to spend lots of blog space on various theories, including time travel and Severus Snape's positive role.

The Mystery of the Invisibility Cloak

2006-11-01T11:46:00.000-06:00

While looking for Halloween updates to www.jkrowling.com and comparing what I found to what www.Mugglenet.com found, I saw that I had missed the Miscellaneous entry about Spell Definitions, so I went back to the JKR site to view the missed info...then I found something I think Mugglenet might have missed: NAQ

This is something many readers have pondered, including myself. Apparently no one has ever asked Jo about James's Invisibility Cloak, specifically why Dumbledore has it....

I have a theory. Actually, it's part of my "Harry will time-travel back to the night the Potters were attacked (or ever farther back in time than that)" theory. I think it's possible that Harry goes to the Potters' house in Godric's Hollow some time before the attack, takes the cloak, and sends it to Dumbledore. Given the circumstances, Dumbledore might mistake Harry (whom he so far had only seen as a baby) for James. I feel that if this is the case, Harry would have sent the cloak by Owl and simply signed the note as "James Potter". Harry's handwriting might also just happen to look similar to his father's.... What else the note might have said is beyond me...perhaps instructions to give the cloak to Harry once he enters Hogwarts.
This would suggest (to Dumbledore) that James expected an attack (despite the Fidelius Charm) and also that James thought Harry would survive to later receive the cloak.
Though James could have Seer abilities, it's a bit unlikely. Therefore, I think it will be Harry impersonating his own father - either by speaking with Dumbledore but not letting him see Harry clearly or by forging a note.
Another possibility: Dumbledore knows it's actually Harry who gives him the cloak, and he just lies about it. We like to think that Dumbledore is truthful, but when Harry and Hermione return from saving Buckbeak and Sirius, Dumbledore plays innocent, like he had nothing to do with it.

Draco and Dudley

2006-10-27T17:11:00.000-06:00

I try not to focus too much on theories with which I disagree, but I must say I'm getting tired of seeing posts about the possibility of Draco and Dudley being switched at or soon after birth. Here's why: I don't think it matters at this point in the plot.

JKR says that there is nothing special about Dudley...what you see is what you get.

I understand that some readers want there to be something about Draco and Dudley, so when the truth comes out the Dursleys and Malfoys will be scandalized - the concept that the Dursleys had a wizarding son and the Malfoys produced a Squib... and that someone switched the babies in order to save face and protect those boys. McGonagall?

Why the obsession with this theory?

True, JKR has some tricks up her sleeves and Book 7 will include some "revelations", but it seems a bit late in the game to use such a plot twist... at least when the evidence cited by readers is so cryptic that one has to doubt the reality of them. JKR does like subtle clues, but somehow I doubt she intended "knickerbockers" and Dobby's mismatched socks to point to some deeply hidden secret about Dudley and Draco.... The search for clues about this theory has become too convoluted.

IMHO, these are much more important questions:
1] What really happened at Godric's Hollow the night the Potters were attacked...who else was there that night?
2] What happened when RAB (Regulus Black) took the locket out of the cave...is the horcrux already destroyed?
3] What caused the rift between the Mauraders/Lily and Snape?
4] What are Snape's real feelings towards Lily...what were Lily's true feelings towards Snape?
5] Why did Dumbledore trust Snape...can Harry trust Snape now?
6] How is Harry going to find and destroy the remaining horcruxes?
7] What role do the founders have left to play in this saga?
8] What role will Albus's past play in this...what about Aberforth?
9] Will Wormtail repay his life debt to Harry, and if so, how?

There are more questions worth pondering... I just think baby-switching is not a particularly fruitful path to follow.

I wash my hands of the A-D-O-P-T-E-E threads. Dudley is Dudley. Draco is Draco. A member of the Weasley family being adopted would be a more interesting topic.

Ok, I'm done ranting about this...hopefully....

Attempt at Numerology Reading for Severus Snape, part 6

2006-09-07T12:28:00.000-06:00

At last! The final installment in my numerology reading for Severus Snape. It's about time....

There are also four major phases in each life. These are the peaks in one's life, or the Pinnacle Phases. Using the calculation rules provided by http://www.astrology-numerology.com/num-pinnacles.html, Severus's phases are as follows:

Pinnacle Peaks (if born in 1959) =

phase 1 from ages 0 to 29, number 1

phase 2 from ages 30 to 38, number 6

phase 3 from ages 39 to 47, number 7

phase 4 from ages 48 to death, number 7

Pinnacle Peaks (if born in 1960) =

phase 1 from ages 0 to 28, number 1

phase 2 from ages 29 to 37, number 7

phase 3 from ages 38 to 46, number 8

phase 4 from ages 47 to death, number 8

Here are the meanings for the above pinnacle types:

first period 1 -- "With a number 1 first pinnacle, most of your youth was probably spent learning how to use original ideas, how to lead, how to rely on yourself without being egotistical, stubborn, self-centered or dominating. This is a period to learn leadership and it may not product the opportunities you would like. It is primarily a learning time." This is the reading regardless of which birth year is correct.

second or third 6 -- "In this period of your life you can progress and achieve through the acceptance of increasing responsibility and through diplomatic acts. Home and family with generally take precedence over business, however. It is a period for you to attend to the demands made on you for family and close friends rather than self. Often, the six pinnacle suggests a person who is under the close dictates of some authority figure." Though I don't think he was born in 1959, Severus might have been under the close dictates of Dumbledore and might yet be under the close dictates of Voldemort....

second or third 7 -- "Unless you are involved in some sort of research or possibly religious or philosophical endeavors, your progress during this pinnacle will be painfully slow. Your accomplishments are simply not the type that bring financial benefits as desired or expected. The benefits of this pinnacle are much deeper and internal." Here I think this reading makes more sense for the second pinnacle in the "1960" reading than for both 3rd and 4th for the "1959" reading. It can be said he is involved in a religious or philosophical endeavor.... He doesn't seem to make much money, and though we don't see him making much spiritual improvement, we must accept that we don't see much of anything from his point of view...yet.

fourth 7 -- "With a number 7 fourth pinnacle, your later years will be a quiet time when you will be chiefly involved with the development and refinement of your inner being. This is a time for study, development, and thinking about life in philosophical ways. During this period it may not be easy for you to find individuals with whom you truly feel comfortable unless your spouse has similar attitudes. Be patient for people will come to you for what you know." This sounds more like Dumbledore.... Severus does seem similar to Dumbledore in some ways, but we don't know if he will ever follow in Dumbledore's steps when it comes to "refinement of the inner being". Would Severus be appoachable enough for someone to ask for his advice?

second or third 8 -- "During this period of your life you are apt to become very deeply involved with being a executive (or perhaps being married to one). You will begin to rely more on rational feelings and less on emotional impulses. You are more ambitious and success oriented." Despite Severus's complaint to Harry (and Narcissa...and everyone else, it seems) about weak people wearing their hearts on their sleeves, when Severus gets worked up his emotions also show, even though the deeper reasons might be hard to determine. Perhaps he will let his old grudges go? As the true Slytherin he is, Severus does have some form of ambition...we're just not sure of his ultimate goals...are they "good" or "evil"? We can take a page from Sirius's book (those little pearls of wisdom Sirius himself doesn't really use) and consider that Severus's goals are of a purely neutral nature.

fourth 8 -- "With the number 8 fourth pinnacle, business and position will make retirement at the normal age unlikely. Circumstances in the later years may be an atmosphere of status and power." This makes me worry if his rival is really Voldemort.... Does he hope to be the next Dark Lord, or will he ultimately follow a similar path to Dumbledore's, following the process of spiritual alchemy?

The last portion of this reading looks at Planes of Expression. This is about temperment and personality, so what can we find out here about the most-hated professor at Hogwarts (besides Delores Umbridge)? Again, I'm assuming his full name is Severus Tobias Snape.

Following the directions found at http://www.astrology-numerology.com/num-planes.html, we get these results:

Planes of Expression =

4 Mental

3 Physical

9 Emotional

2 Intuitive

8 Creative/Inspired

9 Dual/Adaptive

1 Grounded/Balanced

He's a combination of Creative and Adaptable, so my source site says, "The combination of most of the letters in the creative and Adaptable mode suggests that you are a person who is inclined toward constant activity, but this activity must provide variety and change. Your efforts are directed at the here and now, but decision-making can sometimes be a problem. You are likely to act immediately on issues that come to your attention, but not without paying attention to the lessons from the past. Sometimes, you may dwell on the past a little too long. Positively expressed, creative letters produce constructive initiative, while the Adaptable tone allows you to always be flexible. You are able to fit easily into most situations, and you produce results wherever you fit in. You are devoted rather than ambitious."

He also has a general absence of Grounded expression, and my source site says, "Because your chart is void or nearly void in Grounded letters, you may be better at starting things than finishing them. Either you become bored with something soon after beginning it, or you take on so much that you don't have the energy or focus to accomplish anything. You may have difficulty in various aspects of your life, frequently changing jobs, lovers, residences, and even your beliefs and ideas on many of life's weightier issues."

Mental = 22%, weak. "Your name suggests that mental assertiveness is not paramount in your makeup. No matter how strong your intellect may be, you have trouble giving way to cold logic, facts and pure reasoning arguments. It may be hard for you to stay interested and motivated in mental disciplines. With limitations here, you may shun the idea of taking charge and calling all of the shots. You act on feel and experience, rarely stopping long enough to think things through carefully. Your hunches may take you further than others relying on proof."

Physical = 17%, weak. "Your name suggests that physical or material interests are not paramount in your makeup. You would never pride yourself as being a very practical person. Indeed, your behavior may be anything but realistic and you really don't care. You may actually lack a solid sense of physical discipline and tend to avoid tedious and repetitive work when you can. It's hard for you to turn your many ideas into hard reality. Playing the game and competing at any significant level may be foreign to your nature."

Emotional = 50%, strong. "The emotional plane is very strong in your makeup. Indeed, your point of view usually contains significant portions of emotion and imagination without much concern for the facts of the matter. It's easy for you to get carried away sometimes. You are very original and creative and you care deeply for causes you embrace. You are extremely sentimental, sympathetic and caring. Your direct expression of friendship, affections and love make it clear where you stand." But when does he show any direct expression of friendship, affections and love? First we have to decipher his true feelings when he shows them...and Jo's made that near impossible...so far.

Intuitive = 11%, weak. "Your name suggests that intuitional or spiritual interests are not paramount in your makeup. So called intuitive awareness, psychic or otherwise spiritual matters aren't of much interest to you as you go about your daily tasks. The idea of developing inwardly pretty much leaves you cold. If there is an inner voice, you don't have much trust in it." This doesn't bode well for Severus to follow in Dumbledore's footsteps. I do hope he isn't trying to follow or surpass Voldemort....

Well, that's the end of it! Feel free to comment about my numerology reading. I accept praise, questions, and even the old insult "you're nuts!" Actually, I don't take much offense at this observation :)

Attempt at Numerology Reading for Severus Snape, part 5

2006-08-16T11:17:00.000-06:00

This will cover the next 20+ years of Severus's life. Warning: this is another very long post!

Again, for the sake of getting a complete reading, I choose to subscribe to the following assumtions:
1] His full name is Severus Tobias Snape (JKR has not confirmed his middle name) and
2] He was born January 9, 1960 (not 1959).

The previous post left off when Severus was 19-20 years old, he overheard the first part of Trelawney's prophesy, and then he relayed the incomplete info to Voldemort. The quoted number meanings come from http://www.astrology-numerology.com/num-essences.html.

1980/81:PY1:AGE20-21:R-S-N:9-1-5:15->6: "The 6 Essence focuses circumstances and opportunities on the home, the family, and largely on domestic matters. This time is associated with responsibility, but usually the job is close to home or involving those nearest to you, including your close friends. If you are single, this Essence is a very good time for marriage; if married, this is a good time for your marriage. It is a good time to surface any problems that may exist in the marriage and deal with them before they become more serious. This is also a time for children, and it may be a time to have a child. The 6 essence also may and often does involve you in service to your community in some way; assuming responsibility for those outside your immediate family. This is more common if you are older and the need for your services in the immediate family is not apparent." (bolds always added by me) This a personal year 1, and so it should be a new begining. Severus seems to assume responsibility for Voldemort's choice to target the Potters, even though Wormtail was the one to inform Voldemort about the Potter's son and Voldemort made the decision to target them. Severus knows he is partially to blame for the pending attack. However, there is a possible flipside -- what if Severus's "family" is the Death Eaters?
1981/82:PY2:AGE21-22:R-T-N:9-2-5:16->7: Again "During the essence of the number 7, many of the events in your life now will often involve study, a sense of isolation, and an inwardly focused attitude toward yourself. A time of looking for an understanding of fundamentals and pursuing new interests has arrived. You are likely to find yourself withdrawing for a time of reflection and perhaps even meditation, hopefully comfortable with a chance for repose." This is the year the Potters are attacked (October 31st, 1981), and this is also the year Severus is hired at Hogwarts, but as Potions Master, not DADA professor (sometime during the summer of 1981).
1982/83:PY3:AGE22-23:R-T-N:9-2-5:16->7: continued study, isolation, self-focus, withdrawl for reflection...hopefully comfortable? Is Severus reflecting on his actions and feeling guilty, or is he reflecting on his actions and feeling secure in his position? Is he actively a spy for Dumbledore at this time? Is he secretly still working for Voldemort? Is he the coward he claims not to be...just happy to have someone (Dumbledore) keeping him safe from the Ministry and the Death Eaters?
1983/84:PY4:AGE23-24:R-O-N:9-6-5:20->2: Again "The Essence of the number 2 is a cycle when everything seems to be consolidating and this is decidedly a period of growth. But often the growth is not without reversals, and there is much emphasis on cooperation and patience. You may find yourself developing relationships, or trying very hard to develop a good relationship. You will likely find yourself working with and hopefully helping others. Conversely, you can['t] expect to get much help from others now. This is apt to be a period of slow development, delays, roadblocks, and obstacles, and the period can be one of great frustration for you in certain ways. There can be a lot of emotions associated with the 2 Essence, and you may become much more sensitive now. Lowered energy and vitality may be experienced throughout the cycle. Confrontations are difficult now, but often necessary." I think it's interesting that the letters spell "RON", and I wonder if Severus had any (perhaps confrontational) dealings with the Weasleys when Ron was about 3yrs old....This would be about the time Bill Weasley started at Hogwarts, wouldn't it?
1984/85:PY5:AGE24-25:U-O-N:3-6-5:14->5: Again "With the Essence of the number 5 you will find that the events and opportunities coming your way will emphasize freedom and change. Your experiences during this cycle will be sudden, unusual, and unexpected, and you are apt to be dealing with constantly changing circumstances and activities. The ventures in your life now will stress progress, new ideas, and probably new friends. Travel is very likely. There should be a caution here to avoid tendencies to go off in every direction and scatter your forces. Choose your opportunities carefully and thoughtfully. Freedom is great, but be sure to use it in constructive ways that help others and yourself." This is also a personal year 5, so again "This may be a period when you are too free-wheeling and unrestrained. Constant change is not always constant growth and development. Try to maintain a balanced and thoughtful approach to problems and opportunities. Control self-centered interests."
1985/86:PY6:AGE25-26:U-O-A:3-6-1:10->1: Again "The Essence of the number 1 signals a time when you are developing new ideas and enlarging on projects that have been around for a while. This will be a period that will bring the opportunity for marked increase in your personal status and recognition. This Essence is often an opportunity to turn a life-long avocation into a money-making vocation. Many new friends and business associations are likely now. Your status in the world may grow, and you may get some recognition for your achievements. One thing may lead to another and you may find many alterations in your life during this essence."
1986/87:PY7:AGE26-27:U-O-P:3-6-7:16->7: continued study, isolation, self-focus, withdrawl for reflection...hopefully comfortable?
1987/88:PY8:AGE27-28:S-O-P:1-6-7:14->5: \
1988/89:PY9:AGE28-29:S-O-P:1-6-7:14->5:
1989/90:PY1:AGE29-30:E-B-P:5-2-7:14->5:
1990/91:PY2:AGE30-31:E-B-P:5-2-7:14->5: /-> This is another patch of more than 3 years of the 5 essence, so again "A long period of 5 Essence suggests that it is apt to be a very free-wheeling period. Unless some self-discipline is exercised, most of the energy is likely to be scattered with little accomplishment. If this scattering occurs, there may be feelings of deep frustration." So what was Severus up to the four years leading up to Harry's admission to Hogwarts?
1991/92:PY3:AGE31-32:E-I-P:5-9-7:21->3: Again "The Essence of the number 3 is a very special time when you feel and experience the joy of living to its utmost. This is a very enjoyable time in your life. You are apt to be making a lot of new friends and renewing old friendships. This is a time for love affairs and expanding the social circle; many activities and good times. You are likely to travel a good bit during this Essence.
The other factor that is associated with the Essence of 3 is that of expression. This is a very good time for you to be interested in the development of creative work, particularly works that involve words...singing, acting, writing. This should be a busy time advancing your talents with classes or study, or for starting or expanding business ventures involving creative endeavors.
Optimism is the operative word for this cycle. This is a very pleasant period, but you must beware of a tendency now to scatter your energies." However, this is also a personal year 3 for Severus, and during this first year of Harry at Hogworts, "Since you are enjoying this three Essence along with a 3 personal year, you may have a great deal of difficulty maintaining your sense of self-discipline. Having too much fun can be a long term mistake. Likewise, this is probably to be a very restless time for you as you may be on the go a great deal." So, Severus is actaully happy about Harry coming to Hogwarts (for whatever reason). He's restless because of his life debt to James, and he's hoping to pay back the debt by saving the accident and attack-prone Harry. He's also having too much fun teasing Harry (because Harry's supposedly "just like" James), and this causes the long-term mistake of making Harry never trust him.... I think at this point Severus isn't seeing Harry as the "Boy Who Lived" so much as he sees an opportunity to tease and torment James's son...and perhaps to pay back the life debt. This is the start of Hogwarts year 1 for Harry.
1992/93:PY4:AGE32-33:E-I-P:5-9-7:21->3: continued optimism...but why? Did Severus think Harry might be heir to Slytherin? Surely not.... Did Lucius tell Severus anything about his plans for the diary? Doubtful. Would this be about something else...something not really mentioned in the books? Perhaps Severus is happy Harry managed to keep Quirrell and Voldemort away from the Philosopher's Stone.... Harry's first year ends here, then his second year begins Sept. 1st.
1993/94:PY5:AGE33-34:E-I-E:5-9-5:19->1: Again "The Essence of the number 1 signals a time when you are developing new ideas and enlarging on projects that have been around for a while. This will be a period that will bring the opportunity for marked increase in your personal status and recognition. This Essence is often an opportunity to turn a life-long avocation into a money-making vocation. Many new friends and business associations are likely now. Your status in the world may grow, and you may get some recognition for your achievements. One thing may lead to another and you may find many alterations in your life during this essence." Severus might be formulating new ideas about Harry's role in the prophesy, or perhaps he's figuring out what the rest of the prophesy entails. During the first half of the year, Harry has defeated the basilisk and saved Ginny. Summer vacation follows. During the second half of this personal year, Severus must work with his childhood "enemy" Remus Lupin and is called upon to prepare Wolfsbane Potion for him. Severus thinks Remus might be helping Sirius gain access to Hogwarts, and he seems to really think Sirius is loyal to Voldemort. So, where does this put Severus if he (Severus) is actually loyal to Voldemort? How sad is it that when Severus should be making new friends he's forced to work with an old enemy, and how equally sad is it that when Severus could be turning his potion-making into a more lucrative venture, he's now making potions for Remus...apparently without any extra payment? Harry's second year ends and third year begins.
1994/95:PY6:AGE34-35:V-I-E:4-9-5:18->9: Recall "With the Essence of the number 9 life will tend to have a very dramatic or emotional flair. Your feelings and reactions to events will be very acute. Often this Essence denotes the ending to a significant endeavor, and a marked change in interests of some kind. Usually, additional freedom is a byproduct of the concluding affair. If you are single, there is likely to be an intense or emotional romance. Frequently, this Essence shows involvement with humanitarian endeavors are a constant during the essence period. Endings now may lead to a more useful life." \ Severus comes close to getting an Order of Merlin, 1st Class, but this is ruined when Sirius escapes. Crouch Jr., as Moody, is snooping around...keeping his creepy eye on Severus and stealing from Severus's office. The mark on his arm is growing stronger/darker. Karkaroff is at Hogwarts and hounding Severus about the implications of the returned marks. (Harry's 3rd year ends and 4th year begins)
1995/96:PY7:AGE35-36:V-I-E:4-9-5:18->9: A Hogwarts student is dead (Cedric) and the burning mark on Severus's forearm just confirms Harry's story about Voldemort's rebirth. Dumbledore has asked Severus to return to his role as spy in the Death Eater camp. Severus must face Voldemort and successfully answer any questions he might have. Dumbledore has also asked (or demanded) that Severus teach Harry Occlumency. As school recommences Umbridge arrives, filling the cursed DADA position. Umbridge interogates Severus (and other professors) then gets Dumbledore removed and takes over the school. Harry's Occlumency lessons aren't getting very far...this is uncomfortable for all involved. Though this time could have been therapeutic for Severus and Harry, Severus ends Occulency lessons when Harry sneaks a peak into the Pensieve containing memories Severus didn't want him to see. (Harry's 4rd year ends and 5th year begins)
1996/97:PY8:AGE36-67:V-I-E:4-9-5:18->9: Umbridge and her Inquisitorial Squad are causing havoc, Harry's DA is apprehended, and Umbridge wants Snape to give her more Veritaserum. Severus is shocked that Umbridge used all the Veritaserum at a previous interrogation attempt on Harry, and he claims that he has run out. McGonagall has been injured. Sirius gets killed (Severus takes partial credit), the prophesy sphere is destroyed, Voldemort is out in the open now (even the Ministry can't deny his return anymore), and Dumbledore resumes his frequent trips away from Hogwarts. During the summer, Severus saves Dumbledore's life after an encounter with some curse (we know it was from a horcrux), then Severus returns to his home on Spinner's End, where Wormtail now stays to "assist" him, and where he's visited by a fearful Narcissa and a distrustful Bellatrix. He takes the U.Vow with Narcissa (Bellatrix is the bonder), then he reports to Dumbledore, who has him spend the approaching school year interrogating Draco. (Harry's 5rd year ends and 6th year begins)
1997/98:PY9:AGE37-38:V-I-E:4-9-5:18->9: /-> This 9 essence lasts for 4 years, so "The fact that this is such a long period of 9 essence suggests that it is apt to be a very extended period of passionate feelings, a long drawn out love affair with a prolonged ending, or perhaps a sustained effort of some sort." The last year of this 9 essence streak is also a personal year 9, so "This may be an emotionally draining year which completions coming only with great difficulty. Clear thinking will be difficult but it is a must." Harry has possession of Severus's old potions book (it's full of potions tips and potentially dangerous spells), and Severus suspects something when he hears that Harry is doing better at potions. Draco has learned Occulmency from his Aunt Bellatrix and he won't share his plans to kill Dumbledore, fearing Severus will "steal his glory". Literally, this is a matter of life or death for himself, Draco, and Dumbledore, as well as other students (like Ron and Katie). Harry uses Sectumsempra on Draco without first knowing what it would do. Death Eaters gain access to Hogwarts, Draco fails to kill the "mysteriously" weakened Dumbledore, then Severus steps in to complete the task. We don't know what kind of interchange Dumbledore and Severus have on that tower, though emotions definitely run high. This is followed by Severus's flight from Hogwarts to an undisclosed location. Harry is after him and calling him a coward. Severus is obviously furious, but there is also deep pain...anguish. He saves Harry from the curses cast by other Death Eaters, yet he gets attacked by Witherwings (Hagrid said they were proud and easily offended). We don't yet know what happens after this except that Dumbledore's funeral is held (and Severus might have attended it in a disguise). Book 7 will start where this leaves off. (Harry's 6th year ends and 7th year would begin (if he continued his schooling)) Notice the word formed by the letters pulled from Severus's name over the past four years: "vie". Vie means to rival someone, but who is Severus really rivalling? Is it Dumbledore, Harry, Voldemort, or a "fellow" Death Eater? However, "vie" can also mean "struggle", so it could just be a reinforcement of his struggle to survive....
1998/99:PY1:AGE38-39:E-I-S:5-9-1:15->6: Here's a shortened version of the 6 essence, focusing on Severus's circumstances: "...focuses circumstances and opportunities on the home, the family, and largely on domestic matters.... associated with responsibility, but usually the job is close to home or involving those nearest to you, including your close friends.... may and often does involve you in service to your community in some way; assuming responsibility for those outside your immediate family...." (Harry's 7th year would end halfway through this essence year) Harry told Ron and Hermione that if he came across Severus it would be to his own benefit and to Severus's detriment. Jo's wording in HBP suggests that at some point the confrontation will occur, and that whatever happens, Harry will benefit somehow and Severus will somehow suffer. I think that during this personal year Severus will once again help Harry, perhaps in a more foreward manner (all the help he's given so far is rather roundabout and apparently begrudging or even accidental). This could mean Severus has to officially proclaim what side he's on (or admit he's completely rogue, like his French surname, and willing to help whomever can best reward him). He has already lost his job, the Ministry wants to capture him and possibly perform the dementor's kiss, the Order thinks he's a traitor, and we don't yet know what Voldemort or the Death Eater's think about his "accomplishment". What more could happen to Severus? He could end up in Azkaban ("kissed" or otherwise), dead, or in hiding the rest of his life (like Sirius).
1999/00:PY2:AGE39-40:E-I-N:5-9-5:19->1: Again "The Essence of the number 1 signals a time when you are developing new ideas and enlarging on projects that have been around for a while. This will be a period that will bring the opportunity for marked increase in your personal status and recognition. This Essence is often an opportunity to turn a life-long avocation into a money-making vocation. Many new friends and business associations are likely now. Your status in the world may grow, and you may get some recognition for your achievements. One thing may lead to another and you may find many alterations in your life during this essence." The last time Severus had this essence Remus had reentered Severus's life, and Remus recognized Severus's true talent at potions. Perhaps Severus will finally be recognized by the wizarding public for helping Harry. Maybe Severus will get the coveted Order of Merlin, First Class.... Maybe he'll return to Hogwarts as a hero, or he could open a potions shop and make Wolfsbane potion more accessible for werewolves.... I'm just dreaming, aren't I?
2000/01:PY3:AGE40-41:E-A-N:5-1-5:11->2: Again "The Essence of the number 2 is a cycle when everything seems to be consolidating and this is decidedly a period of growth. But often the growth is not without reversals, and there is much emphasis on cooperation and patience. You may find yourself developing relationships, or trying very hard to develop a good relationship. You will likely find yourself working with and hopefully helping others. Conversely, you can['t] expect to get much help from others now. This is apt to be a period of slow development, delays, roadblocks, and obstacles, and the period can be one of great frustration for you in certain ways. There can be a lot of emotions associated with the 2 Essence, and you may become much more sensitive now. Lowered energy and vitality may be experienced throughout the cycle. Confrontations are difficult now, but often necessary." According to the numerology reading I did for Harry, it was going to potentially take 6 additional years before the final confrontation with Voldemort. If this is the case, Severus might continue to help, yet argue with, Harry.
2001/02:PY4:AGE41-42:E-S-N:5-1-5:11->2: ditto as above.
2002/03:PY5:AGE42-43:E-T-N:5-2-5:12->3: Severus should have a pleasant personal year. It's interesting to think what this could mean for him....
2003/04:PY6:AGE43-44:R-T-N:9-2-5:16->7: Again "During the essence of the number 7, many of the events in your life now will often involve study, a sense of isolation, and an inwardly focused attitude toward yourself. A time of looking for an understanding of fundamentals and pursuing new interests has arrived. You are likely to find yourself withdrawing for a time of reflection and perhaps even meditation, hopefully comfortable with a chance for repose." These periods of the 7 essence seem to be the result of Severus doubting the path he has chosen or the choice he has recently made.... This is also interesting to think about.
2004/05:PY7:AGE44-45:R-O-A:9-6-1:16->7: ditto as above.
2005/06:P78:AGE45-46:R-O-P:9-6-7:22->4: Again "During this number 4 Essence the events and opportunities coming your way will emphasize a more serious tone. This is a time to buckle down and put the affairs of your life in order. Your attention is apt to be drawn to more practical interests such as dealing with financial matters and your work. The development of opportunities in your life now requires a practical and realistic view along with a lot of hard work, effort, determination and discipline. In many ways you are apt to feel a sense of restriction in your life for a while and you may face some setbacks as the pace of progress slows somewhat. This is a building time and the building is sometimes painfully slow." After a couple years of isolation (self-imposed or otherwise) Severus will perhaps chnage his pace and his focus. What will this focus be?
2006/07:PY9:AGE46-47:R-O-P:9-6-7:22->4: ditto
2007/08:PY1:AGE47-48:R-O-P:9-6-7:22->4: This 4 essence has gone on for at least 3 years, so "Since the 4 essence is with you for several years, this period is apt to feel like a never ending struggle. Yet significant gains or accomplishments may be the reward for your hard work and determination during this essence." What would Severus's gains or accomplishments be?

I debated whether to continue extrapolating meaning from future dates, but I think it's best to stop here, during the year when Book 7 will be released....

Attempt at Numerology Reading for Severus Snape, part 4

2006-08-15T09:41:00.000-06:00

This post (and the next) will be devoted to Essences of the Name, since it's such a detailed portion of the reading. Be warned: this is a very long post! It covers the first twenty years of Severus's life....

Again, I'm assuming his full name is Severus Tobias Snape. This time I'm also going to assume he was born on January 9, 1960, since this is the most-likely date.

Things do get a little confusing when we start talking about Severus's personal year vs. the school year. Since he was born in January but each school year starts in September, we have to be careful what events we associate with each personal year. For example, the events of "Snape's Worst Memory" happened during O.W.L.s, which is at the end of 5th year at Hogwarts. For Severus, his 5th year at school starts during 1975, a personal year 5, but the O.W.L.s and the Levicorpus! incident happen in late spring or early summer 1976, during the first half of a personal year 6.

Using the grid to convert the letters to numbers, and following the instructions for completing the Essences worksheet (http://www.astrology-numerology.com/num-esswrkst.html), we get the following info (number readings from http://www.astrology-numerology.com/num-essences.html):

Essences of the Name =

1960/61:PY8:AGE0-1:S-T-S:1-2-1:4->4: "During this number 4 Essence the events and opportunities coming your way will emphasize a more serious tone. This is a time to buckle down and put the affairs of your life in order. Your attention is apt to be drawn to more practical interests such as dealing with financial matters and your work. The development of opportunities in your life now requires a practical and realistic view along with a lot of hard work, effort, determination and discipline. In many ways you are apt to feel a sense of restriction in your life for a while and you may face some setbacks as the pace of progress slows somewhat. This is a building time and the building is sometimes painfully slow." Some of this doesn't apply, since he's just a baby, but there might have been some setbacks, depending on his parents' relationship, his father's attitude toward the wizarding world, etc... things we really don't know, though we suspect Tobias Snape was not an easy man to live with.
1961/62:PY9:AGE1-2:E-T-E:5-2-5:12->3: "The Essence of the number 3 is a very special time when you feel and experience the joy of living to its utmost. This is a very enjoyable time in your life. You are apt to be making a lot of new friends and renewing old friendships. This is a time for love affairs and expanding the social circle; many activities and good times. You are likely to travel a good bit during this Essence.
The other factor that is associated with the Essence of 3 is that of expression. This is a very good time for you to be interested in the development of creative work, particularly works that involve words...singing, acting, writing. This should be a busy time advancing your talents with classes or study, or for starting or expanding business ventures involving creative endeavors.
Optimism is the operative word for this cycle. This is a very pleasant period, but you must beware of a tendency now to scatter your energies." I'm trying to think of this in terms of early development, since he's still just a baby. Perhaps the Snapes moved into a new home, or perhaps baby Severus was making great progress in learning language and other skills...maybe he discovered early-on that he was magical? It's a personal year 9 for Severus, so it might have marked the end of something bad in his life, hence the happiness he feels.
1962/63:PY1:AGE2-3:E-O-N:5-6-5:16->7: \ "During the essence of the number 7, many of the events in your life now will often involve study, a sense of isolation, and an inwardly focused attitude toward yourself. A time of looking for an understanding of fundamentals and pursuing new interests has arrived. You are likely to find yourself withdrawing for a time of reflection and perhaps even meditation, hopefully comfortable with a chance for repose." I have a feeling his fundamental wizarding studies started as soon as he could hold a wand. He might have had time and opportunity to reflect and meditate, but I doubt he had much time for repose during these early years.
1963/64:PY2:AGE3-4:E-O-N:5-6-5:16->7:
1964/65:PY3:AGE4-5:E-O-N:5-6-5:16->7:
1965/66:PY4:AGE5-6:E-O-N:5-6-5:16->7: /-> "Since the 7 essence is to be with you for a while, look forward to a time of internality and spiritual growth. You may grow away from others and become much more introspective." Severus doesn't seem to have had much of a social life to begin with. If the later glimpse we saw of him spending time alone in his room and shooting down flies is any indication, his earlier years might have been spent in a similar fashion.
1966/67:PY5:AGE6-7:V-O-A:4-6-1:11->2: "The Essence of the number 2 is a cycle when everything seems to be consolidating and this is decidedly a period of growth. But often the growth is not without reversals, and there is much emphasis on cooperation and patience. You may find yourself developing relationships, or trying very hard to develop a good relationship. You will likely find yourself working with and hopefully helping others. Conversely, you can['t] expect to get much help from others now. This is apt to be a period of slow development, delays, roadblocks, and obstacles, and the period can be one of great frustration for you in certain ways. There can be a lot of emotions associated with the 2 Essence, and you may become much more sensitive now. Lowered energy and vitality may be experienced throughout the cycle. Confrontations are difficult now, but often necessary." This could refer to Severus trying to gain a healthy relationship with his father, or this is a time of major confrontations with his father...perhaps Severus stands up to his father to protect his mom. Another possibility could be an outside relationship; is this when Severus meets Lily Evans? Since he's a half-blood, he might have attended a Muggle school for some basic education, and he might have met Lily there. If so, they might have become friends and studied together. Either way, this would be a very emotional time for Severus.
1967/68:PY6:AGE7-8:V-O-P:4-6-7:17->8: "The number 8 essence suggests that the trend of events will be pointed toward getting ahead in a material sense and basically taking care of business. This essence normally marks a period when the business and professional reputation is enhanced and ripens. You are apt to reap financial gain now, building or expanding current ventures. Common sense and good judgments will help you achieve goals and make some real progress. This is apt to be a period when you work very hard." I can definitely see Severus trying to improve his reputation, since he'd previously been so reclusive.
1968/69:PY7:AGE8-9:V-B-P:4-2-7:13->4: \
1969/70:PY8:AGE9-10:V-B-P:4-2-7:13->4: / Here are two more years of seriousness, hard work, setbacks, and slow devolopment. He probably knows about Hogwarts by now, and perhaps his studies have increased as he awaits an acceptance letter.
1970/71:PY9:AGE10-11:E-I-P:5-9-7:21->3: \ Again this is a time for optimism and joy, being social, traveling, etc. (the Hogwarts acceptance letter arrives either at the end of this year...)
1971/72:PY1:AGE11-12:E-I-P:5-9-7:21->3: (...or quite early this year.) Severus attends his first year at Hogwarts (starts Sept. 1st) on a personal year 1.
1972/73:PY2:AGE12-13:E-I-P:5-9-7:21->3: (Second year at Hogwarts starts Sept. 1st)
1973/74:PY3:AGE13-14:E-I-P:5-9-7:21->3: /-> "This long period may allow a significant creative development in a positive and happy time of your life." This series of 3's is marked by ending in a personal year 3: "Since you are enjoying this three Essence along with a 3 personal year, you may have a great deal of difficulty maintaining your sense of self-discipline. Having too much fun can be a long term mistake. Likewise, this is probably to be a very restless time for you as you may be on the go a great deal." Not only is it a personal year 3 and a 3 essence, but it's also the start of his 3rd year at Hogwarts. So, what happens to Severus's self-discipline during this time? Did he do something to one of the Mauraders (or to someone else), and did this action spawn the feud between himself and the Mauraders?
1974/75:PY4:AGE14-15:E-I-E:5-9-5:19->1: "The Essence of the number 1 signals a time when you are developing new ideas and enlarging on projects that have been around for a while. This will be a period that will bring the opportunity for marked increase in your personal status and recognition. This Essence is often an opportunity to turn a life-long avocation into a money-making vocation. Many new friends and business associations are likely now. Your status in the world may grow, and you may get some recognition for your achievements. One thing may lead to another and you may find many alterations in your life during this essence." (4th year at Hogwarts starts Sept.1st, 1974)
1975/76:PY5:AGE15-16:R-I-E:9-9-5:23->5: \ "With the Essence of the number 5 you will find that the events and opportunities coming your way will emphasize freedom and change. Your experiences during this cycle will be sudden, unusual, and unexpected, and you are apt to be dealing with constantly changing circumstances and activities. The ventures in your life now will stress progress, new ideas, and probably new friends. Travel is very likely. There should be a caution here to avoid tendencies to go off in every direction and scatter your forces. Choose your opportunities carefully and thoughtfully. Freedom is great, but be sure to use it in constructive ways that help others and yourself." Travel comes not only in the form of taking the Hogwarts Express: his 5th year (starting Sept. 1st, 1975) will include Apparation lessons (though the actually lessons might not start until early next period). This is also a personal year 5: "This may be a period when you are too free-wheeling and unrestrained. Constant change is not always constant growth and development. Try to maintain a balanced and thoughtful approach to problems and opportunities. Control self-centered interests." Perhaps Snape wasn't particularly constructive in his freedom during this year. This might lead to the events that occur during the first half of the next 12 month period.
1976/77:PY6:AGE16-17:R-I-E:9-9-5:23->5: Apparation lessons might actually start here...it would be personal year 6 but during Hogwarts year 5. O.W.L.s definitely happen during this period, so this is when the events of "Snape's Worst Memory" occur. Like Harry, Severus can take Apparation lessons, but he's still 16 and cannot get his apparation license yet. (Hogwarts year 6 starts Sept. 1st, 1976) Since Snape tells Dumbledore that Sirius was capable of murder by the age of 16, and we think Sirius and Severus are basically the same age, Sirius's prank to let the transformed Remus kill Severus (and James's rescue of Severus) might have happened during the second half of this period.
1977/78:PY7:AGE17-18:R-I-E:9-9-5:23->5: It's possible that the "werewolf prank" happened during the first half of this period...it would be personal year 7 but still Hogwarts year 6. (Hogwarts year 7 starts Sept. 1st, 1977) Snape probably got his Apparation License during this period.
1978/79:PY8:AGE18-19:R-I-E:9-9-5:23->5: /-> Severus has the 5 essence for 4 consecutive personal years: "A long period of 5 Essence suggests that it is apt to be a very free-wheeling period. Unless some self-discipline is exercised, most of the energy is likely to be scattered with little accomplishment. If this scattering occurs, there may be feelings of deep frustration." We've seen a glimpse of how James and the other Mauraders usually treated Severus, how Lily treated Severus on one occasion, and how Severus responded to Lily's offer to defend him, but how did Severus usually treat people? How was Severus's self-discipline? Did he feel like he was spinning his wheels (so to speak) while he waited for graduation? He graduates this year, so perhaps the frustration will end with the receipt of his diploma....
1979/80:PY9:AGE19-20:R-A-S:9-1-1:11->2: This is the "fateful" year that Severus applies for the DADA position but never gets to sit the interview. He is caught spying on Trelawney, gets kicked out of the Hog's Head, and reports his findings to Voldemort. Refer to the quote about the 2 essence...setbacks and slow growth, indeed! He's working with/for Voldemort and trying to help him, but his information is incomplete, so though Voldemort might be quite pleased with Severus, Severus's personal growth has been severely hampered. Notice the numbers from the letters are 911...I'm not sure about elsewhere, but in the US it's the number for an emergency. It can be said this is a period of emotional (and perhaps spiritual) crisis. This also happens to be a personal year 9, the end of a cycle, so let's see how the next cycle begins....

I'm breaking up this section of the reading because it's just too long. To be continued!

Attempt at Numerology Reading for Severus Snape, part 3

2006-08-14T16:49:00.000-06:00

Using the name Severus Tobias Snape and the conversion chart for letter to number again, we can count each time a number appears in the name. This is meant to give us insight into traits and lessons peculiar to Severus.

S-E-V-E-R-U-S-T-O-B-I-A-S-S-N-A-P-E
1-5-4-5-9-3-1-2-6-2-9-1-1-1-5-1-7-5

The following number meanings are all quoted from http://www.astrology-numerology.com/num-intensity.html.... If the occurance of a number is below average but that number appears in the core numbers, then the issue is either lessened or not considered an issue.

Special Traits and Lessons =

6 1s, above avg, "More than average 1s. With more than the expected number of ones in your name, you may be very headstrong and even overly assertive in your will to lead. Avoid being too quick to demand your own way." Sounds sort of like Severus....
2 2s, above avg, "Many 2s. You're very considerate of others and have a flair for compromise. Harmony and agreement making may be a major career advantage. You are faithful and adaptable, even to the extent of giving too much. You have a significant appreciate of the arts." How does this fit in with the greasy git we "know"? This is the exact opposite of having more than the average number of 1s.... Is this intentional on JKR's part...to keep us questioning his loyalties?
1 3, below avg, "No 3s or less than average. This doesn't say that you are dull, but it does suggest that you may have to be stimulated into enjoying yourself. You are not a romantic and one to base decisions of fanciful ideas. Creative ideas may be rare. Of course, if you have a 3 Life Path, Expression, or Soul Urge, this may not be such a problem." We "know" him to be quite creative. Perhaps his little bit of "3" allows him some creativity but no romanticism....
1 4, avg, "Average. If you have at least one 4 in your name, your ability to concentrate and apply yourself to a task will allow you to get along well in the world much of the time. The number 4 gives us common sense and the desire to build or develop things. The number 4 needs order and structure." Concentration and application might be what has allowed Severus to get along with the world at all! He definitely needs some order and structure in his life.
4 5s, avg, "Average. If you have the average of four 5s in your name, you enjoy the human trait of having change and variety in your life, at least to a normal degree. You get along well in day-to-day public contact with the world, and adjust to meeting new people, travel, progress, and all of the changes that are part of living." He does seem pretty good with adjustments, but that might be because of the duality of his nature.
1 6, below avg, "No 6s or less than average. With just one 6 or with a name not containing a 6, your sense of duty to those around you is not strong. Indeed, the sense of obligation to fix the world is not strong in many of us. In daily living, the absence of 6s suggests a certain detachment, and problems large and small are handled without becoming very emotional or concerned. Parenting is often too loose and less than demanding." This worries me, since I (along with all the other people who hope Snape is basically good) should think Severus would have a very strong sense of duty...as a professor, as a member of the Order of the Phoenix, as someone who wishes to get an Order of Merlin, First Class.... Perhaps this is just part of his mask?
1 7, avg, "Average. The average of one 7 gives the abilities to analyze, investigate, and learn easily. You have a questioning mind which stimulates reading, study, observation and development of the mind. You have the ability to question and discriminate constructively." This makes sense for the Half-Blood Prince who's imaginative and investigative mind has come up with so many hexes and potion tips.
0 8s, below avg, "No 8s. Without an 8 in your name it will be more difficult to manage and direct even your own personal affairs. Power, wealth, and leadership roles in life may not be your primary goal. Yet you are apt to suffer less stress because of your attitudes about these issues." However, if Severus was born in 1960, then his Life Path number is 8. His Soul Urge number is also an 8. Therefore, he's at least an average for 8, possibly even above average. So, let's look at those, too:
"Average. If you have the average of at least one 8, you are generally businesslike and self-sufficient in your affairs. You have average abilities to lead, direct and control others if you choose to develop these traits. With an 8 in your name, you can weigh and balance. Business, management, supervising people, and managing money are traits shown by the number 8."
"Many 8s. With 2 or more 8s you may have an intensity in your nature that drives toward power and control of others. You have a strong drive to accomplish, work, guide and command. Life may hold many tests and be frustrating at times, but the rewards can be high. Be aware of the stress in your life." Though he has no eights in his name, his Soul Urge is an eight. Also, if his birthdate is in fact 1/9/1960 (not 1959) then even his Life Path is an eight. This man has no need of eights in his Traits...he might even fall into the category of having too many eights, which leads to the intensity we detect in him. So, is he simply good at management, or is he truly controlling and driven toward power? Would this be the kind of power he sought while pledging to the Death Eaters, or are his intentions more noble?
2 9s, low to avg. The chart (see the url link) states that 2 is considered below average, but the number reading states that 2 is considered average, so we'll look at both.
"No 9s or only one 9 in your name. The lack of 9s in the name, though rare, makes it hard to understand and accept others that are different. There is little feeling of universal or spiritual connection."
"Average. With the average three 9s (or perhaps with only 2) in your name, you have the sense of compassion, goodwill, and tolerance for your fellow man that is necessary to live in our complicated world. The number 9 is associated with mankind and brotherhood. It produces our willingness to accept different races, colors, religions, and beliefs, and life comfortably in our environment. There is a spiritual understanding and acceptance that is normal and healthy." Well, I hope 2 really is considered average, since that would suggest Severus can learn to accept Harry for himself, instead of the constant comparisons to James. However, Severus has the serious problem of holding grudges, and he might never let go...unless Harry (or perhaps Lupin or Peter) can shed light on the past and show Severus that James's intentions were good in saving Severus all those years ago...not just a means to keep out of trouble. Personally I think Snape's grudge goes deeper than James's motives or James exposing Severus's underpants. Perhaps it has something to do with James and Lily. Remember that the name James comes from Jacob, meaning a usurper or a supplanter.... Where is Severus's acceptance of the past? Will he be able to move on?

Attempt at Numerology Reading for Severus Snape, part 2

2006-08-14T16:39:00.000-06:00

Regardless of whether he was born in 1959 or 1960, Severus's Life Path Periods are split by the same years. The path number for the third period, however, depends on his birth year.

Life Path Periods =

The 1st starts when he's born (either 1959 or 1960) and ends in 1988. The number = 1.
The 2nd starts in 1989 and ends in 2015. The number = 9.
The 3rd starts in 2016 and ends at death (but we don't know when that is). The number = 6 if the birth year is 1959, but it's 7 if the birth year is 1960.

1 1st Life Path Period: "Early years: In this period you will show a stronger tendency toward independence. Originality and creativity come early and continue through this period. You have the ability to lead early on, but at a time when the emphasis is on learning to follow, this can be a problem. You do have a good deal of early self-confidence and individuality which can help you achieve early successes. You are aggressive in your early career path." (http://www.astrology-numerology.com/num-periods.html) This supports my idea (shared by many sleuths) that Snape is confident in his magical ability, but not much else. It also supports his claims that the spells and potion recipe improvements are really his own inventions/discoveries (not his mom's nor Lily's). Not only all that, but it also shows a possible reason why he "left" Voldemort: Severus is a born leader, not much of a follower...this supports the rogue idea of Snape. And, indeed, Severus Snape was "translated" into French as Severus Rogue.

9 2nd Life Path Period: "Productive years: With the 9 in the productive years you may find yourself becoming more of a humanitarian. You may find it easier to express compassion, sympathy, understanding and tolerance while in this period. This can be an emotional cycle and one of significant personal growth. You may be called on to overcome disappointments and setbacks, but the potential for gain in this period is significant." (http://www.astrology-numerology.com/num-periods.html) This starts in 1989.... If you look back on the Numerology Reading posts for Harry, and go to part 3, Essences of the Years, you'll see that something interesting happened to Harry between July 1988 and July 1989, but we don't know what it was...it gave Harry "joy and optimism". I'd been trying to think what that could have been, and I wish I knew when Harry received his glasses...and who gave them to him. Any chance Harry got his one and only pair of glasses in 1989, around the time of his 9th birthday? Any chance these glasses came from Severus? And was it really a blessing, or a curse in disguise? Let's hope that the possible compassion we saw in early Occlumency lessons is another leap in Severus's personal emotional growth.... Now if Severus will only let go of his grudges!

6 vs. 8 3rd Life Path Period:

6: "Later years: The 6 period late in life is usually a happy and content time. It denotes a tendency to accept responsibility and lend a helping hand to those around you. You are not likely to be lonely in your later years since family and domestic matters will probably be emphasized during this time. Indeed, you may help or even be responsible for rearing a grandchild or two."(http://www.astrology-numerology.com/num-periods.html)

8: "Later years: With the 8 lifepath period in later life, it is suggested that your greatest achievements may be yet to come. If all you have lacked before is good management, now may be your time to shine. In retirement you may find yourself deeply involved in clubs, organizations and perhaps government entities. Your contribution to these can be important for your sense of accomplishment and for your social life at this time."(http://www.astrology-numerology.com/num-periods.html) I think the number 8 makes more sense for Severus as a 3rd Life Path Period, which gives even more evidence that he was born in 1960, not 1959.... I have trouble seeing him surrounded by family and rearing grandkids (unless he's actually married already and JKR is keeping this fact hidden...for reasons we'd discover later). I do, however, see him involved in more organizations or perhaps working with the Ministry of Magic.
Severus has had, and will have, major challenges in life. We know he's a gifted potion-maker and is also a creative inovator in hexes and curses. He also has the emotional obstacles of an abusive father and poverty to overcome. The first sub-challenge is the major obstacle for the first half of his life. The second sub-challenge dominates the second half of life. The main challenge is a life-long issue.

Challenges =

1st sub-challenge = 8 (day 9 - month 1)
2nd sub-challenge = either 3 (day 9 - year 1959 reduced to 6) or 2 (day 9 - year 1960 reduced to 7)
main challenge = either 5 (8 - 3 for year 1959) or 6 (8 - 2 for year 1960)

1st Sub-challenge 8: "The challenge of the number 8 suggests an early life assumption that satisfaction can only be gained and safeguarded by adequate material accumulation. There's likely to be considerable effort exerted to attain money, status, and power, sometimes to the exclusion of almost all else. The number 8 challenge indicates that you are/were using your concern with material matters with negative emphasis. You must learn to use your ability to gain money, status and power with a sense of proportion and an awareness of the relation of material affairs to other matters, and deal with the material world in a comfortable manner." (http://www.astrology-numerology.com/num-challenges.html#8)

2nd Sub-challenge 3 vs. 2:

Sub-challenge 3: "The challenge of the number 3 suggests a tendency to scatter talents and try to do too many things at once during this period of your life. You may have a fine imagination and a gift for words, but you find it hard to express yourself effectively. Though you know you should cultivate friends and be sociable, you tend to be somewhat reclusive and defensive. You may have a talent for writing, acting, or speaking, but you are reluctant to involve yourself with these sorts of activities because you do not like to face the prospects of criticism. You are expressing yourself with a negative emphasis, hiding your creative talents behind a wall of shyness. You must strive to develop yourself in a social and in a creative sense. It's hard to just relax and have a good time." (http://www.astrology-numerology.com/num-challenges.html#3)

Sub-challenge 2: "The challenge of the number 2 suggests you are likely to be extremely sensitive and more or less brimming with feeling. You find it hard to work with people because your are afraid of being criticized or, worse yet, ignored. You have a good deal of self-doubt and a definite lack of self confidence. There is a tendency to constantly worry about the opinion that others have of you. There is likewise a tendency to use this sensitivity in a negative way. Used more positively, your keen sensitivities can be a significant strength, allowing you to be acutely aware of so much of with others rarely perceive. But during this period it will be hard for you to assert yourself and make decisions. You will shy away from positions of authority and responsibility. This can be a time for accumulation of wisdom, as you show patience and pay close attention to detail. Try not to take things too personally. Friendships are a source of deep satisfaction to you during this time. Respect your ability to compromise and grow in a quiet way. Do not let details overwhelm you and keep you from seeing the big picture. Plan for slow growth rather than immediate gain." (http://www.astrology-numerology.com/num-challenges.html#2) Actually I don't like either of these for Snape as the challenge of later life, though he might not reach the second part of his life (during the series) for us to see if either of these challenges becomes a big issue for him. I can see him doing some of the things mentioned in either path, like taking things too personally, being talented but reclusive and defensive, hiding the creative talents. Thing is, he does this now. This leads me to think his life might be "short".

Main challenge 5 vs. 6:

Challenge 5: "The challenge of the number 5 suggests that your challenge is to overcome the desire and the demand for freedom at any price. This challenge number is very difficult to handle because, with it, you are apt to be extremely impulsive; you want to try everything at least once, and you are rather unstable in many ways. Change may be necessary for you, but it must be handled in an intelligent and controlled manner. Make certain that the desire for change is not associated with a desire to escape responsibility. In any event, this challenge requires that you learn as early as possible in life to control your impulses." (http://www.astrology-numerology.com/num-challenges.html#5)

Challenge 6: "The challenge of the number 6 suggests that you may have difficulties because of your insistence on extremely high standards. You are apt to appear authoritarian, intolerant, and a little self-righteous. It is hard for others to live up to your standards of expectation. Many of your considerable talents for balancing situations are used with a negative emphasis. Avoid creating friction in relationships and strive for harmony. You must learn that your diplomatic approach will only be appreciated if others feel that their needs are met, their desires understood, their point of view respected. You must learn to allow others to set their own pace, make their own rules. This challenge requires learning unconditional love and acceptance." (http://www.astrology-numerology.com/num-challenges.html#6) Again, Severus shows parts of both challenges, but I think Challenge 6 is a better fit for what we've seen of him so far.

Again, I'll continue in another post....

Attempt at Numerology Reading for Severus Snape, part 1

2006-08-11T14:10:00.000-06:00

We don't know Snape's middle name (perhaps it is Tobias, after his father), and we can only narrow his birth year down to either 1959 or 1960. 1960 seems best, since he entered Hogwarts the same year as the Mauraders, which was 1971. This would have Severus entering Hogwarts when he was 11, not 12.

However, I'll assess for both birthdates...

Following the same rules we did with the reading for Harry Potter, we get these values:

Life Path = 8 (1/9/1960, 1+9+7=17->8)

"The Life Path 8 suggests that you entered this plane armed to lead, direct, organize and govern. You are very ambitious and goal-oriented. You will want to use your ambitions, your organizational ability, and your efficient approach to carve a satisfying niche for yourself. If you are a positive 8 you are endowed with tremendous potential for conceiving far-reaching schemes and ideas, and also possessing the tenacity and independence to follow them through to completion. In short, you were born to be an executive.You know how to manage yourself and your environment. Your ability to judge the character and potential of the people around you is an asset used to your advantage. A large part of your success in life comes from how hard you work. This Life Path is the most prone to producing workaholics. But your ability to spot good people and engage them in your endeavors is a special trait not to be overlooked. There is an inspirational quality in your makeup which allows you to become a great leader. You are practical and steady in your pursuit of major objectives, and you have the courage of your convictions when it comes to taking the necessary chances to get ahead.With the Life Path of the number 8 you are focused on learning the satisfactions to be found in the material world. The Life Path 8 produces many powerful, confident and materially successful people. Most of your concerns involve money and learning of the power that comes with its proper manipulation.This Life Path is perhaps the one that is the most concerned with and desirous of status as an ultimate measure of success. You want to be recognized for your hard work and achievements. The attainment of honors and acceptance into the club of executive leadership is all important. For this, you may find yourself very well suited to compete in the business world or in the political arena.In relationships, you are frank, honest, and steadfast. You may be very much in love, but watch that you are not too busy and preoccupied to show it. Being the lavish provider is not always an adequate substitute for showing your devotion and affection in more personal ways. You have a great need for close personal relationships to mitigate and somehow soften your nature. You must find the time for love and keep it as an important project in your life.The negative 8 can be dictatorial and often suppresses the enthusiasm and efforts of fellow member of the environment. Often, the strength of their own personality excludes close feelings for other people with whom they come in contact. Material gains and rewards often become issues of utmost importance, even to the neglect of family, home and peace of mind. Dedication to success can become an obsession. Emotional feelings are often suppressed by the negative 8, resulting in isolation and loneliness. All Life Path 8 people must avoid discounting the opinions of others." (http://www.astrology-numerology.com/num-lifepath.html#lp8) So, we can see Severus lives mostly in the negative aspects of Life Path 8.

or Life Path = 7 (1/9/1959, 1+9+6=16->7)

"The Life Path 7 suggests that you entered this plane with a gift for investigation, analysis, and keen observation. You are a thinker of the first order. You evaluate situations very quickly, and with amazing accuracy. As a result, you are thorough and complete in your work, the perfectionist who expects everyone else to meet a high standard of performance, too.
A Life Path 7 person is a peaceful and affectionate soul. But you guard your connection to people carefully. It's easy for you to detect deception and recognize insincere people, and you avoid them. You aren't one to have a wide circle of friends, but once you accept someone as a friend, it's for life. It's as if you must get to know someone a lot better before you allow the wall surrounding you to be penetrated. Chances are you are a very charming and refined individual with great poise and a quick wit. Nonetheless, there is an exclusiveness about you. You probably aren't a very social person. Your reserve is often taken to be aloofness, but actually, it's not that at all. It is merely a cover up for your basic feeling of insecurity. There's no rush, It takes time for you to warm up to new friends. Clubs and organizations hold little interest for you; you are not a joiner.
You actually like being alone and away from the hustle and bustle of modern life. In many ways, you would have fit in better in much earlier times when the pace of life was less hectic. You need a good deal of quiet time to be with your own inner thoughts and dreams. You dislike crowds, noise, distractions, and confusion.
The overwhelming strength of the number 7 is reflected in the depth of thinking that is shown; you will garner knowledge from practically every source that you find. Intellectual, scientific, and studious, you don't accept a premise until you have dissected the subject and arrived at your own independent conclusion.
This is a very spiritual number and it often denotes a sort of spiritual wisdom that becomes apparent at a fairly early age. A built in inner guide providing a strong sense of intuition may set you up as being a law unto yourself. Whatever spiritual position you take, whether traditional or bizarre, you will cling to it with fervor. Once you have decided an issue, it is almost impossible to get you to revisit the question. Adaptability is not your style, and change for you is a rarity.
You rely heavily on your experiences and your intuition, rather than accepting advice from someone. Your hunches usually prove to be very accurate, and knowing this, you follow the directions they seem to guide.
In the most negative use of the 7 energies, you can become very pessimistic, lackadaisical, quarrelsome, and secretive. A Life Path 7 individual who is not living life fully and gaining through experiences, is a hard person to live with because of a serious lack of consideration for others. There is such a negative attitude. Indeed, operating on the negative side of the 7 can produce a very selfish and spoiled individual and living with one can be a challenge. This may be why some 7s actually prefer living alone. If you have any of the negative traits they are very difficult to get rid of because you tend to feel that the world really does owe you a living or that in some way you are not being fairly treated.
Fortunately, the negative 7 is not the typical 7, at least not without some mitigating positive traits. This number is one that seems to have some major shifts from highs to lows. Stability in feelings may be elusive for you." (http://www.astrology-numerology.com/num-lifepath.html#lp7) Either way, he's mostly showing the negative traits.

Now let's say his name is Severus Tobias Snape, since it's common for male Potterverse characters to end up with a male relative's first name as the middle name. Again, following the rules as before, we get:

Destiny = 5 (1+3+1)

"The number 5 Destiny suggests that the direction of growth in your lifetime will be toward becoming a harbinger of change, freedom, and progressive thought and action. The number 5 Destiny potentially endows you with the wonderful characteristic of multi-talents and versatility. You must develop in ways allowing you to do so many things well. The tone of the number 5 is the constructive use of freedom, and in your drive to attain this freedom, you must be the master of adaptability and change.
As you mature, you must become good at presenting ideas and knowing how to approach people to get what you want. Naturally, this will give you an edge in any sort of selling game and spells easy success when it comes to working with people in most jobs. Whatever you do, you have the capacity to be clever, analytical, and a very quick thinker.
You must learn to accept changes as they come along and avoid clinging to the outdated. Avoid rebellion, and focus on enlightenment and progression thinking that will benefit mankind. You life is broadened by gaining an understanding and an appreciation of all kinds of people.
The Destiny 5 will be welcome in many varied professional environments. The public sector is a natural for you because you must administer to all peoples. The media, advertising, promotion, publicity, all types of selling, and entertainment are all potential fields that may interest you. Settling on a single career may not be in the cards for you, as you are in a continuous state of flux brought by constantly changing interests.
If there is too much of the 5 energy in your makeup or if you develop negatively, the negative side of the number may appear. Your restless and impatient attitude may keep you from staying with any project for too long. Sometimes you can be erratic and scatter yourself and your energies. You have a hard time keeping regular office hours and maintaining any sort of a routine. As clever as you are, you may have a tendency to make the same mistakes over and over again. Much of your response to such errors is glib reaction rather that thoughtful application." (http://www.astrology-numerology.com/num-expression.html#5)

Again accepting Tobias as the middle name, we can calculate the Soul Urge.

Soul Urge = 8 (13+16+6=35->8)

"The Soul Urge or as it is sometimes called, the heart's desire, is an important core influence in numerology. However, the Soul Urge falls well below the Lifepath (the birth date number) and Destiny (the full birth name) numbers in importance, because this is a number that you don't expose overtly to those around you. It is your inner cravings, likes and dislikes, which are usually kept rather private. This number denotes what you value most regardless of Life Path (what you are from birth) and expression (what you will become in life). This influence suggests the nature that drives you in your daily life. Satisfying the demands of the Soul Urge will give you a sense of inner peace and contentment." (http://www.astrology-numerology.com/num-soulurge.html)
"With an 8 Soul Urge, you harbor a focused drive to achieve in a material sense and to gain a position of authority and power. Happiness is financial freedom, a well establshed business or, at least, a very secure job. Status in your environment produces fulfillment." (http://www.astrology-numerology.com/num-soulurge.html#8)

Sticking with Tobias as the middle name,

Inner Dreams = 6 (15+5+13=33->6)

"The sum of the consonants in your name relates a secret dream, your inner desires, or maybe even fantasies. As a modifier, this aspect of your chart may be considered less important than many of the others because often these remote and deep-seated dreams are never realized. Sometimes, however, when this number has a relationship to another core number, the dream can come true. Strangely, this number is also associated with your personality or how people see you on first meetings. This number may be so strong in your subconscious that you even project the trait as a personality mask....6...You dream of guiding and fostering the perfect family in the perfect home. You crave the devotion from offspring and a loving spouse. You picture yourself in the center of a successful domestic unit." (http://www.astrology-numerology.com/num-innerdreams.html) It's not only unlikely to come true, it's also not too strong of a fantasy. Perhaps he wishes his own childhood had been better, with a more-supportive father.

Birthday = 9 (regardless of birth year)

"The birthday is a supporting influence added to the Life Path. Think of it as a modifier to the Life Path. These are traits that you brought into this life much as with the more important and dominating traits shown by the Life Path. Here is your birthday and the modifying traits shown by it:
9
Your birth on the 9th day of the month adds a tone of idealism and humanitarianism to your nature. You become one who can work easily with people because you are broadminded, tolerant and generous. You are ever sensitive to others' needs and feelings, and even if the other numbers in your core makeup don't show it, you are very sympathetic and compassionate. Your feeling run deep and you often find yourself in dramatically charged situations. This 9 energy always tends to give more that it gets." (http://www.astrology-numerology.com/num-birthdays.html) This would speak very positively of Snape...much more positively than even I would normally credit him.

I'll continue this reading in another post, so "stay tuned"....

Upcoming posts....

2006-08-11T09:56:00.000-06:00

Soon I will post on PS/SS chapter 4, plus I'm working on some more Numerology Readings (though some of them will be partials because info is missing...either the complete name or the birthday).

Check again soon!

"Official" Additional Ways to Ponder...Runes and Tarot

2006-08-03T16:22:00.000-06:00

I have to officially add a new category to my chapter-by-chapter observations...Runes and Tarot cards. Though not every chapter will have a post on Tarot or Runes, many will.

For example, Harry's scar is Sigel/Sigil or Sowulo/Sowelo, a protection rune that signifies the sun/sunlight, the sun's energy, wholeness, life's energy, health, good fortune, and happiness. It's also associated with Baldur, patron of light and innocence.

Already I know I'll later need to address Eolh/Algiz, Thorn/Thurisaz, Gyfu/Gebo, Ger/Jera, Tiw/Teiwaz, Yr/Eihwaz, Eh/Ehwaz, Nyd/Nauthiz, Daeg/Dagaz, and Lagu/Laguz.

Not only that, I also see I'll be making frequent mention of certain Tarot cards, particularly The Hanged Man and The Tower.

PS/SS:CH3:FILLING IN THE TIME GAP

2006-08-02T16:29:00.000-06:00

Every once in a while we'll get a glimpse or a mention of something that happened during the nine years and some-odd months that were skipped between 1981 and 1991.

For Harry's 10th birthday he received a coat hanger and a pair of old socks once belonging to Vernon.

PS/SS:CH3:QUESTIONS

2006-08-02T16:28:00.000-06:00

Just some odd questions, with varying degrees of importance....

Did Harry miss any school because of his punishment, or was he allowed out of the cupboard to attend school?
What situation caused Mrs. Figg to trip over one of her cats?
How does McGonagall know where Harry sleeps? Uncle Vernon says, "watching -- spying -- might be following us", but how? Does this have anything to do with spiders?
What are the books in Dudley's second room?
What's the story on the repaired alarm clock?
Why does Vernon have to stay home all day just to board up a mail slot?
Why "Tiptoe Through the Tulips"?
Who is the wizard acting as milkman? I mean, a Muggle wouldn't have delivered eggs through the livingroom window.
How did Vernon dispose of all the letters received at the hotel?
How is the toothless old man with the "rather wicked grin"? Is he Muggle or wizarding?
How did the Dursleys get off the rock, since Hagrid took the boat?

PS/SS:CH3:ITEMS OF INTEREST

2006-08-02T09:16:00.000-06:00

This is a long list...perhaps I could leave out the stuff in Dudley's second room -- yeah right! When I first read this chapter I paid little attention to the things Harry found in Dudley's second room. However, now that we've seen a similar room in HBP (the storage use in the RoR), and how intesting the stuff in there is...well, I decided that we should consider what Harry finds here. Something might be useful later...perhaps there is a subtle clue mixed in with all the mess.

I also thought about leaving out descriptions of all the places where Vernon stops the car, but I think we're not just looking at Vernon's madness here. I see symbolic meanings in the choices he's made, though it's Jo who knows the meaning, not Vernon....

Perhaps I could leave out descriptions of the trip (travelling) to the shack, but considering the events of HBP (it involved a boat and a small area of land surrounded by a lake), I decided to leave them in.

Dudley runs into Mrs. Figg with his new bike - Poor Mrs. Figg; she hadn't quite recovered from breaking her leg....
broken video camera - Dudley has already destroyed it
broken remote control airplane - again, Dudley has already destroyed it
broken (1st) TV set - ditto. Dudley took his anger out on the poor TV when one of his shows was cancelled. I wonder if, in her backstory, she had decided what show it should be.
working tank - Does Jo mean the tank still works, or does she just mean the tank was designed to be functional/rideable? Perhaps this is one tough toy Dudley could not damage, though he caused damage with it. Males me wonder...what was the outcome of Dudley running over the neighbor's dog?
large birdcage - Dudley once owned a parrot, and he traded it for an air rifle. It's interesting that the RoR storage room also has at least one large cage in it, but I'll discuss what once occupied that cage later....
real air rifle - destroyed, of course...and by Dudley's arse, no less.
old chocolate cake - Is Mrs. Figg really serving him nasty old cake, or is there something special about this cake? Is it important that it's chocolate?
maroon tailcoats - Later we'll come to also associate this color with Ronald Weasley, except Ron hates maroon, while Dudley seems quite proud of his new uniform. Maroon is a mixture of brown and purple, though the resulting color is considered a dark red. I wondered what could be symbolic about maroon, and then I found this:
(Q) In Bugs Bunny cartoons, the "wascally wabbit" sometimes refers to stupid people as "maroons," as in "What a maroon!" I'm wondering if this put-down has a racist genesis and what, if anything, it has to do with being 'marooned' on a desert island.
(&A) It is neither racist nor related to maroon 'to abandon' (though this word does originally refer to fugitive slaves), except through their identical pronunciation.
The word maroon 'an foolish or obnoxious person' is simply a jocular mispronunciation of moron. It is probably reinforced by the existence of maroon 'abandon' and maroon 'brownish red color' (which are themselves unrelated, by the way, giving us three different unrelated maroons). (quoting http://www.randomhouse.com/wotd/index.pperl?date=19970731)
Is Jo using it in the same sense that Bugs Bunny means? "Foolish or obnoxious person" surely describes Dudley well.
orange knickerbockers - knickerbockers are like short trousers, long shorts, britches, hosen.... Orange is a really bright color; some people would consider orange a bit obnoxious-looking. Orange, as a color, has also become a symbol for political opposition. However, "in English heraldry, orange denotes strength, honour, generosity, and prosperity." (www.wikipedia.org) According to http://opossumsally.homestead.com/color.html, orange is also an appetite stimulant, as if Dudley needs to stimulate his appetite! http://www.coloracademy.co.uk/Subjects/Symbolism/Symbolism.htm had this to say about orange in heraldry: "Orange signifies vitality, single-mindedness, and self-centred determination. Owing to its possible confusion with red, vivid orange is absent in heraldry, and replaced by brownish-orange or tawny, associated with topaz, and symbolising strength and endurance." Add to this the following:
Color: Orange
Element: Water
2nd Chakra: Sacral - Svadhisthana - Sexuality & Creativity
Happiness - Courageous - Successful
Lower abdomen to navel
When this chakra is blocked we experience fear, anxiety, attachments to material things, a lack of compassion, and distrust. Orange is the color of joy and creativity and promotes a general sense of wellness. It provides emotional energy that you can give to others, including compassion, passion and genuine warmth.
A balance of orange will let a person handle the ups and downs of life with finesse, quickly recovering from disappointments or wounded heart or pride. Out Going, Busy, Cheerful and Bright, stimulates enthusiasm and creativity.
Too much ORANGE and we become self-centered and self serving, disregarding the needs of others. Pride, and arrogance can will push us out of balance.
Too little ORANGE and we lose our motivation, our self esteem suffers, and we have a tendency to isolate or become rebellious. (quoting http://www.gemstonegifts.com/Colors/orange.htm)
I think we can say that Dudley has too much orange. He is self-centered, preoccupied with material things, and gluttonous.
flat straw hat/boater - the boater is a rather dressy straw hat made popular with the advent of the yachting craze.
Smelting stick - for info on Smelting, see my post about names in ch. 3. It's a bit like a walking stick. However, instead of being used for balance (to steady oneself, etc.) it's used to coerce people...basically torture them into doing as you say. Vernon says it will help prepare Dudley for the world, life as an adult. Smeltings is churning out generation after generation of "Vernon Dursley"s into the world. This stick, used to hit people, also reminds me of Punch from the puppet show Punch and Judy. (odd musing: isn't there a Hangman in the Punch and Judy show?)
gray clothes for Stonewall High - Again, see my ch. 3 names post about Stonewall. Gray is an appropriate color...very drab.
emerald green ink - Interesting that McGonagall uses green ink, not red ink.
purple wax seal - wax seals are generally associated with official business and formal, somewhat stuffy letter-writing practices. Purple is usually associated with royalty, though Jo often juxtaposes purple and signs of old age, in turn juxtaposed with possession of great power. More on this later, particularly in later discussions of Dumbledore and Ollivander.
"ate a funny whelk" - "whelk1 n. Any of various large, mostly edible marine snails of the family Buccinidae, having a pointed, spiral shell, especially Buccinum undatum, which is commonly eaten in Europe. whelk2 n. An inflamed swelling, such as a pimple or pustule." (www.dictionary.com) Well, I'll assume we're talking about the large marine snail.
more spiders - why in the second bedroom? I know spiders can be anywhere in a house, but why does Jo kep mentioning spiders where Harry sleeps? Is it because this bedroom (because of it's mess) and that cupboard under the stairs (because it would be Harry's responsibility) didn't get cleaned by Petunia? Or are those spiders following him?
Dudley's tortoise - we didn't know Dudley had ever had a pet until this chapter. Petunia doesn't seem too fond of animals, but if the tortoise is always kept in the greenhouse, perhaps Petunia is able to handle it. This makes me wonder how Dudley ended up with a bird or a tortoise in the first place. Were they gifts from Vernon and Petunia, or had they been due to previous trades with other kids?
the Dursleys' greenhouse - we didn't know they had one until now. Is there anything interesting growing in the greenhouse? Who tends to it...Petunia or Vernon? Actually, just because they have a greenhouse doesn't mean they have anything growing there....
alarm clock - an alarm clock we didn't know about was broken...and now it's been repaired.... Is this one of Dudley's destroyed possessions that he dumped in the second bedroom, and is Harry the person who repairs it? My guess is "yes" to both questions. I think this is a very subtle clue that Harry is going to have to deal with "broken time" again later, perhaps a broken time-turner...
Vernon boarded up the mailslot and the cracks around doors - Boarding up the mailslot is a "reasonable" action for a Muggle. However, boarding up cracks around doors...he's really losing it now. Hence the nice joke about fruitcake.
"Tiptoe Through the Tulips" - god bless Tiny Tim (hehe) ;) Anyway, this song is such an odd choice, particularly for someone who dislikes dreams and imagination like Vernon. I'm not sure what Jo is saying here. Below are the lyrics:
"Tiptoe through the window/By the window, that is where I'll be/Come tiptoe through the tulips with me/Oh, tiptoe from the garden/By the garden of the willow tree/And tiptoe through the tulips with me/Knee deep in flowers we'll stray/We'll keep the showers away/And if I kiss you in the garden, in the moonlight/Will you pardon me?/And tiptoe through the tulips with me"
piece of fruitcake - this is choice. It's obviously meant as a breakfast food, something Petunia means for Vernon to eat, but Vernon is so manic about the Hogwarts letters that he forgets what's in his hand...thinks he's holding a hammer, so he hits the nail head with a piece of fruitcake while he's talking about how weird the wizarding people are...how their minds work in strange ways....
Vernon spreading marmalade on his newspapers - Vernon's "lost it".
Vernon pulling out his mustache/half a mustache - ditto.
television, TV, and computer...sports bag - Dudley's obsession with material possessions, his desire for instant gratification...and the sports bag that he owns even though he currently participates in no sports or other regular physical activity (except pummeling Harry).
"gloomy-looking hotel" - this is the Railway Hotel...a non-existant (at least not in the UK) hotel in a town that doesn't exist.
"big city" - It's important Jo doesn't say what big city Cokeworth should be near. If she did she might get hate mail from the towns surrounding whatever city she named. There are so many coal mines dotting the British isles that it might not matter...it could be Anywhere, UK.
"twin beds and damp, musty sheets" - yucky. Reminds me of a Best Western I once stayed at in Lubbock, TX.... I doubt that Petunia and Vernon's room was any better. How did Petunia cope with all this?
windowsill - windows are a running bit in the septology...along with glass, glasses/specs, mirrors, other reflective surfaces, even picture frames.
"stale cornflakes and cold tinned tomatoes on toast" - mmm, yummy. Not.
*"middle of a forest"* - in the history of Hogwarts (it's founders) forests are associated with Griffindor. The element is fire.
*"middle of a plowed field"* - This one would represent Hufflepuff, the element being earth.
*"halfway across a suspension bridge"* - The suspension bridge would go over water, so this is the reference to Slytherin and the water element.
*"top of a multilevel parking garage"* - They are symbolically up in the air, so this represents Ravenclaw and the air element.
coat hanger and a "pair of Uncle Vernon's old socks" for Harry's 10th birthday - The Dursleys sure don't shower Harry with gifts like they do for Dudley, do they?
"long, thin package" - turns out later (ch. 4) to contain a rifle.
"large rock way out at sea" - like the land in the center of the underground lake in HBP cave scene....
"most miserable little shack" - what's the purpose of having a shack way out here? Was it used for seaweed gatherers?
"old rowboat" - makes me think of the boat in the HBP cave scene....
"iron gray water" - one of those "base" metals.... This also makes me think of the HBP cave scene.
rations of bananas and chips/crisps - Well, Vernon has gone "bananas". Just like the potato, the banana is a staple starch crop, and it can be prepared in much the same way (mashed, sliced, turned into chips, etc.) "Nutritionally one green cooking banana has about the same nutritional and calorie content as one potato." (http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Banana/id/422679) Interesting note about potatoes:
In the opinion of the German writer Günter Grass, the potato, because it can be grown quickly and cheaply, liberated the masses from hunger, resulted in the development of a sturdier working class and released more people from farm work for nineteenth century factories. The factories led to the development of a strong labouring class, which democratized Europe, he believes. (quoting http://www.fao.org/docrep/008/a0015e/a0015e03.htm)
It's amazing how much the cheap and lowly potato has altered modern society....
I also found this interesting, even though I doubt Jo did much research in Native American symbols: "Ancient Spiritual Symbolism of the Cherokee Clans. Ah-ni-ga-to-ge-wi or Wild Potato Clan represented the material plane of earth or physical matter (earth)." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherokee_Clans) Again we are associating the Dursleys with the material plane.... And consider the phrase "couch potato".
http://www.brilliantdreams.com/dream-dictionary/dream-dictionary-p.htm has this to say about potato symbols in dreams: "To see potatoes in your dream, symbolizes laziness and/or stupidity. To see or eat mashed potatoes in your dream, suggests that you are experiencing concerns over financial matters." and "To see or eat potato chips in your dream, symbolizes your overindulgent behaviour."
Once again we associate potatoes with laziness, stupidity, material wealth (or the lack thereof), and overindulgence. Overall, we can say that Vernon has no concept of proper nutrition; he buys cheap yet somewhat indulgent foods that provide little more than starch (and fat from oil used to fry the chips) -- something Dudley and Vernon could seriously do without.
trying to make fire with chip bags - Vernon doesn't get the "survival badge". He's completely inept.
the shack "smelled strongly of seaweed" - seaweed is a symbol for luck, good wishes, and wealth.
the shack's "filthy windows" - Besides the running bit about windows, etc., how did Petunia cope with all the dirt and grime? Perhaps her cleaning habits are specific to #4 Privet Drive. I mean, maybe she's only anal about her home (for whatever reason) and away from home she's "okay" with dirt, dust, and grime....
"a few moldy blankets", "moth-eaten sofa" , and "lumpy bed" - just descriptive of how miserable the shack is.
"softest bit of floor" and "thinnest, most ragged blanket" - just descriptive of how the Dursleys treat Harry.
"lighted dial of Dudley's watch" - We must pay attention to watches! Dumbledore's "golden" pocket watch, Dudley's gold watch with the lighted dial...and later the hourglass time-turner and Ron's watch...even the watch on JKR's website....

PS/SS:CH3:NUMBERS AND NUMEROLOGY

2006-07-27T14:08:00.000-06:00

3 pieces of mail - it's bills and a letter for Harry. Looks like the Dursleys don't get much mail. Perhaps they are not too popular?
a letter for Harry (1) - It's only one because McGonagall hopes Harry will get the letter the first time, like most accepted children.
alarm went of at 6 o'clock a.m. - it's half of 12 anyway...
another letter for Harry - Perhaps the first got misplaced at the Dursley's house? I think McGonagall is trying to be patient.
another 3 letters for Harry - 1 x 3. McGonagall is getting worried....
12 letters for Harry - 3 x 4. 12 is one of those all-important numbers in this series.
24 letters for Harry... - 2 x 3 x 4 or 12 x 2. Any multiple of 12 is to be considered important. McGonagall might be using "simple" multiplication spells for so quickly producing these letters now...or something.
...inside 2 dozen eggs (24, or 12 x 2), the letters are shredded in a food processor - McGonagall is getting quite desperate now!
30 or 40 letters - how about 36? That would be 12 x 3...another multiple of 12. Otherwise it really could be 40, in which case it would be seen as a bad omen, 40 being traditionally associated with bad luck or disasterous events (think 40 days and 40 nights of rain).
Dudley missed 5 television programs - the numbers nine and five are often used with the Durselys. From http://www.astrology-numerology.com/numerology.html, we get "5 Negative Traits: Restless, discontent, edgy temperament and speech, dissatisfaction, too many hasty decisions, impatience, lacking in application." Dudley's behavior is almost perfectly described for this scene.
Room 17 at the hotel - we later find out 17 is the coming-of-age in the wizarding world. The TWT champions are "supposed" to be 17 to participate. You have to be 17 to get you apparation license.
a hundred letters - It's a nice even number. The hotel owner is approximating. I wonder if the real number is 144....
How many letters actually got delivered to the house the day they left? - Harry's just guessing at the amount here. He goes from the shack on the rock to Diagon Alley, so he never gets to see how many letters were really delivered. 144? 288?
Harry's 11th birthday - from http://www.astrology-numerology.com/num-keywords.html, we get "11 See number 2. Spirituality is emphasized more, but in essence, the 2 traits, positive and negative apply" and "2 Positive Traits: Cooperation, adaptability, considerate of others, sensitive to the needs of others, partnering, an arbiter or mediator, modest, sincere, spiritually influenced, a diplomat. 2 Negative Traits: Shyness, timidity, fear, self-consciousness, drown in detail, depression."
4 bags of chips - There happen to be four of them. I'm surprised Vernon not only got food for Harry but that he got the same amount for Harry as he did for himself, Petunia, and especially Dudley.
4 bananas - ditto as for the bags of chips
"low rolls of thunder that started near midnight" - 12 midnight. 12's are so closely associated with time, and Jo uses 12's in context with travel as well...makes me think of planes of reality and space, levels, astral projection.... I have a feeling 12 is particularly important in time travel, and also in apparation...anything that disrupts the space-time continuum.
"10 minutes' time" - since 10 reduces to 1 (in numerology) and 1 is the begining, then 10 is a good starting point for a countdown....
"five minutes to go"
"four minutes to go"
"three minutes to go"
"two minutes to go"
"one minute to go...
"...and he'd be eleven" - ditto what I said about 11 above.
"thirty seconds...twenty...ten...nine"
"three...two...one"
a bang on the door at the stroke of midnight - again, 12 midnight. Midnight, near midnight, even near 12 noon...Jo often uses these times for major travelling experiences. The distance travelled at these times isn't as important as who's travelling at these times, and to where. We'll have to keep an eye on arrival and departure times.

PS/SS:CH3:MEANINGS OF NAMES

2006-07-27T11:36:00.000-06:00

Dennis - "Medieval vernacular form of the Greek name Dionysios". (www.ancestry.com)
Malcolm - "Anglicized form of the Gaelic name Mael Coluim “devotee of St Columba”. Columba, whose name means “dove” in Latin, was a 6th-century monk of Irish origin who played a leading part in the conversion to Christianity of Scotland and northern England" (www.ancestry.com).
Gordon - "from the Scottish surname, which is derived from a placename. It is a matter of dispute whether it referred originally to the Gordon in Berwickshire or to a similarly named place in Normandy" (www.ancestry.com). We can add "The boy's name Gordon is pronounced GORD-en. It is of Old English and Gaelic origin, and its meaning is 'large fortification.' Also possibly a place name meaning 'hill near meadows' or 'triangular hill.' Name of one of the great Scottish clans." (www.thinkbabynames)
Smeltings - to "smelt" is to "melt or fuse (ores) in order to separate the metallic constituents. To melt or fuse. Used of ores." (www.dictionary.com) Vernon wants his alma mater to reinforce all the nonesense he's been teaching Dudley. Smeltings would mold Dudley into the man Vernon wants him to be.
Stonewall High - to "stonewall" means to "1: obstruct or hinder any discussion... 2: engage in delaying tactics or refuse to cooperate" (www.dictionary.com). It can easily be said that the Dursleys' choice of school for Harry shows their attitude towards him and his wizarding aptitude. They want to squash the wizard out of him, and he's not supposed to ask them any questions.
Isle of Wight - "island county (1991 pop. 126,600), 147 sq mi (381 sq km), S England, across the Solent and Spithead channels from Hampshire. The administrative center is Newport. The island is 23 mi (37 km) long from the eastern Foreland to the Needles (detached chalk formations at the western extremity) and 13 mi (21 km) wide. The Medina, which almost bisects the island, and the East Yar and the West Yar are the chief rivers. Numerous small streams on the southern coast have cut a series of picturesque gullies in the soft rock. The climate is mild, and the scenery, as a result of the contrasting geological strata, is varied. Quaint villages, such as Ventnor, and a beautiful coast line make the island a popular resort. Cowes is an important port. The island was conquered by the Romans in A.D. 43 and probably settled later by the Jutes. It was annexed to the kingdom of Wessex in 661 and Christianized c.700. The Isle of Wight was the headquarters of the Danes at the end of the 10th cent. William I bestowed the lordship of the island upon William Fitz-Osbern. In 1293 it returned permanently to the crown. At Carisbrooke Castle, now in ruins, King Charles I was imprisoned (1647–48). In 1890 the island was established as a separate administrative county. Queen Victoria's seaside home, Osborne House, is near the famous yachting center at Cowes. Parkhurst, a major British maximun security prison, is on the island." (www.reference.com) Also from the same site, "The island geography close to the densely populated south of England led to it gaining three prisons: Albany, Camphill and Parkhurst located outside Newport. Albany and Parkhurst were once among the few Category A prisons in the UK until they were downgraded in the 1990s. Parkhurst especially enjoyed notoriety as one of toughest jails in the British Isles and "hosted" many notable inmates, including the Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe and the Kray twins."
Little Whinging - to "whinge" is to "whine". It can also be spelled "Winje". Perhaps a little whinging is whining about little, petty things. Or perhaps it's that the inhabitants have little to whine about. http://www.randomhouse.com/wotd/index.pperl?date=19970909 says to whinge is "to complain in a peevish manner".
Surrey - Sure, it's a county in southeast England, but it's also "A four-wheeled horse-drawn pleasure carriage having two or four seats" (www.dictionary.com).
Railview Hotel - There is a Railview Hotel (and Hotel Railview) in India. "The Railview Hotel is a government-approved 2-Star Hotel. It is located Opposite Kollam railway station The hotel has one bar and one restaurant serving indian, chinese, tandoor, continental cuisines.The Railview Hotel has a total of 23 rooms. Hotel and room amenities include TV with 55 channels, STD/ISD at P&T rates, Internet and Email, Ample car parking space, Boating to tourist places, Sight seeing to tourist places etc..." (www.cruisingindia.com) Two stars sounds about right for our Railview Hotel in Cokeworth. I wonder if Jo has ever stayed at the Railview Hotel in Kollam, India.... There is also a Railway Hotel in Ghana. It's rating is listed simply as "budget". There is no list of amenities.... Even the non-existant hotel in Cokeworth is nicer than that....
Cokeworth - I wasn't sure what JKR was going for until I looked at the French translation. In the French version the town is called Carbone-les-mines. And then I remembered, coke is a carbon residue, specifically "The solid residue of impure carbon obtained from bituminous coal and other carbonaceous materials after removal of volatile material by destructive distillation. It is used as a fuel and in making steel." (www.dictionary.com) JKR constantly compares the Dursleys to the base metals. This is yet another reference to Alchemy, the alchemical process, and how the Dursleys will never be more than they are now because they refuse to change.
The Great Humberto - This is apparently supposed to be some magician Dudley's fond of watching...ironic considering he has the real thing living in his house.... the name Humberto is related to Hubert and Humbert. "The boy's name Hubert is pronounced HEW-bert. It is of Old German origin, and its meaning is 'bright or shining intellect'." (www.thinkbabynames.com) Also from this website, "The boy's name Humbert is of Old German origin, and its meaning is 'famous giant; renowned warrior.' Made famous by the narrator of Vladimir Nabokov's 'Lolita', Humbert Humbert. The Spanish variant Humberto (oom-BARE-toh) is also a saint's name."

Upadate on JKR's Watch: TFutureLITPast,P5 Revisited

2006-07-27T11:26:00.000-06:00

-> -> -> -> ->
I took these pics from the HP Lexicon....

What in the Potterverse is associated with blue light? Portkeys!

What's a portkey for? Travel!

And with a watch involved? Time-Travel?!

Back to my ponderings about Harry's next time-travelling adventure....

The Watch on JKR's Website

2006-07-20T17:45:00.000-06:00

A slight diversion from my chapter-by-chapter posts, I want to mention something about clues on JKR's website.

On the main page...her desk, there is a simple little wristwatch...well, it's not really so simple. Of course, most sleuths have seen the dial go nuts and activate a marble. If you click on the marble you can gain an "easter egg" to add to your scrapbook.

Well, I want to examine the watch.

When it starts acting weird, 12 hands appear, and all the number marks turn to dots. Some of the dots are bigger than others -- they vary in size...and they also vary in color.

I think the dots represent the nine planets, the sun, Earth's moon, and perhaps one other moon...maybe Io or another well-known moon of Jupiter. Otherwise they could all represent stars.

The twelve hands remind me of the 12 hands on Dumbledore's pocket watch. It also has planets on it.

Ron's watch is a bit different. It has symbols and stars, doesn't it? Also, there is no mention of hands, is there....?

It's interesting to think about.

PS/SS:CH2:QUESTIONS

2006-06-26T16:26:00.000-06:00

1] What makes Mrs. Figg's house smell like cabbage?

2] Harry was just thinking to himself, so how did the snake know to start communicating with Harry before Harry even started to talk to it? I mean, before Harry says word one to the snake, it's already winking at him and giving him "looks". How can a snake make a face that conveys any meaning plainly? Is the snake "reading" Harry's mind before Harry starts to talk to it?

3] Where is Sirius's flying motorcycle now? Where/how did Sirius get that motorcycle?

4] How did Harry end up with a pair of glasses when the Dursleys are so stingy regarding him? Yes, we see they have neglected to have them fixed, and I wonder if they aren't the ones who even bought them for him....

5] Is there more than meets the eye about the spiders that inhabit #4 Privet Drive?

6] The usual question: what's with Harry's green eyes that look just like his mom's?

PS/SS:CH2:MEMORY OF THE ATTACK

2006-06-22T12:53:00.000-06:00

Harry doesn't recall much of what happened that horrible night.

So far, all he remembers is a green flash of light.

PS/SS:CH2:FILLING IN THE TIME GAP

2006-06-20T08:29:00.000-06:00

There are about ten years between the events of "The Boy Who Lived" and "The Vanishing Glass", so what on earth has happened during these missing years?

Well, we know that Harry has been using accidental magic to get himself out of a few binds.

Here we learn about three major incidents that happened sometime before Dudley's 11th birthday:

1] Petunia chops Harry's hair off (except his bangs), and Harry goes to bed dreading how he'll be treated at school the next day. He wakes up the next morning to find that his hair has grown back to it's usual length and messy style. It seems that Harry had been inadvertently returning his hair to its usual length and style after every visit to the barber, but these instances were in no way as obvious as a whole head of hair growing back overnight.

2] Petunia tries to pass Dudley's old sweater (a hideous brown thing with orange puffballs) on to Harry, and Harry makes it shrink so small he couldn't possibly wear it.

3] Dudley and his pals chase Harry to pummel him (as usual) on the school grounds, and Harry jumps (levitates himself) onto the chimney of the school kitchens.

What other magic has Harry used before the incident with the glass at the reptile house (besides the events listed above)?

PS/SS:CH2:ITEMS OF INTEREST

2006-06-20T08:28:00.000-06:00

Again, some of these will undoubtedly prove fruitless. However, we might as well consider all of them....

brass no. 4 -- four has already been mentioned in NUMBERS AND NUMEROLOGY. However, is there anything to the fact the house number is made of brass? Brass house numbers are common...they are shiny...they are a poor replacement for gold....
the flying motorcycle -- gets mentioned twice in this chapter. Harry keeps dreaming about it, and Vernon is livid that Harry would suggest a motorcycle could fly...even in dreams. Not only are we seeing just how Vernon despises imagination, we're also getting really early doses of GW's Rule #1. Sirius's flying motorcycle will be important again in Book 7. I'm quite willing to bet on it. Actually, I wonder if it originally belonged to Regulus....
socks -- will be mentioned quite often throughout the septology. They tie in nicely with the running bits about knitting, patterns, and spinning. Socks seem to represent comfort and freedom.
spiders -- are everywhere! Harry gets used to them quite early because he sleeps in a cupboard that must be quite full of them. We'll be seeing lots more of them later.
the cupboard under the stairs -- is where Harry slept for several years. I wonder at what age they placed him in there....
Harry's round glasses (held together with Scotch tape) -- Did the Dursleys actually buy him glasses? Is the shape of them important? Is there something special about these glasses?
Harry's bright green eyes -- are very important. Actually, it's not so much simply that they are green, but we find out later they are "Lily's eyes".... It could be that it's all he has physically inheritted from Lily...the only thing people would notice about him that would remind them of Lily. However, there could be much more to it than that.
Dudley's racing bike -- Dudley immediately uses it to knock Mrs. Figg off her crutches.
Dudley's computer -- I just wish Harry could have had a go on it....
Dudley's second TV -- Dudley had destroyed the first one when a favorite show got cancelled.
Dudley's video camera -- which Dudley quickly breaks. Wonder if Harry can fix it....
Dudley's remote control airplane -- also gets destroyed rather quickly.
Dudley's 16 computer games -- any particular reason for 16?
Dudley's VCR -- man Dudley's spoiled rotten....
Dudley's gold wristwatch -- ditto. hmm...something that's actually gold, or at least we think it's gold...could be fake.
Mrs. Figg's cats -- well, we know she breeds cat-kneazle hybrids, and some of them become useful later.
chocolate ice cream vs. cheap lemon ice pop -- I just think it's interesting because of all the later references to chocolate and lemon (chocolate given out after dementor attacks, Dumbledore's sherbert lemons/lemon drops).
knickerbocker glory -- it's a decadent mix of ice cream, whipped cream, and fruit (especially strawberries). It's particularly amusing when we find out later that Dudley's Smeltings uniform includes knickerbockers. Dudley's getting increasingly too big for his, if you know what I mean. Perhaps if he'd stay away from the knickerbocker glory.... Oh, yeah, and there is a mix of petunia varieties also called "knickerbocker glory"....
strong, sweet tea -- tea is another "comfort" used throughout the series.
large brandy -- let's face it, there's a lot of boozing in the series. Alcohol is often imbibed as a calmative by various characters. We'll also see people using alcohol to get what they want from others.
the vanishing glass -- itself. Well, we know that Harry has released some uncontrolled magic, but it's very effective. At this point Harry still has no idea what's going on.
Dudley's old sweater/jumper -- is hideous! It's only of interest because of what Harry does to it, and I'll get to that in the next post....

PS/SS:CH2:NUMBERS AND NUMEROLOGY

2006-06-19T16:04:00.000-06:00

There just isn't much for "The Vanishing Glass", as far as numbers go....

Almost 10 years have passed between chapters one and two;
There's that brass no. 4 on the Dursleys' house;
Dudley counts 36 presents, 2 less than last year -- it's 3 x 12 and also reduces to 9;
Dudley really has 37 presents;
Petunia says she'll buy Dudley 2 more presents, giving him a total of 39 -- that's 3 x 13, reducing to 12 and ultimately reducing to 3;
Dudley received 16 computer games -- that reduces to 7.
Dudley's second TV.

PS/SS:CH2:MEANINGS OF NAMES

2006-06-19T14:49:00.000-06:00

Finally! I'm adding posts for Chapter 2 of PS/SS!

Arabella -- (We now know that Mrs. Figg's full name is Arabella Doreen Figg, so I'll go ahead and define her full name, not just "Figg".) From Latin orabilis meaning "yeilding to pray" or "invokable" suggesting a saint that could be invoked.
Doreen -- From Dora, from Greek doron meaning "gift". Might also be derived from Dora <--Dorothy (or Dorothea, "gift of god") <-- Devorgilla/Diorbhvail meaning "true testimony". A variant is Dorean, coming from Doireann, "daughter of Finn" or "daughter of the white/fair". Finn MacCumaill was a hero in Irish myth...known for wisdom and fairness.
Figg -- apparently this just refers to someone who lived near figs or sold figs. It's from Old French figue, from Latin ficus. Some say the fig tree was the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, instead of the apple. Ancient Hebrews viwed the fig tree as a symbol of peace and plenty. The fig tree has devoloped the symbolic meaning of divination, fertility, and love. Figwort is an herb, having the symbolic meaning of health and protection. So, what does all this say about Mrs. Figg? Well, she does seem to be a person Harry can rely on...can ask for help. She also gave important testimony at his trial after the dementor attack. The last name seems to have less to do with her importance to the plot than her given names, but maybe it's just to strengthen her role as a protector.
Tibbles -- One of Mrs. Figg's "cats". It's a variant of Tibbals, from the midieval names Tebald and Tibalt, from Theobald, apparently meaning "bold race" or "bold people". Is this the cat called Mistigri in the French translation? Mistigri is a version of poker (the card game) in which the joker is used. Here the joker is called mistigri or mistigris, which actually means "pussycat". Tigri means "tiger", so mistigri would possibly be diminutive, like "little tiger", and the cat might be striped like a tiger... a tabby cat. There also is a fuscia-colored variety of rose called Mistigri, but I'm not sure if this references a cat or a joker....
Snowy -- In the French translation, Snowy is called Patounet, which could be a portmanteau of "pas tous net" meaning "not very clear" or "not very distinct", so perhaps it's "fuzzy", like the white and black flecks we call "snow" on the TV when we flip to a station without a signal.... However, Patounet is a common nickname in French-speaking parts of the world and appears to be a pet name for Patrick. It's even the name of a store that sells swimwear in France... maybe because of a famous swimwear designer named Jean Patou. A type of dog, the Great Pyrenees, is also called Patou. Patou is from pastou, derived from the Old French pastre, meaning "Shepherd". These are mostly snow-white colored dogs (they have a bit of black fur on the neck) that live with the sheep herd and treat them as family. They often act as scouts as the herd moves around to graze. Perhaps JKR is saying Snowy is particularly good as a protector and scout, which works well with the fact Mrs. Figg raises cat/kneazle hybrids.
Tufty -- the adjective form of tuft. The French translation of Tufty became Mignonette, a woody herb that has dense, yet delicate-looking flower heads that smell quite spicy... possibly references to lace or coarse-ground pepper. These names suggest dense fur with a speckled pattern. This cat might also be a bit diminutive in size and affectionate. The relations to tuft and lace add Tufty/Mignonette to the running bits about knitting, knots, spinning, and patterns. www.reference.com says a variety of mignonette is used for yellow dye, and another variety's essential oils are used for perfumes.
Mr. Paws -- I wonder if this is a case of homonyms. Paws --> pause? Or is this a suggestion that Mr. Paws is clumsy (paw being an informal term for a large and clumsy hand)? Is it a reference to pawing something... attacking...treating something rudely, clumsily or with too much familiarity? Paw can also mean "mischievous". It's also a variant of pa, meaning "father". We also have the phrase "cat's paw"... a type of knot... a nebula in Scorpius...a pawn, puppet, or tool...and an instrument of torture. I think the French translation calls this cat Pompon, which would be what we often call a pompom, like the kind used by cheerleaders. This would make him a fluffy ball of fur. Perhaps he looks harmless but is a force to be reckoned with... or vise versa.
Marge/Marjorie -- Vernon's sister. It's ultimately from Hebrew margaron meaning "pearl".
Yvonne -- Petunia's friend. Feminine form of Yves, meaning "yew"!
Piers -- Dudley's best friend. From Peter meaning "stone" or "rock". A common variant is Pierce. Also, we can look at pier, which is basically a support or reinforcement structure, like a buttress or span of wall between windows...or a place to dock a boat.
Polkiss -- Polk comes from Gaelic poll, meaning "pool"or "pit". Kiss, as a surname, comes from Hungarian kis meaning "small", as in small stature. Remember that Piers Polkiss is a small kid who probably just holds victims for Dudley to beat up....
Majorca -- The largest island of the Balearic Islands. It's biggest industry is tourism.

Fun with Anagrams: (The) Half-Blood Prince

2006-06-15T16:07:00.000-06:00

Here I go again.... I thought this one would be interesting because of the whole "Lord Voldemort" idea. Hermione, Ron, and Harry seem to have this hangup that Snape wants to equate himself with royalty, just like Voldemort apparently does.

First, here are several for H-A-L-F-B-L-O-O-D-P-R-I-N-C-E:

PRO BLED ON A FILCH: well, he might have bled on Filch a bit after getting bit by Fluffy....
FLOP A RICH BLONDE: what he's doing/will do to Narcissa?
HE'LL CON A FOP BIRD: hey, don't call Fawkes a fop bird!
A BOLD LICHEN PROF.: some people might say he's a bit of a lichen
A NOBLE CHILD, PROF.: yes, Professor, Harry is a "noble" child, but apparently not as noble as Dumbledore, or is Dumbledore really that noble?
PROD A NOBLE FILCH: what's noble about Filch? how are you prodding him, Snape?
FIB, HELP CON A LORD: sweet!!
HELP ON OLD FABRIC: wha?
HE'LL DO CABIN PROF.: no, Snape, you better leave Hagrid alone!
DAB OLE FLINCH PRO: I saw your hand flinch during the Unbreakable Vow scene....
BAD OLE FLINCH PRO: ditto above....
BAD PROF., HELL ICON: oh, I hope not!
BLAND HEROIC FLOP: oh, I don't think he's bland....

And here are some oddities for T-H-E-H-A-L-F-B-L-O-O-D-P-R-I-N-C-E:

FRENCH HILLTOP ABODE: So, is that where you are going to hide now? (hehe)
LETCH FONDLER PHOBIA: er...sounds like a personal problem....
BELCHED FILTH ON A PRO: a pro what?
LO! A THIN PROF. BELCHED: it would be funny if he got hit with a jinx that made him cough up slugs like Ron did....

The Future Lies in the Past, part six: Backpacking Through the Past

2006-06-10T18:49:00.000-06:00

This will mostly discuss question # 1 of my time-travel theory.

Here's that question again:
1] Does he "travel" alone or does he take trusted friends with him, and does he travel light or take as many handy items as he can carry on his person?

I won't be able to say anything regarding whom he might take back in time with him (though Ron's nifty new watch and his decreasing helpfulness throughout the books suggests that it could be Ron's time to shine and come through for Harry in a big way), but I have some ideas of what Harry might take with him when he travels, and it won't be all that much.

a] wand (duh),
b] that Advanced Potions book Snape would like to get back. It could help deal with whatever is in that basin in the cave....,
c] two-way mirror, to contact Regulus A. Black,
d] perhaps the Pocket Sneakoscope (it wasn't faulty, it detected Peter Pettigrew),
e] Ron's watch or maybe Dumbledore's watch (if he gets hold of it somehow, like from Dumbledore's will?),
f] some galleons from his vault,
g] something he might find in his vault (or Black family vault) when he's preparing to travel....

I'll have to update here as I think of other items he might take.