Little Questions Answered v14

How did the Students get to Hogwarts all those centuries before the Steam Train was invented in the 1800's? On horseback or in coaches? And from where? What was at Kings Cross Station before it became a Railway Station? A coach terminus?
There is a whole thread about it. :)

Getting to Hogwarts Before Modern Transportation (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=115241)

Thanks Tenshi - so it wasn't a 'little' question after all..... I'll check out this thread now.

This was probably answered on the last page but I couldn't find it.:lol:

What did Hagrid mean when he said that he flew in SS? When he got to the hut on the rock Harry asked him how he got there and he said "flew"

I don't think we ever got an answer. Unless given in a post DH interview (I tend to forget them). Sirius' bike may be as good a guess as any. We used to have lots of speculation about it here (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=100856).

perhaps hagrid flew like voldemort did. Voldemort flew without a broom or anything in DH. Maybe Hagrid learned from dumbledore. Wasn't Dumbledore better at magic than Voldemort? He could've taught Hagrid.

Lily could fly to some extent too. In the playground she jumped off the swing and stayed up in the air way too long and landed way too lightly.

perhaps hagrid flew like voldemort did. Voldemort flew without a broom or anything in DH. Maybe Hagrid learned from dumbledore. Wasn't Dumbledore better at magic than Voldemort? He could've taught Hagrid.

Lily could fly to some extent too. In the playground she jumped off the swing and stayed up in the air way too long and landed way too lightly.I highly doubt that. The members of the Order seemed shocked to discover Voldemort could fly, and Hagrid is essentially an untrained wizard.

Lily didn't technically fly, either. She just floated a little longer than the average person. There was no real distance involved. Kind of like when Harry found himself on the roof in PS/SS.

Your right. I forgot that the order seemed shocked.

It was the only thing i could think of. If it had been Sirius's motorcycle then harry would've heard it. That only leaves brooms and thestrals as ways of flying. But Hagrid is too big for both of those.

Maybe it is one of those things that you are supposed to ponder and spend days and nights wondering what it means:lol::lol::lol:

It was the only thing i could think of. If it had been Sirius's motorcycle then harry would've heard it. That only leaves brooms and thestrals as ways of flying. But Hagrid is too big for both of those.

Maybe it is one of those things that you are supposed to ponder and spend days and nights wondering what it means:lol::lol::lol:
There's also buckbeak, or one of the species he was part of (i can never spell their name right). Once Hagrid landed, he could have sent him off back to wherever he came from (most likely Hogwarts itself).

I can never spell it either.:lol:

Wouldn't he be too heavy for buckbeak too?

Maybe he was lying to harry about flying to make the experience more thrilling.Though i cant see Hagrid lying to harry:lol:

Wouldn't he be too heavy for buckbeak too?

Didn't BuckBeak carry Harry , Hermione , & Sirius all at the same time ? that is quite a load so maybe Buckbeak and his kind can carry large loads without trouble .

Didn't BuckBeak carry Harry , Hermione , & Sirius all at the same time ? that is quite a load so maybe Buckbeak and his kind can carry large loads without trouble .

A discarded school broom was able to carry Ron, Hermione and Goyle (who had to weigh more than Sirius after he spent years wasting away in Azkaban), yet Hagrid is too heavy to ride a broom. So, I'm guessing Hagrid ways significantly more than two 13 year olds and Sirius. Still, the Hippogriff might be able to carry a load of the size of Hagrid. We just can't prove it.

It was the only thing i could think of. If it had been Sirius's motorcycle then harry would've heard it. That only leaves brooms and thestrals as ways of flying. But Hagrid is too big for both of those.
Thesterals aren't horses, I thought they were unusually strong, if I remeber it correct one Thesteral pulls a coach with six students. So IMO Hagrid could have used one of them. He could also use a coach, a bit smaler than the Beaubaton's pulled by more than one thesteral.
For all we know the motorbike doesn't have an invisibility booster, so Harry would have seen it. A discarded school broom was able to carry Ron, Hermione and Goyle (who had to weigh more than Sirius after he spent years wasting away in Azkaban), yet Hagrid is too heavy to ride a broom. IMO it's also possible that a broom would carry him but he doesn't feel comfortable on one (like Snape or Fleur) and uses his weight as an subterfuge.

I'm thinking... maybe Hagrid flew with the help of Fawkes. Fawkes is a phoenix and as Dumbledore say: "They can carry immensely heavy loads." No other means of transport could really support Hagrid's weight. So, it was either through Fawkes or a portkey.

Since PS/SS my favourite theory still is apparating (Hagrid vanished rather fastly after being in Diagon Alley with Harry and we know Dumbledore taught him some stuff). :lol:

But seriously - as long as we can't prove any of the speculations the Little Questions Answered thread actually is not the right place to discuss it. You might want to make up an own thread for it, but here we better move on to the next question. :)

I was re-reading PoA and wondered (when Marge was asking Vernon what James did for living) what James or Lily did before they went off hiding. Any ideas?

I was re-reading PoA and wondered (when Marge was asking Vernon what James did for living) what James or Lily did before they went off hiding. Any ideas?

I believe I read somewhere that James inherited a large sum of money from his father. Since he had all of that money neither he nor Lily needed well paying professions.

I was re-reading PoA and wondered (when Marge was asking Vernon what James did for living) what James or Lily did before they went off hiding. Any ideas? I think they where working for the Order. They didn't had to work because James' parents had left him all their money.

I think they where working for the Order. They didn't had to work because James' parents had left him all their money.
The only official quote I can find is this:
What did James and Lily Potter do when they were alive?

Well, I can't go into too much detail, because you're going to find out in future books. But James inherited plenty of money, so he didn't need a well-paid profession. You'll find out more about both Harry's parents later.
This statement was made before the release of OotP so I think it is safe to say they were working solely for the Order after they graduated from Hogwarts.

Thesterals aren't horses, I thought they were unusually strong, if I remeber it correct one Thesteral pulls a coach with six students. So IMO Hagrid could have used one of them. He could also use a coach, a bit smaler than the Beaubaton's pulled by more than one thesteral.

There is a HUGE difference between pulling something and actually supporting something. I can easily push my ford explorer on a flat surface, but if you asked me to try to lift it to where the wheels were off the ground, i would have no chance.

Another question would be, just how heavy is Hagrid? in DH the broom had supported 3 people who probably weighed 130,130, and lets just say 200 which would be 460(with a little more weight distribution then what Hagrid would produce), and Hagrid says he couldn't be supported by a broom, so one would have to guess that he weighs somewhere in the range of 600+.

For flying with a heavy load it would probably be the Abraxan winged horse, such as those used to lift the Beauxbatons carriage.

Another question would be, just how heavy is Hagrid?
In SS/PS, we learn Hagrid is "almost twice as tall as a normal man and at least five times as wide." The average British male is likely slightly shorter than six feet (1829 mm), so Hagrid would hover a little shy of twelve feet (3658 mm). The average British male weighs around 175 lbs. (around 80 kg), in which case Hagrid (five times as wide and twice as tall) would be, at a very rough estimate, would weigh approximately one thousand pounds (around 450 kg).

I apologize for inputting my speculation in this thread, but I believe Hagrid used his magical umbrella to fly to the hut on the rock.

I apologize for inputting my speculation in this thread, but I believe Hagrid used his magical umbrella to fly to the hut on the rock.

I know have a lovely image of Hagrid as Mary Poppins. Thank you. I shall be chuckling all day. It would be wonderful if the umbrella helped him to fly.

Little Question: How does the Room of Requirements contain the Fiendfyre? Is it possible that the explosion that killed Fred was somehow a result of Fiendfyre and RoR magic somehow violently mixing?

I apologize for inputting my speculation in this thread, but I believe Hagrid used his magical umbrella to fly to the hut on the rock. Rubeus Poppins :lol:
I like that!
Little Question: How does the Room of Requirements contain the Fiendfyre? Is it possible that the explosion that killed Fred was somehow a result of Fiendfyre and RoR magic somehow violently mixing? IMO the fire died down when there was nothing left to feed on, they wouldn't consider sending Ginny back, if they thought otherwise.
IMO the Come-and-Go-Room would not cause the walls to tremble down, if it was destroyed, and it's such a closed up place that I don't think it would let the fire out, it has stone walls after all and stone does not burn.
But you ask if it's possible, I couldn't say it's not. I was under the impression that it was a curse flying in through the window, that caused that explosion, but can't rule out that the RoR fire was the reason why it caused so much damage. It's also possible that the fire mixing with the RoR's magic made it ex- or implode.

I am confused about how the part of Voldemort's soul that was attached to Harry's soul was gotten rid of. I thought that because Harry had Lily's protection, when he was hit with the killing curse by Voldemort in the forest, he was able to survive, but Voldemort's soul (which was attached to his) was destroyed (since it doesn't have Lily's protection). I'm not sure that this is right, so could you please explain to me how Voldemort's soul was really gotten rid of?

Hello, :welcome: to CoS!

I think you had it pretty much right. The Avada Kedavra curse ripped the bit of Voldemort's soul out of Harry but left Harry's intact because of the blood protection (which was being kept alive by Voldemort's blood because he took blood from Harry to regenerate his body). There isn't really anything more to it. :)

Really, this kind of question should be in the Little Questions Answered (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=114821) thread. I'd imagine an Admin/Mod (never can remember the difference) will delete this thread. :)

Jess:rave::huff:

Was the curse on the ring put upon it by Voldemort? Did it have anything to do with the fact that it was a hallow? How did Voldemort put the curse on the ring (if in fact he was the one who did it)? Wouldn't there be be very powerful magic already on it? If the magic on it was very powerful how did Voldemort make it a horcrux?

Was the curse on the ring put upon it by Voldemort? Did it have anything to do with the fact that it was a hallow? How did Voldemort put the curse on the ring (if in fact he was the one who did it)? Wouldn't there be be very powerful magic already on it? If the magic on it was very powerful how did Voldemort make it a horcrux?
I'm not sure if it was ever really clarified, but I think we can assume that the curse was a backlash from the horcrux, maybe using the hallows power. Remember when Ron was destroying the locket with the sword and it fought back and tried to mesmerize him and keep him from destroying it. I'm sure the ring did something similar when Dumbledore was trying to destroy it, with the added problem of the rings' power being so tempting to him.

Since the ring was already associated with living death, the backlash cursed his hand in the same way. I don't think there's any indication that there was incompatible magic--both have to do with life and death in unnatural ways. So I can't see them 'fighting' each other. Again, I'm not sure if a better explanation was ever given, that's just a guess.

Why was Snape looking for Harry in Deathly Hallows? Anyone know? (During the final Battle in the Sacking of Severus Snape chapter)

Ok, but is Lily's protection always in Harry, as long as Voldemort is alive? And as long is it is in Harry, Voldemort can't kill him anyways, right? But, once Voldemort dies, then does the protection go away?

Oh! And thanks for the help and advice! I'm still getting use to the place.

Snape needed to pass on the information we saw in his memories. Snape was trying to make sure Harry had the information Dumbledore wanted passed to him.

There's one part toward the end of the series where Harry sees someone in the piece of the broken mirror that Sirius or Dumbledore gave to him (can't remember). Does anyone know who it was? I thought he saw either Sirius of Dumbledore, and if that is so, then doesn't that mean that one of them is still alive?

I have a question that popped into my head as I watched POA this afternoon..I was going to start a thread but I'm still a newbie and don't know where to put such question sooo.. :whistle:

Why would the twins give up such an important thing as The Marauder's Map? I mean, they are mischiefous(sp?)..wouldn't they still need it ( even though they know where all the exits out of the castle are) to see who is roaming around the halls especially Filch? I mean, Ok they felt sorry for Harry because he was missing out of Hogsmead but he could have just borrowed it..

There's one part toward the end of the series where Harry sees someone in the piece of the broken mirror that Sirius or Dumbledore gave to him (can't remember). Does anyone know who it was? I thought he saw either Sirius of Dumbledore, and if that is so, then doesn't that mean that one of them is still alive? I believe it was shown to be Aberforth near the end of DH. Don't have my book with me so I can't find the quote though.


Why would the twins give up such an important thing as The Marauder's Map? I mean, they are mischiefous(sp?)..wouldn't they still need it ( even though they know where all the exits out of the castle are) to see who is roaming around the halls especially Filch? I mean, Ok they felt sorry for Harry because he was missing out of Hogsmead but he could have just borrowed it..I thought I remembered JKR answering this question at one point, but I can't find it on accio-quote. I believe she said that Fred and George had already memorized all the secret passages and had gotten so much use out of it that they wanted to share the wealth. There's no fun in never having the chance of getting caught though! They saw his potential as a mischief maker I suppose :)

There's one part toward the end of the series where Harry sees someone in the piece of the broken mirror that Sirius or Dumbledore gave to him (can't remember). Does anyone know who it was? I thought he saw either Sirius of Dumbledore, and if that is so, then doesn't that mean that one of them is still alive?

It was Aberforth--Dumledore's brother. He bought Sirius' mirror from Mundungus. Dumbledore told him what it was.

I have a question that popped into my head as I watched POA this afternoon..I was going to start a thread but I'm still a newbie and don't know where to put such question sooo.. :whistle:

Why would the twins give up such an important thing as The Marauder's Map? I mean, they are mischiefous(sp?)..wouldn't they still need it ( even though they know where all the exits out of the castle are) to see who is roaming around the halls especially Filch? I mean, Ok they felt sorry for Harry because he was missing out of Hogsmead but he could have just borrowed it..

What Harry didn't realize was that in the library there was a magical copying machine, so the twins only gave him a copy of the original.

Actually the best explanation is simply that it was needed for the story. That is kind of lame, since answers should make sense within the story itself. Thematically, though, it is another case of Harry receiving help from another source. Though harry was the champion, the standard-bearer, who had to finally face down Voldy, he got there through help from myriad sources, and they all pulled together to rid the magical world of the evil of Voldy and his minions (good people are never 'minions', you know). The twins gave the explanation that they had already memorized the tunnels and passages, but more important is knowing where people are. It would have been a little better if they had only discovered that it shows the passages - regular and secret - but Harry had stumbled into the people-locator function by nervously muttering as he was close to the map 'who is in that room?' or something like that. Then their memories would have sufficed for what the twins thought the map could do.

Snape needed to pass on the information we saw in his memories. Snape was trying to make sure Harry had the information Dumbledore wanted passed to him.

Yeah, but he didn't know if Nagini was caged yet, right? Why would he be looking for Harry to pass on the memories if Nagini was not yet caged? And if he knew she was caged, wouldn't he give the memories prior to seeing Voldemort again? Maybe I should take this to the plot hole thread. :lol:.

Yeah, but he didn't know if Nagini was caged yet, right? Why would he be looking for Harry to pass on the memories if Nagini was not yet caged? And if he knew she was caged, wouldn't he give the memories prior to seeing Voldemort again?Maybe Voldemort had already told his Death Eaters that he would be keeping Nagini close to him for a while. He trusts Snape very highly, it seems, so that might be something he would tell him. It would explain why Nagini would soon be in her cage. In GoF, sometimes in the Riddle House Voldemort let Nagini wander around. But now he keeps her close, always. Maybe Snape noticed that? Just a possibility. :)

Why would the twins give up such an important thing as The Marauder's Map? I mean, they are mischiefous(sp?)..wouldn't they still need it ( even though they know where all the exits out of the castle are) to see who is roaming around the halls especially Filch? I mean, Ok they felt sorry for Harry because he was missing out of Hogsmead but he could have just borrowed it..
I do not think Fred and George used the map the same way Harry did. They largely used it to discover the secret passageways, since they seldom performed their mischief-making after hours (that we see). The twins did not seem to care about getting caught, and probably enjoyed giving Filch as much grief as possible. Thus, after they knew all of Hogwarts' secrets, they did not truly need the map any more.
Yeah, but he didn't know if Nagini was caged yet, right? Why would he be looking for Harry to pass on the memories if Nagini was not yet caged? And if he knew she was caged, wouldn't he give the memories prior to seeing Voldemort again?
Snape knew Nagini was caged during his conference with Voldemort in the Shrieking Shack. Dumbledore told Snape, "If there comes a time when Lord Voldemort stops sending that snake forth to do his bidding, but keeps it safe beside him under magical protection, then, I think, it will be safe to tell Harry" (DH, Ch. 33).

Thus, in the Shrieking Shack (during which Nagini is "swirling and coiling like a serpent underwater, safe in her enchanted, starry sphere, which floated unsupported in midair"), Snape noticed Nagini's containment and asked Voldemort, "Let me find the boy. Let me bring you Potter. I know I can find him, my Lord. Please," in order to give Harry the memories.

We know Snape sees Nagini's cage, for "his eyes were fixed upon the coiling snake in its enchanted cage." Thus, he knew it was time to find Harry and "tell him," which is why he asked Voldemort if he could go find him. He only asks this of Voldemort at the Shrieking Shack - no earlier.

Snape knew Nagini was caged during his conference with Voldemort in the Shrieking Shack. Dumbledore told Snape, "If there comes a time when Lord Voldemort stops sending that snake forth to do his bidding, but keeps it safe beside him under magical protection, then, I think, it will be safe to tell Harry" (DH, Ch. 33).

Thus, in the Shrieking Shack (during which Nagini is "swirling and coiling like a serpent underwater, safe in her enchanted, starry sphere, which floated unsupported in midair"), Snape noticed Nagini's containment and asked Voldemort, "Let me find the boy. Let me bring you Potter. I know I can find him, my Lord. Please," in order to give Harry the memories.

We know Snape sees Nagini's cage, for "his eyes were fixed upon the coiling snake in its enchanted cage." Thus, he knew it was time to find Harry and "tell him," which is why he asked Voldemort if he could go find him. He only asks this of Voldemort at the Shrieking Shack - no earlier.No no no- I think wickedwickedboy was talking about when Harry had first arrived at the castle, and he and Luna were coming back from the Ravenclaw Common Room. Snape ran into McGonagall and told her he was looking for Harry Potter. That was before their meeting in the Shrieking Shack. :)

No no no- I think wickedwickedboy was talking about when Harry had first arrived at the castle, and he and Luna were coming back from the Ravenclaw Common Room. Snape ran into McGonagall and told her he was looking for Harry Potter. That was before their meeting in the Shrieking Shack. :)
I misunderstood, I apologize. In this case, I believe it is plausible that Snape had observed Voldemort was no longer sending Nagini out on missions - a fact Snape could easily have known. After Gringotts Voldemort decides to keep Nagini close, "no longer sent to do his bidding, under his protection..." I am certain Snape would have learned of this.

However, I am unconvinced that Snape was looking for Harry to give him the memories. Snape says, "Have you seen Harry Potter, Minerva? Because if you have, I must insist -" I do not think we can necessarily assume Snape was trying to find Harry to tell him anything. I believe he merely felt the Mark burn and realized Alecto or Amycus had caught Harry. Snape would not have wanted Harry to be handed over, so he left to protect/ensure Harry's safety - not give him any information (since he made no effort to find Harry during the battle of Hogwarts, I do not think Snape knew of Nagini's containment).

This is probably a really really stupid question but I'm going to ask it anyway:lol:

Can a permanent sticking charm be lifted by the caster?

This is probably a really really stupid question but I'm going to ask it anyway:lol:

Can a permanent sticking charm be lifted by the caster?
I have no idea why not. The caster should be able to undo it when he wants to, otherwise they would be screwed up when they change their minds later.

I'm sure it's been asked, and I'm pretty sure that I knew this answer, but why did Malfoy's wand broke when Voldemort tried to kill Harry in "The Seven Potters"? Was the part of Voldemort's sould defending itself? And another question, why did Harry's scar prickled or made Harry feel pain? Was it because Voldemort's soul want it to "escape"?

Can a permanent sticking charm be lifted by the caster?

I should think so. The caster is in control of the spell and so should be able to lift it.

I'm sure it's been asked, and I'm pretty sure that I knew this answer, but why did Malfoy's wand broke when Voldemort tried to kill Harry in "The Seven Potters"? Was the part of Voldemort's sould defending itself? And another question, why did Harry's scar prickled or made Harry feel pain? Was it because Voldemort's soul want it to "escape"?

I think the first question has something to do with the way there normal wands react to each other, and using a different wand won't change that, but I'm not totally sure.

For the second question, Harry's care prickles and hurts, because Harry has a part of Voldemort in him. When voldemort feels a surge of anger, so does the part of soul inside Voldemort, which is why Voldemort uses occlumency against Harry. To avoid Harry knowing when he particularly angry. If that makes any sense.

Could someone correct me if I'm wrong, but thats what I think

For the second question, Harry's care prickles and hurts, because Harry has a part of Voldemort in him. When voldemort feels a surge of anger, so does the part of soul inside Voldemort, which is why Voldemort uses occlumency against Harry. To avoid Harry knowing when he particularly angry. If that makes any sense.

That bothered me while reading DH. Did Voldemort let down his guard and forget about the connection? Not likely. Was it just the fact that he was feeling certain emotions that prevented him from keeping Harry out....and he just didn't realize it was happening?
Along those same lines, did Voldemort never wonder why there was a connection in the first place?

That bothered me while reading DH. Did Voldemort let down his guard and forget about the connection? Not likely. Was it just the fact that he was feeling certain emotions that prevented him from keeping Harry out....and he just didn't realize it was happening?
Along those same lines, did Voldemort never wonder why there was a connection in the first place?

He probably just thought the connection was due to the curse, nothing to do with horcruxes. As for why Harry could get into his head, possibly it was something to do with him being in contact with Voldemort's horcruxes?

Originally Posted by LudwigVan
I'm sure it's been asked, and I'm pretty sure that I knew this answer, but why did Malfoy's wand broke when Voldemort tried to kill Harry in "The Seven Potters"? Was the part of Voldemort's sould defending itself? And another question, why did Harry's scar prickled or made Harry feel pain? Was it because Voldemort's soul want it to "escape"?

I think Harry's wand acting of its own accord against the borrowed wand may have been due to the piece of Voldemort's soul inside Harry protecting itself.....from the rest of itself inside Voldemort.

so I just realized something yesterday when I was reading HP articles on wikipedia . . . . . I'm sure everyone else realized it right away, but I was pretty pleased with myself when I had a "lightbulb moment!"

ok! so remember when Harry is in Dumbledore's office recalling the events from the graveyard at the end of GoF??? and when Harry says that Voldemort took his blood to use in the rebirth and he sees "something like a gleam of triumph" in Dumbledore's eyes?!? I was always really weirded out that Harry would percieve, even for a moment that Dumbledore was happy about this news . . . . . until I was recaping Deathly Hallows!
Harry was kept "alive" in Limbo because his blood resided Voldemort's veins . . . and then it clicked! Dumbledore knew that out of hatred, Voldemort would eventually try to murder Harry & would, unknowingly kill his accidental Horcrux that is in Harry. [Dumbledore, being the most brilliant wizard of all time, obviously knew about the Horcruxes (what I mentioned in book 4) before we did (book6)], then, because Harry would not be killed, he could (if he choose to) return to our world and finish the job!

Don't know if anyone else was ever confused and kind of appalled about the "gleam of triumph," but I was so excited I finally figured it out that I had to share!

Don't know if anyone else was ever confused and kind of appalled about the "gleam of triumph," but I was so excited I finally figured it out that I had to share! I understood that phrase when I read DH and everything was explained by Dumbledore at Kings Cross Station. I remember reading the "gleam of triumph" line in GOF and thinking what does Dumbledore know that is making him so happy?

There are moments like these all throughout the books where there are phrases or events that make you say "huh?" but it all comes together so nicely in the last book. That's what makes DH such a great book because at every turn things are being revealed that tie up loose ends from the other books.

I had no idea that's what the "gleam of triumph" meant. Thank you for clarifying that.:lol:

I happen to think that DH answered alot of questions but it raised almost as many as it answered. :lol:

Ive got a question here, which will help me for my fan-fiction I'm working on.

I'd don't know if this question has been asked before but..

Was Professor Quirrell at Hogwarts the year before Harry started?
As mentioned by Dumbledore no teacher has lasted more than three terms. However, Hagrid introduces Harry to professor Quirrell, before the year even starts. Most of the students seem to know Quirrell at the beginning of the year.

If someone could clear this up that'd be great.

Quirrel was a muggle studies teacher before he was a dada teacher

I read it here
http://www.accio-quote.org/articles/2007/0730-bloomsbury-chat.html

Okay thanks a lot for that, i guess i'll have to invent a DADA teacher for my fan-fiction.
Unless anyone knows who was before that

I'm sure it's been asked, and I'm pretty sure that I knew this answer, but why did Malfoy's wand broke when Voldemort tried to kill Harry in "The Seven Potters"? Was the part of Voldemort's sould defending itself?

I think Dumbledore explained it in the King's Cross chapter.

If I recall correctly, because of the brother phoenix feather cores in the yew and holly wands, the duel in the graveyard at the end of Goblet had resulted in Harry's holly wand becoming part of a conduit between Harry's power and Voldemort's power. As a result, it recognized Voldemort's power when it was about to be directed against Harry in the Seven Potters chase, even though Voldemort was using a different wand (Lucius') at the time. Harry's wand reacted against Voldemort's power, releasing the golden flames, which destroyed Lucius' wand.

Ok, I'm sure this question has been asked before but as opposed to searching through tens of thousands of posts, I figure I'll just ask it again (if it indeed has been asked).

In the Harry Potter world, muggles are known as "Non wizarding folk". Now I just completed reading the series and I know that muggles can see wizards and witches (they can see them on brooms and saw Ron and Harry's flying car in Chamber of Secrets, etc.)

What I'm wondering is this: what makes a wizard a wizard? Is it like in "X-Men" where they're just born genetically different? Could a muggle pick up a wand and do anything with it or would it just be like a stick? Could he hop on a firebolt and fly around? How are muggles different than squibs? Could a muggle walk into Hogwarts? Could a muggle go throgh platform 9 3/4?

Not the most important questions for sure, but something that was on my mind while reading the books and watching the movies.

I think I may be able to answer one of your questions. The one about muggles being different then squibs.

Squibs are like the opposite of a muggleborn wizard. IMO squibs might have a little bit of magic blood in them, but not enough to do magic. If that makes any sense. Since their parents are magical it would be extremely hard to hide an entire world from your child. Therefore they are not under the statute of secrecy and they can know about the wizarding world.

I think I may be able to answer one of your questions. The one about muggles being different then squibs.

Squibs are like the opposite of a muggleborn wizard. IMO squibs might have a little bit of magic blood in them, but not enough to do magic. If that makes any sense. Since their parents are magical it would be extremely hard to hide an entire world from your child. Therefore they are not under the statute of secrecy and they can know about the wizarding world.

Thats kind of like muggle-born parents knowing about it too. They can't exactly hide the wizarding world from them, it would be to hard.

muggles are known as "Non wizarding folk"

Or "not a drop of magic in their blood."

I guess that kind of answers your question...

what makes a wizard a wizard?


Could a muggle pick up a wand and do anything with it or would it just be like a stick?

Jo has answered that...

I been asked what would happen if a Muggle picked up a magic wand in my world.
And the answer would probably be something accidental ... possibly quite violent. Because a wand, in my world, is merely a vehicle -- a vessel for what lies inside the person.
link (http://www.accio-quote.org/articles/2006/0801-radiocityreading1partial.html)

Could he hop on a firebolt and fly around?

I would say no. For we have seen in the Philosopher's Stone during the first flying lesson that just by straddling a broom you can't make it fly. ;)



How are muggles different than squibs?

Muggles are non magical people born to non magical people, whereas squibs are non magical people born to magical people (Witches & wizards).

Could a muggle walk into Hogwarts?

I don't think so...I won't for sure because...


Q: Can Muggles see Hogwarts ? (Melinda, 11, CA)
A: Aaah - who asked that? Smart Melinda! You find out in Book 4. When they look towards it, as a safety precaution, they see a ruin with a sign saying it's unsafe. . .they mustn't enter. They can't see it as it really is.
link (http://www.accio-quote.org/articles/2000/0700-swns-alfie.htm)

And the part Jo was referring to there is the conversation between the trio where Hermione gives us further detail, when Harry brought up the idea of using Aqua lungs (during the 2nd task) and Ron was really fascinated by it...(I am sure someone will provide the exact quote for your reference :))

Could a muggle go throgh platform 9 3/4?

I don't think so. :)

Well about Muggles going through to Platform 9 & 3/4's - they obviously can since Hermione's parents most likely did and mostl likely the parents of other muggleborns would have too. Lily's parents and Petunia did apparently - to see her off on the train.. So yes some Muggles can get onto the platform but have to be with a witch or wizard to do so. I think even the Dursley's could have with Harry if they all had wanted it (Harry included) since we know that Petunia did as a child. So parents or relatives and guardians can do it even if Muggles as long as they are with a witch or wizard that is going on the train to Hogwarts.

[QUOTE=mysterious;5086758]Or [I]

I am sure someone will provide the exact quote for your reference :))

I believe it went along these lines.

Hermione-If a muggle saw hogwarts they would just see a ruined building with a sign over the entrance that says " Do not enter, unsafe"

I probably shouldn't be confused about this but here it goes lol:

We learn that Voldemort could've chosen either Harry or Neville as 'The Chosen One'. Did he happen to just pick Harry? Or is there a reason that he picked him? It could have been Neville. Was the reason because Pettigrew told Voldemort about Harry?

I feel confused about that too.

Dumbledore said "It had to be you" or something like that but why did it have to be harry?

I feel confused about that too.

Dumbledore said "It had to be you" or something like that but why did it have to be harry?

I don't know ??? Did Voldemort know that he could only pick Neville or Harry? And is there any specific reason he picked Harry other than Pettigrew sold out the Potters? (Of course he had to pick Harry otherwise there would be no Harry Potter and that would be no good lol) But I'm just confused at the reason.

I probably shouldn't be confused about this but here it goes lol:

We learn that Voldemort could've chosen either Harry or Neville as 'The Chosen One'. Did he happen to just pick Harry? Or is there a reason that he picked him?

Here is what DD figured in OoTP, The Lost Prophecy (pg 742, HB)

"He chose the boy he thought most likely to be a danger to him," said Dumbledore. "And notice this Harry: he chose, not the pure-blood (which, according to his creed, is the only kind of wizard worth being or knowing) but the half-blood, like himself. He saw himself in you before he had ever seen you, and in marking you with the scar, he did not kill you, as he intended, but gave you powers, and a future, which have fitted you to escape him not once, but four times so far - something that neither your parents, nor Neville's parents, ever achieved."

So, Voldie picked Harry because he saw himself in him. Or so thinks DD. Personally, I think that Voldie would have gone an offed baby Neville next just to be sure. A guy who makes 7 horcruxes doesn't leave a possible prophesized vanquisher a chance to survive.

Oh yes, I forgot about that. My attention span seems to waver every time i read the prophecy chapter and I don't know why:lol:

I wonder what he would've done if Neville had been the biggest threat? If Voldemort thought that way we would have Neville Longbottom and the sorcerers stone. :lol:

Oh yes, I forgot about that. My attention span seems to waver every time i read the prophecy chapter and I don't know why:lol:

I wonder what he would've done if Neville had been the biggest threat? If Voldemort thought that way we would have Neville Longbottom and the sorcerers stone. :lol:

That would be a funky thing. He'd probably be a lot cooler and more confident in the earlier books if he wasn't raised by his Gran and his parents hadn't been tortured into insanity.
It's strange that your attention span wavers during that chapter because mine sharpened when I usually miss a lot of other things in the books.

Ok, not sure whether this is a quick question or one requiring a long answer but here goes.

In OOTP Sirius tells Harry that Voldemort "has plans he can put into operation very quietly indeed." He goes on to say that this relates to something Voldemort can "only get by stealth." Finally, he says that Voldemort is after a "weapon."

My question is - what weapon? Voldemort spends the entire book trying to get to the prophecy, but that can't really be called a weapon by any stretch of the imagination. Sirius wouldn't try to mislead Harry, and he must have been aware of the fact that Voldemort was after the prophecy since so many other members of the Order spent time guarding it.

Am I just missing something? :(

The weapon was the knowledge of how to destroy Harry which he hoped would have been in the other half of the prophecy.

Version 15 is up (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?p=5087318#post5087318). :D