A late blooming Witch/wizard

Question: Will there be, or have there been, any "late blooming" students in the school who come into their magic potential as adults, rather than as children? By the way, I loved meeting you, and hearing you speak, when you came to Anderson's in Naperville. I can hardly wait until you tour again.

Ahhh! I loved the event at Anderson's. It was one of my favorites. That is completely true. No, is the answer. In my books, magic almost always shows itself in a person before age 11; however, there is a character who does manage in desperate circumstances to do magic quite late in life, but that is very rare in the world I am writing about.

Source: Barnes and Noble Chat: March 1999.


So who will it be? Right now there are three candidates. They are:
Mr. Filch, Mrs. Figg, and Petunia Dursley.

I think it will either be Mrs. Figg or Petunia. Something about Mrs. Figg just makes it seem like she would be the one who might do a bit of a spell.

I would, personally, go with Petunia, because of her performance in Ootp.

Dudley would be fun too. But Petunia makes the most sense.

I think that it will be Petunia as well.

It would be wonderful revenge if Petunia does magic. She will probably deny it until her dying day though.

Hmmm...Colin and Dennis Creevey, they are muggleborn wizard brothers. Could that be a bit of foreshadowing?

What about one of Hermiones parents in an effort to save her life.. She certainly isn't safe when she goes home during the summer right?



:devil:

Trouble is Hermione never seems to go home for the summer, or indeed, at all. In fact by the end of OotP she won't have been home for two years!!!

Back on topic - yes definitely Petunia. There's a lot to come about her, I just know it.

hmmm...with or without a wand?

I bet 10 sickles it's Petunia!

I hope it's figgy! she's way cool lol, and probably most likely since she's in the Order and could use it to protect harry and whatnot if ever he is in danger again at his home.

I was thinking it'd be hilarious if it were Uncle Vernon. Most unlikely event in the world! Lol!

But uncle Vernon would probably end up exploding Harry! :( he hates him!

Aren't we forgetting Filtch?

Originally posted by Raven (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?postid=425585#post425585))
So who will it be? Right now there are three candidates. They are:
Mr. Filch, Mrs. Figg, and Petunia Dursley.

I think it will either be Mrs. Figg or Petunia. Something about Mrs. Figg just makes it seem like she would be the one who might do a bit of a spell.


You know, we talked about this quite a bit before OotP came out and somehow I never thought about Figg AFTER the book came out. Good call.

I can see something coming after Harry and Figg picking up his wand and doing something amazing.

Petunia would only do it to save Duddy-kins so it seems less likely that there would be a wand lying about.

If the squib does pick up the wand, they will believe that it is useless to them, and will only be waving it in hopes of looking formidable...

And then BOOM!

But, JKR always makes one of these statements, we torture ourselves (and each other) over who it could be. And then she introduces a whole new character! Where the heck did Kreature come from?

Yeh, I'm betting a new character although my second choice is Petunia.
The last person I want to see with magic abilities is Filtch

[Trouble is Hermione never seems to go home for the summer, or indeed, at all. In fact by the end of OotP she won't have been home for two years!!!
How do you figure?? How do you know that the Weasley's havent picked her up a little before the beggining of the school year so that they could help her get her supplies. I really cant picture her never going home. I'm not arguing nor flaming you, I would just like to know if their was anything that was actually stated saying she doesnt go home.

Well no, Gred. There isn't anyting that states that. It was a slight tongue in cheek comment. So OK - she's spent a few days with her parents over the last two years.

I would think it would be Petunia. Because if they manage to use it in "desperate" situations, think about it: Dudley was in a desperate situation with the Dementors, and he didn't do anything magic. Uncle Vernon reacted with a sort-of desperation when Hagrid showed up to get Harry in book 1, and Uncle Vernon whipped out a gun. If he'd have had any magic in him, he would have used it then, right? Also in GOF when the Weasley's basically wreak havoc in the Dursley's living room from the whole Floo Powder incident. And also - for Petunia, a desperate situation could be cleaning up a huge mess. If she has more knowledge of the wizarding world than she lets on - which I believe - then she probably listens carefully and knows when a situation is truly desperate.

Originally posted by HPGramp (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?postid=440171#post440171))
Aren't we forgetting Filtch?


It may just be my Filch-is-an-eejit attitude, but I can't imagine any desperate circumstances prompting Filch to perform magic late in life, unless someone's attacking Mrs. Norris. Unlikely.

I'd love to see it be Mrs. Figg, but again, it's hard to see when that would come into play. Don't think DD is going to let Dung hang around Privet Drive as a sole guardian of Harry. So I can't see her particularly needing to use it. And once Harry's 17, it will be an academic question at best.

That being said, my vote is for Petunia. I've never thought she was (historically speaking) quite as anti-Wizard as the books suggest. I could see her using magic to protect Dudley OR Harry (though strangely, I can't see her using it for Vernon) under the right circumstances. And given Harry's seeming aptitude for wandless magic, I don't think she'd need a wand to do it.

Of course, it may be a character we haven't even seen yet. But I don't really think so.

Originally posted by mrscoach (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?postid=444631#post444631))
And also - for Petunia, a desperate situation could be cleaning up a huge mess.

Now, it's interesting that you mention this, because this is something I was going to pick up at some point. Here's my train of thought:

Nymphadora, on two distinct occasions, points out how unusually clean and tidy Petunia's house is. Almost as though JK is trying to draw the reader's attention to this.

The spell scourgify is introduced in this book, and, more significantly, is used on several occasions throughout the book, as though JK is trying to draw the reader's attention to that, also.

It's my idea that Petunia knows this spell and has used or uses it. Scourgify would seem to me to be an elementary level spell (along the lines of alohamora or wingardium leviosa); something I believe she might have learnt during a brief spell at Hogwarts.

Originally posted by Daveydee (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?postid=444689#post444689))
Now, it's interesting that you mention this, because this is something I was going to pick up at some point. Here's my train of thought:

Nymphadora, on two distinct occasions, points out how unusually clean and tidy Petunia's house is. Almost as though JK is trying to draw the reader's attention to this.

The spell scourgify is introduced in this book, and, more significantly, is used on several occasions throughout the book, as though JK is trying to draw the reader's attention to that, also.

It's my idea that Petunia knows this spell and has used or uses it. Scourgify would seem to me to be an elementary level spell (along the lines of alohamora or wingardium leviosa); something I believe she might have learnt during a brief spell at Hogwarts.


I noticed that too. But JKR said that the character would LEARN magic late in life not that someone we think is not a witch will turn out to be one.

I don't rule out that Petunia has magic abilities, though.

I always thought that it would be Mrs. Figg.

J.K. makes such a point of telling us that Figgy has never so much as "transfigured a teabag" and how she'd be useless against dementors... It makes me wonder if she's either suggesting that Mrs. Figg will never do magic, or if shes trying to lull us into thinking that she can't do magic, and then have her do something really extraordinary.

What a brain poo. :sigh:

I have had a theory that the reson petunia is not a witch is because iI thought she was first born and if the first born isn't a witch but the second is the first has a lesser chance to be a witch/wizard. Also JKR said all witches and wizards are written on a paper that keeps track of muggle borns.

Furthermore, we find out in book five that there are no registered witches and wizards in Little Whining. If Petunia was doing magic as an unregistered witch, then Harry would be getting letters saying that HE was breaking the restriction against underaged magic. (or whatever...I haven't slept in 48 hours...not thinking straight, and I should probably be in bed right NOW).

it would be petunia... isnt it strange that filch liked umbridge so much... quoted that umbridge was the greatest thing that happened to hogwarts...

I'm hoping it'll be Petunia, if only cause I think her becoming magical would make the best plotline...

What about Hagrid? I have always thought since he was exhonorated, perhaps he could take back up with is wizarding training? Even enough to get to OWLs...

Originally posted by lorna (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?postid=444257#post444257))
Yeh, I'm betting a new character although my second choice is Petunia.
The last person I want to see with magic abilities is Filtch


Yah I think Fitlch would have a nervous breakdown if he was finally able to preform a small amount of magic.

Petunia .. now this would be funny, but I doubt it because I dunno I just think she would die of a heart attack from discovering she was a so
called, 'freak' like her sister :angry:

Mrs. Figgs seems most likely but you can't say yah just because she seems to most likly because JK likes to throw in surprises, regardless of whether or not they are always pleasent ... *mutters about Sirius*

:'( Sirius...

In regards to the whole "unregistered witches and wizards in Little Whinging," thing, I've just been reading the beginning of OOtP again, and I wonder this: If Harry is the only registered Wizard in the area, then does any magic done there get blamed on him? Like in CoS, when Dobby does magic, Harry gets blamed. But in OOtP, when the Advanced Guard comes to get Harry, Tonks uses magic at least three times to help Harry clean up his room and pack his things. So, does the MoM know about this and assume it was Harry again?
The reason I ask is because there's a passage in the beginning of the book about how unusually clean the house is:

"The scrupulously clean kitchen had an oddly unreal glitter after the darkness outside."

This is what it says when Harry brings Dudley inside after the Dementor attack. And then of course, Tonks mentioning how clean it is. I keep wondering about the equation of Petunia + magic + cleaning. Does she use it to clean? Will we find out that she's been using it all along, or would this be found out by the MoM and blamed on the only registered Wizard around - Harry? Nobody mentioned it when Tonks used magic later that night, and Sirius told Harry "do not use any more magic." I just wonder...

^I think the MoM tracks all Witches/Wizards and they knew a bunch of registered overage witches and wizards were in the house, even though they didn't live there, so no warning was sent out. This is probably done automatically, not with people (i.e. with a magical quill sorta like McGonagall's except it records locations and spells, sorta like the Maurader's Map), that way no ministry officials would be suspicious about Harry being taken to a secret location.

About the whole showing magic in a desperate situation, my money's on Petunia. I just think it would be totally ironic, and well, we know there's something about her she's not telling us...

It might be Petunia, that would make sense. But maybe it's too obvious. I think it will be some character we least expect . . . like Uncle Vernon!!!

I read in an interview somewhere with JKR (I have no idea where the interview is), she was asked if everyone has a tiny little bit of magic in them somewhere (or a question along those lines) and she replied something like 'You think people like Uncle Vernon have any magic in them?'

My bets are on Petunia. Can you imagine the look on Vernons face if she did something! Ahhh, it would be very funny indeed.

This is just a crazy thought (I can already poke holes in it), but what if Petunia were a witch who either had her wand broken for cause or who had something else happen that made her completely negative about magic and the wizarding world?

She seems to know who Voldemort is and what Dementors are. Meeting up with them too early in life might be enough to make a Muggleborn do everything she could to have nothing to do with magic.

what about Dudley? That would totally shock Vernon and Petunia.

I think Ellen is on the right track.....

Petunia was a Witch, but after the rise of the Dark Lord, and how powerful he was, she voluntarily gave up witchcraft, and became a 'Muggle'.....

really, the only people who could know about it was the Teachers, and anybody she was friends with.......

and the Potters, who are dead......

there's a lot of holes though......Petunia is always described as a Muggle, McGonagall would know she was a witch at the beginning of Philosopher's Stone, but she calls her a Muggle......Dumbledore says nothing, and the Marauders say nothing.....

so, my guess is Petunia was never a Witch, though she could develop some powers later in life......

i think petunia has something hidden that she doesnt want anyone to know. dd probably knows though. keep an eye on her. she knows more than we think she do *wink*
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Filch - noway! What would be the reason for him to learn magic, and he already knows that he's a squib so does Mrs. Figg (a true disappointment when I found out that she was a squib). It'll be Petunie. It made perfectly sence when I read the part when she recives the Howler.

I thought JKR said that something unexpected would happen with the Dursley's?(I'll look for the interview)I think it would be Petunia because she is keeping something from us because she knew about dementors and the Howler. I think that she will show her magic trying to protect Dudley or Harry during the summer or something. I think it would be a real plot turner to the story now that Harry knows his aunt has some magic in her(if it will happen).

I like the Hagrid idea best so far. He could get his magical GED or something.

Okay... this thread may be dead and buried... and I can tell from the other posts that every single one of you is going to disagree with me... but here goes. The quote from JKR I read somewhere read more like someone who desperately wanted to learn magic... will learn it. And who do we know who desperately wants to learn magic? Someone who ordered a kwikspell course? Yes, our dear Filchy. Now, you all seem to think that if Filch go tmagical powers he would be even more horrrible as the care-taker. I disagree... it is suggested somewhere in the books (I think CoS) that Filch is that mean to students b/c he is bitter about being a squib... so if he wasn't one, maybe he'd turn into a decent guy... Maybe he'd even get a promotion... there is an empty teaching spot...

*Note: I don't really think he'll be a teacher... but the rest I think it plausible*

Hey Hey
I think it'll be Dudley, imagine how Vernon and Petunia would act! Hey, maybe he already has! That might be what the Dementors made him remeber! Maybe he did magic and never told his parents! Imagine how he would feel! He would think he was a freak, he would think that his parents would hate him if he told them! That would be enough to render a person motionless don't u think? Wow that was way off topic:blush:... meh:cool:

This could probably happen-some how a squib or a muggle, candidates include Petunia, Arabella, and Filch, obtains some magic in their adult life.

But doesn't that seem a little too...clich?

What I'm trying to say, is that in quite a few books, so and so thinks he/she can't do anything, and in the end a new power comes forth to help the main guy. It just seems to...cliched for JKR to use. But it could be possible.

I would bet anything that either Arabella or Petunia will get the power. I lean more towards "old Mrs. Figg" because she's a squib and not a muggle like Petunia. Wouldn't it be funny if Dudders or Vile Vernon got the powers?! :rotfl: Dudders would want food all day!

I think it's Petunia. I based this idea on my own flower-name theory, which you can find over here: http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=18251

Enjoy! :)

I can remember reading about this statement from JKR that someone will discover his/hers magical abilities late in life.... though I can't remember the exact words....

Hagrid seems out of the Question for me, because he already knows that he has magical powers, he just wasn't allowed to use them.

Dudley .... nooooooooo I really don't hope so

Petunia .... hmmmm I doubt it, there are enough muggels wich devote their time to cleaning. But on the other hand I still think that there is something very odd about petunia. I think she knows too much... sure she's had a sister attending hogwarts and coming home for holidays, and even if she overheard some of the dialogs lily and James had when James visited Lilys parents, would their theme truly be Askaban and Dementors and Voldemort??? I doubt it. And even so, there surely would be no need to explain such things like Dementors to Lily?

Vernon --- is odd too, but after all... When Hagrid came to give Harry his letter, Vernon at some point uttered something like "mimmblewhimble". ANd after all .... my daughter told me that mimmblewimble is a spell in one of the HP-PC-games .... just coincidence?? I trully hope so - Vernon beeing magic would be just too much for me...

Maybe its really Mrs. Figg or Mr. Filch

Sabine

I think it will be Petuina or dudely

If it were Petuina i bet vernon would divorce her, and how duddy would react, theyd think harry made him one

but who knows it could be somone who hastn even been introduced yet

I think it would be Petunia, and the desperate situation in which she would use it, I think it would be to svae Harry in some part of the war that takes place at Little Whinning. It would be fun to see Petunia using magic, and it would stretch the relationships between Harry and her.

Well, I think it´s going to be that Weasley twin that was briefly spoken about in the first book. You know, the accountant that Ron tells Harry about. But my second choice would have to be Dudley. Actually, now that I think about it, what about Aunt Marge? I mean, she in mentioned quite a bit, but she dosn´t seem to have any importance. It could be her.....maybe. That would be really funny.

but frankly .... what sort of magic should someone like Petunia or Vernon use??? Do you reckon anyone of them knows a single spell??? I don't think so. And Filch and Figg are after all squibs - but I think it more likely that one of them knows some spells.

Sabine

I think it will be Petunia. I think that something will happen over the summer that she needs to help Harry with. I also think it will be some sort of uncontrolled wandless magic.

My money's either on Petunia or Dudley. I'm hoping it will be Petubnia because I'd like her character to have more of a connection to Lily than just Harry.

Petunia I think

Well, I think Petunia is more likely. I doubt that she had once been a witch and then took on a totally muggle life after LV's rise (McGonagall at the beginning of book 1 seems to regard all the Dursleys as pure muggles, for one thing), but neither do I believe her explanation on how she found out about Dementors. It just didn't sound right. In the future, she might show powers in a desparate situation. Like people have said, if her Ickle Diddiydums is in danger. Still, that cleaning theory is very interesting...
Mrs. Figg--now I'd really like to see that happen! She's a cool character, and it'd be great if she somehow discovered her magical powers. But witches and wizards are the only people that can see Dementors, right? From her description of them in OotP, I don't think she really visually saw them.
And Filch, well, he's desparate for any sign of magic. Apart from that, I don't know.

In thinking about the "late bloomer" issue, I've been trying to figure out where the story is going and how will it be served by a character suddenly finding themselves able to do magic for the first time. With only two books to go and about a zillion plot lines to tie up, which character will find themselves in a position where they need magic to help them?

Filch is out, in my opinion, because living in Hogswart there are hundreds of people who can already do magic and could be counted on to save the day.

Dudley is an obnoxious bully and if he were to find out that he can generate magic, that would create more problems for Harry than I think we have time for in the remaining series.

So that leaves Petunia Dursley and Mrs. Figg.

If Petunia finds out that she has magical powers, how would that serve the story? The family would have to deal with issues of someone they love suddenly becoming something they hate. Or perhaps, her true evil "magic" nature comes to the forefront and Harry finds himself embattled in the last place DD thought was truely safe.

Mrs. Figg finding magic might generate a different story arc. After DD rattles off the names of the OOTP at the end of GOF, we were all sure that Mrs. Figg was a witch who was watching out for Harry. Turns out, we were only half right. Now Harry knows someone from the magical world is nearby and he'll want to talk to her. After a summer of visiting and getting to know Harry, she finds herself the only thing between Harry and magical danger (who know? DeathEaters, Dementors...) All of the sudden, the magic in her soul springs up and she saves Harry. THe affection that Harry shows her might lead her find the magic in herself.

It really could go either way, but I think it's going to be Mrs. Figg.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but one time when Harry was in Flich's office (I believe it was something to do with the Marauder's Map), he saw a correspondence magic course? I'm not sure, but I thought I remember reading that in Cos, PoA, or GoF (I'm only on SS in my re-read quest).

My bet is that Petunia will get her powers or regain them. I liked the theory that she renounced the magic world, it would explain a lot. A parallel between Colin and Dennis Creevy (as was mentioned earlier by another poster - not sure how to quote from multiple threads - sorry for not giving you credit by name).

Of course, will any of the books it's expect the unexpected.

I think the quote said learn magic, not discovering powers and in that case I think it points out to Hagrid getting a new wand and getting back to school (and so you will have in fact a student teaching, he he)

If really it's about discovering power, I would like it to be Dudley, can you imagine him at a Hogwarts feasts? He will it enough to explode ... If he was to survive, he would for sure be sorted to Slytherin and maket team with Draco against Harry.

Here is an interesting article I found today:

http://www.hp-lexicon.org/essay-petunia.html

It really raises some interesting views about who could develop powers late in life. Basically , the article says that Dudley showed signs of magical ability. Petunia then agreed to take Harry as a means to prevent Dudley from becoming a part of the magical community.

I have always believe that Dudley was the one. I dont know why. Reading the acticle made me believe this more, even thoguh I dont necassarily believe in all of the point made.

All the possibilities: (in vague order of likelyness)
Dudley
Petunia
Mrs Figg
The Grangers (Im surprised no one thought of this)
Vernon
Mr Filch
Aunt Marge
Piers Polkiss
Yvonne (I like her...I dont know why)

there is a character who does manage in desperate circumstances to do magic quite late in life

Desperate circumstances. Aka Life threatening circumstances? The Dusleys and Grangers are the only people who could get into those situations in my belief.

I wonder exaclty how late "quite late in life" is. I wouldn't think it would be Dudley from that, as he's only a teenager, and from what JKR said, it would be an adult. On the other hand, it would be quite late for him, as he's well past the age that most people would start Hogwarts. That article at the HP Lexicon was interesting, though. I think the idea about Petunia making a deal with DD about Dudley is a bit far-fetched, but it's possible.

I have long been a mouthpiece proclaiming Dudley is more magical than he seems, however, since I began reading this forum, I've begun to question my own logic. It's because I have seen how much thought JKR puts into the character's names. Dudley, Big D, Dud. Much as I would like to believe otherwise, I think that's probably a big clue that this kid's going nowhere fast. I'm afraid he's just a big dud, mentally, plotwise, and magically.

Dudley, Big D, Dud. Much as I would like to believe otherwise, I think that's probably a big clue that this kid's going nowhere fast. I'm afraid he's just a big dud, mentally, plotwise, and magically.

yeah, I agree. I'm afraid the only things Dudley may be gifted at are eating, whining, making Harry's life hell, and being a bully. And imagine the shame, Vernon Dursley's own son possessing magical powers?

I'm going waaaaay out on a limb here, but I think it's Aunt Marge, for a couple of reasons.

1. In PS/SS, Vernon states, in reference to Lily, "If I had a sister like that....."

2. In POA, Aunt Marge's glass shatters in her hand, and she isn't especially surprised by this turn of events. In fact, it's no big deal: it's happened before.

Harry jumps to the conclusion (as do we) that he lost his temper and let loose with some accidental magic. After all, he's the only one present who could have done it, right? Plus, he's always responsible for everything anyway, right? (Talk about guilt trips.....) However, the book is ambiguous on the question of responsibility. Assuming Harry is responsible for the shattered glass is reasonable, but you know what they say happens when we assume something.

Petunia, Dudley, Figg or Filch are the most LIKELY choices for discovering magical talent late in life, given their personal histories, which makes me think it will be someone else entirely.

Petunia, Dudley, Figg or Filch are the most LIKELY choices for discovering magical talent late in life, given their personal histories, which makes me think it will be someone else entirely.
But JKR quote was there is a character who does manage in desperate circumstances to do magic quite late in life; not someone who will "discover" their magical talent; it sounds like a one-off, in desparate circumstances.

But your theory is very good, I quite like it! I believe we will see Aunt Marge again, so that would work. But why would she be under desparate circumstances?

[QUOTE=TheEvilOne]What about one of Hermiones parents in an effort to save her life.. She certainly isn't safe when she goes home during the summer right?



:devil:[/QUOTE

I don't really think anyone wants to kill Hermione. She's more in danger when she's helping Harry, isn't she? Besides, I'd be very surprised to see her at home. Still, it'd be cool to hear about her mysterious muggle parents doing magic...

So who will it be? Right now there are three candidates. They are:
Mr. Filch, Mrs. Figg, and Petunia Dursley.

I think it will either be Mrs. Figg or Petunia. Something about Mrs. Figg just makes it seem like she would be the one who might do a bit of a spell.


It'd be awesome if it's Petunia. I hope it is.

1. In PS/SS, Vernon states, in reference to Lily, "If I had a sister like that....."
2. In POA, Aunt Marge's glass shatters in her hand, and she isn't especially surprised by this turn of events. In fact, it's no big deal: it's happened before.

Hm, I like this. I'm not convinced, but I like it. After all:
1. JKR is really sneaky like that.
2. I actually took this as a hint that the guy who was keeping Marge's dogs was a wizard, but your way may be better.

there is a character who does manage in desperate circumstances to do magic quite late in life

Nothing in that sentence suggests that whoever manages to produce some magic will continue to have "magical powers". I notice a few possibilities being ruled out because people can't see them "becoming a witch or wizard". I imagine it will be more along the lines of a once off event in extraordinary circumstances, never to be repeated. It won't necessarily require a wand (I'm tipping a wand will be involved though) and I'm doubtfull it will require a spell. If you remember the number of times Harry is capable of magic before learning he's a Wizard, none of those required spells or wands.

I'm thinking Petunia, and I'm thinking it will be to protect Harry, not Dudley or Vernon.

Oh and yay :clap: first post.

Edit:
I should have read a bit closer :P

But JKR quote was there is a character who does manage in desperate circumstances to do magic quite late in life; not someone who will "discover" their magical talent; it sounds like a one-off, in desparate circumstances.

I also think that it will be Petunia.I think she would be the most likely becuase there is no way she could have lived with lily as a child and not known about some of the wizarding ways and about the wizarding world.In OotP,she knows about Voldemort.My theory could also be wrong,Petunia is the most obvious,but we know how JKR likes to throw in surprises and twists in the books.

Welcome Mungo Daily!

Not only is your first post intelligent but you also figured out how to use the Edit function by yourself! (Very rare believe me. I'm not being sarcastic.)

Yvonne (I like her...I dont know why)


Is Yvonne that friend of Petunia that went to Mallorca?

Is Yvonne that friend of Petunia that went to Mallorca?

:agree:, Yvonne holidayed in Majorca in PS and the Dursleys expressed interest in buying a holiday home there in CoS.

Like many others, I think Petunia will be in that "desperate" situation which will force a bit of magic out of her. The books are becoming more dangerous, especially for Harry and therefore the Dursleys by proxy. I can imagine things are going to become more sinister at Privet Drive, which may very well bring out Petunia's magical side.

I'm going waaaaay out on a limb here, but I think it's Aunt Marge, for a couple of reasons.

1. In PS/SS, Vernon states, in reference to Lily, "If I had a sister like that....."

2. In POA, Aunt Marge's glass shatters in her hand, and she isn't especially surprised by this turn of events. In fact, it's no big deal: it's happened before.

Harry jumps to the conclusion (as do we) that he lost his temper and let loose with some accidental magic. After all, he's the only one present who could have done it, right? Plus, he's always responsible for everything anyway, right? (Talk about guilt trips.....) However, the book is ambiguous on the question of responsibility. Assuming Harry is responsible for the shattered glass is reasonable, but you know what they say happens when we assume something.

Petunia, Dudley, Figg or Filch are the most LIKELY choices for discovering magical talent late in life, given their personal histories, which makes me think it will be someone else entirely.
I just started rereading PoA and when I got to this part, I thought of Aunt Marge too. Especially because Harry gets no particular type of warning or punishment for underage use of magic. In fact, Fugde later seems a bit cautious when Harry asks about why he wasn't punished. Fudge brushes it off as wanting to protect Harry now that Black is escaped from prision. However, when Harry did the magic in CoS the letter arrived almost immediately, so he could have received it while trying to escape the Dursleys, on the Knight Bus, of Fudge could have delivered it personally. Something is fishy about that incident. Perhaps Aunt Marge will get her powers when she is attacked by DE's?

There's definitely something fishy about Aunt Marge, but if she were able to a bit of magic in desperate circumstances, don't you think she would have done something when Harry blew her up?

My money's on Petunia.

Thanks Jessica :D

I think whoever develops magic late in life will be a new character we've never met before. The Dursleys all seem like obvious choices (and when has JKR ever been obvious?), and none of the other muggle characters would add much to the story if they suddenly became magical, so I'm forced to conclude that it's someone new. And just for the sake of predicting, I think it'll be a new student at Hogwarts who's behind everyone else because he has to start at the beginning.

And just for the sake of predicting, I think it'll be a new student at Hogwarts who's behind everyone else because he has to start at the beginning.

Not sure I get what you're saying (I'm Swedish and tired) but if I get you correctly what you're saying is that the person who is able to do magic late in life will start at Hogwarts and be older thatn the other persons in that year.

But didn't JKR say that it was someone who was able to produce magic late in life, not discover. The way I get it is that it will be a one-time thing. That is why I think that it will be Petunia protecting Dudle or maybe even Harry. Even though this is the most obvius character I can't really think of anyone else.

I think whoever develops magic late in life will be a new character we've never met before. The Dursleys all seem like obvious choices (and when has JKR ever been obvious?), and none of the other muggle characters would add much to the story if they suddenly became magical, so I'm forced to conclude that it's someone new. And just for the sake of predicting, I think it'll be a new student at Hogwarts who's behind everyone else because he has to start at the beginning.
Hey, just now catching up with some threads I let fall by the wayside.

Granted, right now, the Dursleys and Mrs. Figg seem like obvious choices, but lets say we didn't know somebody was going to do magic (for the first time) quite late in life. In that case, Petunia or Dudley doing something magical would be one of those brain whirling twists that JKR is famous for.

The interview that she dropped this hint took place (I think) before the third book came out. At the time, HP was popular, but nothing like it is today, and JKR had experience with the media and interviewers, but nothing like she does now. (Back then she used to grant most interview requests).

I had just been thinking about this lately and I have to agree with what most people are saying. Even though it maybe seems obvious, I think it will be Petunia; probably saving Harry. In a moment of panic, she'll grab Harry's wand and go for it. You know what I think. I think perhaps Petunia always could do magic, but then she met Vernon during some summer when she was young and since he hated magic, she hid it from him. Then she fell in love with him and has hid it from him ever since. She's claimed never to like anything in regards to her sister or her family or magic. She completely seperated herself from it all deciding instead to be with Vernon. I think she really is a witch and always has been.

So what you're saying is that Petunia met and fell in love with Vernon or cared enough of what he thought to hide her magic from him before she was 11. Also, Petunia would have received her own Hogwarts letter if she had been born magical. So you're saying that she would've refused the acceptance based on Vernon's feelings about "freakiness." Hmm...sounds incredibly unlikely to me.

I think it is pretty clear that Petunia was not magical and that she considered Lily a freak for being a witch.

With reference to the interview, this thread title seems to be misleading. JK states that someone will manage to do magic quite late in life in a dangerous situation, not that someone will be a late bloomer.
I also vote for Petunia.

Good Catch, ya I don't think that Petunia is magic in 4 Pivet drive. I think that Fig will be the wizard because even though she isn't able to do magic she probably has a good idea of how to, and I doubt Petunia knows the first thing about spells

So what you're saying is that Petunia met and fell in love with Vernon or cared enough of what he thought to hide her magic from him before she was 11. Also, Petunia would have received her own Hogwarts letter if she had been born magical. So you're saying that she would've refused the acceptance based on Vernon's feelings about "freakiness." Hmm...sounds incredibly unlikely to me.

Well, I was thinking more that she had gone to the school at least for a few years and met Vernon later in the summer after her fifth or sixth year and then quit. You now how sometimes if there's something personal in your life that maybe makes you different from other people, you don't say it to somebody you're attracted to right away. I think maybe she just kept it from him and then decided not to go back. Perhaps she had been to Hogwarts.

I don't know. Yeah, I actually think it is pretty unlikely, as well. But, I just thought it was a cool idea.

Actually, I think that it's pretty explicit that Petunia is a muggle. This leads me to think that it will be Mrs. Figg who performs magic, probably to save Harry.

Actually, I think that it's pretty explicit that Petunia is a muggle. This leads me to think that it will be Mrs. Figg who performs magic, probably to save Harry.

Prior to OotP I would have agreed with you. After Petunia's revelations about the Dementors, however, I sincerely believe that there is more to Aunt Petunia than meets the eye. She clearly has a relatively good grasp about the ways of the magical world, but hasn't disclosed exactly what and how much she does know.

It's one of my most sincerest hopes that we find out more about Petunia and the Evanses in book six.

I can't see Mrs Figg conjuring up magic, I'm afraid. She seemed lethal enough with her bag of groceries, if you ask me. :lol:

At the top of the page, Popkin says something about Dudley will live up to his name, a Dud. That actually lends credence to the fact that he could be a low powered wizard. So maybe it is him afterall, that will discover magic late in life (did JKR actually say "quite" late in life, or just late in life. I believe I remember something about someone pointing at an older adult like Petunia, Filch, or Figg and she replied something to the effect of "Well not that late in life, by then it's way too late", don't recall if I saw the actual interview for that, or if it was someone's argument)

The thing against Dudley having any magical abilities whatsoever is the Dementor attack, if he didn't see them, he should have no magical ability whatsoever, but maybe he did see them and that's what freaked him out so bad, rather than the depressing memory effect the Dementors have on everyone wether Muggle or Magical. I've asked people and lots of folks seem convinced it's plain he didn't see them, the way I read it, I felt it didn't definitively go either way, he may or may not have seen them.

I haven't read all the other posts but I really think they it's Neville. In the first book he was talking about how he wasn't even sure if he would be accepted into Hogwarts or not. His grandmotehr is always harping on him about how he doesn't have the talent that his parents did and I really think that Neville is going to blossom in this next book. Maybe after getting his own wand since his dad's got broken in the Dept. of Mysteries battles. As Mr. Oliviander says.....the wand choose the wizard....maybe Nevilee's dad's wand wasn't the best match for him. Then in the first 4 books Neville was always having problems with spells and such and during the DA meetings Harry talks so much about the progress Neville is making. I really think it's Neville.

But the problem with that theory is that Neville has performed magic before, and is probably capable of doing well with magic (his confidence level is pretty low, which probably precludes success). JKR said that a character would do magic "quite late" in life, which leads me to think that he or she will probably be an adult. I'm aware that Petunia knows more than she's letting on about the magical world, but I don't think that she's at all capable of doing magic. That's why she was so jealous of Lily.

Oh I agree, bellatrix669, but JKR said that a person quite late in life would be able to do magic in a desperate circumstance. That sounds like it will be a one-time shot and that is why everyone is placing their bets on squibs or muggles.

Perhaps the magic will be Petunia being able to wedge her Diddykins into a small space to hide him from Death Eaters...

Okay you have a point about Neville. Has anyone thought about Aunt Marge??? ((Edit: DOH!!! If Ihad read all the thread I would have seen that Aunt Marge has already been discussed. I just sat down and started reading POA agian last night and that part stuck me as funny)) Remember in POA the wine glass busting. Well there could be a few ways of looking at it.

1. Aunt Marge really is so strong that she can bust a wine glass without realizing she's squeezing it that hard.

2. Could she have magical powers that are laying dormant?? Marge was upset and going on about Harry right before it happened. We all know that she hates Harry. She said she had busted a glass at Colonel Fubster's the other day. Could she have been talking about something then that upset her?? Could her emotions have made her bust the glass like Harry's emotions made her blow up like a balloon.

Harry assummed he was responsible for breaking the wine glass but what if he wasn't. What if Marge really has powers that she doesn't know about. What if in book six Marge comes back to visit (going by this repeating pattern thing in the books that I keep hearing about) and something happens that threatens one of the Dursley's or her precious Ripper and she does magic to try and save them??

I'm hoping it'll be Petunia, if only cause I think her becoming magical would make the best plotline...


Good point... I used to think he mite be one of potential late- bloomers but then i kinda forgot about him. Hagrid seems like a likely canidate. Perhaps he uses magic and dies saving harry... But then harry would get stuck with loking after Gawp and where the heck would hary find a place for a 16 feet tall giant... I don't think aunt petunia would be to happy

Hagrid does magic all the time, though, at least on the sneak or with permission. Thus he doesn't seem likely to me. I've always guessed the quote refers to a person who has never performed magic before.

Hagrid does magic all the time, though, at least on the sneak or with permission. Thus he doesn't seem likely to me. I've always guessed the quote refers to a person who has never performed magic before.

I agree, maybe even someone who didnt even know they had magic in them (or it could be a squib) but i think it be more intresting the other way

like Aunt Pentuia or Dudley. Vernon would proabably kill hmself if it turned out to be him :scared:

petunia would make headlines if she discovers magic late in life.. im all for petunia! =P

Hmm, perhaps Ladbrokes should be offering odds on who it is. :)

Since the wording of what JKR said was "there is a character who does manage in desparate circumstances to do magic quite late in life", not learn it, my ante-post odds would be (tongue in cheek):

Petunia 5-4 favourite
(to save Dudley, herself, Vernon, or perhaps even Harry)

Mrs Figg 3-1
(as part of a fight involving the OotP)

New character 6-1
(let's face it, we all speculated who the woman DADA teacher was going to be, and it turned out to be someone completely new, so this is a real possibility)

Filch 12-1
(hard to imagine what circumstances, but we do know he's trying to learn magic via Kwikspell so maybe he'll get the hang of it in an emergency!)

Dudley 20-1
(no reason for supposing this except it would be such a really neat plot twist)

Hermione parent 20-1
(their daughter is an extremely talented witch, after all. Also, if you were the DE's, wouldn't an obvious way to strike at Harry be to go after his friends and their relatives?)

Vernon 50-1
(his reaction would be a great comedy moment, but he's almost the definition of "Muggle" so it doesn't seem likely)

The field 100-1
(I can't think of any other likely already-mentioned Muggles or Squibs off the top of my head, but you never know ...)

Well considering they have special courses for older wizards to be, you know the one course that Filtch wanted to take up. Then yes I supposed they do have late starters. Well at least enough to advertise course for mature starter wizards to be.

I think Lily and Petunia come from a squib family - close enough to be called muggles. Probably more respectable to be called a muggle than a squib (at least in some circles). Dudley showed signs early on of being a wizard and Petunia makes a deal with Dumbledore. This has been said before. But look at the reaction Dudley had with the dementers. It was wizard-like not muggle-like. Wizards react strikingly to dementers. Vivid memory recall, very strong emotions etc. . . whereas muggles have a vague reaction of dread, anxiety, depression. Not the sweat breaking blood boiling response that we have seen by magic folk. Dudley has shown he has wizard blood. I think Dudley will be the one to develope magic especially if Dumbledore dies. :upset: [FONT=Arial]

:welcome: to the forums, left soc!

I think Lily and Petunia come from a squib family - close enough to be called muggles. Probably more respectable to be called a muggle than a squib (at least in some circles). Dudley showed signs early on of being a wizard and Petunia makes a deal with Dumbledore. This has been said before.

Well, I hadn't seen it, but thanks for the tip-off. :) Welcome, by the way.

It's an interesting thought that the reason Lily/Petunia's parents were so pleased with Lily might be because they were Squibs themselves. I don't know about Dudley having wizard powers though, wouldn't he have found himself unconsciously using them as a kid like Harry did?


But look at the reaction Dudley had with the dementers. It was wizard-like not muggle-like. Wizards react strikingly to dementers. Vivid memory recall, very strong emotions etc. . . whereas muggles have a vague reaction of dread, anxiety, depression. Not the sweat breaking blood boiling response that we have seen by magic folk. Dudley has shown he has wizard blood. I think Dudley will be the one to develope magic especially if Dumbledore dies. :upset:

Hmm - I'd assumed that all humans reacted to Dementors pretty much the same way, depending on how much effort the Dementors put into their, er, dementing. It's not just their presence that affects people strongly, they have to actively do that happiness-sucking thing?

I can't think of another non-wizard whose reaction to Dementors has been described, except Mrs Figg (and it affected her quite powerfully). I may just have missed a reference somewhere - the only one I remember is Lupin in PoA saying something like "even Muggles feel their presence, though they can't see them". I suppose that might mean Muggles are less affected, but then Dudley's reaction could just be that he was the subject of an all-out attack by a Dementor trying to do the Kiss, so he was never going to be feeling that good.

I think it's Petunia, and that she was a Squib and was jealous of her sister.

During Harry's trial when Ms Figg gave her testimony, fudge stated that they had no witch on record within miles of Harry. When she replied that she was a squib, Fudge then told her to leave proof of her parentage with Percy before she left. So maybe if you're a Squib you wouldn't be on the record books which would fit Petunia perfectly.

Kaonashi,but we also know that Lily is a muggle born. So unless the non magical children of muggles who do have magical children are squibs Petunia can't be

I think It will be either Petunia(some how.....) Mrs. Figg, or maybe even dudley(NOW that would be funny!!!:D)

Kaonashi,but we also know that Lily is a muggle born. So unless the non magical children of muggles who do have magical children are squibs Petunia can't be

I think It will be either Petunia(some how.....) Mrs. Figg, or maybe even dudley(NOW that would be funny!!!:D)

Those names are good and id guess them too, but they seem a bit more obviusly, thats who people would be excepting, so maybe JK will throw us a cuvrve ball, maybe its someone we dont even know of yet. It could be an older adult or someone i n the teens, that might be consdered late by the standards, it seems if you dont show some sign of magic by your 11 birthday you might not have any

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Originally Posted by the left soc
I think Lily and Petunia come from a squib family - close enough to be called muggles. Probably more respectable to be called a muggle than a squib (at least in some circles). Dudley showed signs early on of being a wizard and Petunia makes a deal with Dumbledore. This has been said before.
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I agree. Especially as Squibs are not registered and would pass as Muggles, both in Muggle society and to Wizards as well. It certainly explains their elation at having Lily turn out to be a witch, and it explains Petunia's extreme jealousy as well. So the likelihood that Petunia might turn out to be able to do magic in a desperate sitation is high. I'm not so sure about Dudley, I'd say the Muggle blood from Vernon's side was a domnant genetic factor.i

Im surprised nobody else had thought of the Grangers.

Those names are good and id guess them too, but they seem a bit more obviusly, thats who people would be excepting, so maybe JK will throw us a cuvrve ball, maybe its someone we dont even know of yet. It could be an older adult or someone i n the teens, that might be consdered late by the standards, it seems if you dont show some sign of magic by your 11 birthday you might not have any
I agree that they may seem obvious, making it less likely to be them, but I think it is still a possibility. It depends on what it means by "late in life" - Harry shows signs since he was 7 or so; so I imagine "late in life" means over 11 years old.

magic almost always shows itself in a person before age 11; however, there is a character who does manage in desperate circumstances to do magic quite late in life, but that is very rare in the world I am writing about.

I defineltly don't think Mrs. Figg could end up doing magic. She is an old lady, and would have had to shown signs of magic sometime later in life. I think it could possibly be filch. He was taking that quick spell course in the second year. It may be possible for squibs to gain some magic, since filch was trying. if he had lived in the magic community his whole life, he probably knew if it was possible to or not. He doesn't seem to be the type of person who would try something if there wasn't some outcome.
I think it might actually be possible that Peutunia is a witch, even though there is about a .00001% chance that it will turn out that way. s he never said specificaly who the boy was that told him about azkaban prison. I actually think it could have been Lucius Malfoy. Malfoy was a few years older than James, Lilly, and the others. Peutunia, with her addiction to cleaning, which is responsible, seems like she is the eldest child. If she was a couple years older than Lilly, then she could have been in the same year as Lucius. She might have become aquaintances or even friends with him, and might have developed a crush on him. If he didn't like James, then Peutunia probably wouldn't have either. If he also didn't like Lilly, she wouldn't either. Peutunia could have been like a sort of Pansy Parkinson type charachter. Of course, lucius probably didn't know she was a muggle born if he had became friends with her. If she had in fact gone to hogwarts, she was probably a ravenclaw. maybe they had dated or just had a little fling in seventh year. When it was time to leave school, she might have wanted to marry him, but he wouldn't marry her because she was a "Mudblood" That could have broken her heart. She wouldn't want anything to do with the magical community after that, besides using magic to clean.
Of course I REALLY DOUBT THIS WILL EVER HAPPEN........ it might make a goo idea for a fanfic though... :)

Hmm, perhaps Ladbrokes should be offering odds on who it is. :)

Since the wording of what JKR said was "there is a character who does manage in desparate circumstances to do magic quite late in life", not learn it, my ante-post odds would be (tongue in cheek):

Petunia 5-4 favourite
(to save Dudley, herself, Vernon, or perhaps even Harry)

Mrs Figg 3-1
(as part of a fight involving the OotP)

New character 6-1
(let's face it, we all speculated who the woman DADA teacher was going to be, and it turned out to be someone completely new, so this is a real possibility)

Filch 12-1
(hard to imagine what circumstances, but we do know he's trying to learn magic via Kwikspell so maybe he'll get the hang of it in an emergency!)

Dudley 20-1
(no reason for supposing this except it would be such a really neat plot twist)

Hermione parent 20-1
(their daughter is an extremely talented witch, after all. Also, if you were the DE's, wouldn't an obvious way to strike at Harry be to go after his friends and their relatives?)

Vernon 50-1
(his reaction would be a great comedy moment, but he's almost the definition of "Muggle" so it doesn't seem likely)

The field 100-1
(I can't think of any other likely already-mentioned Muggles or Squibs off the top of my head, but you never know ...)

Well I was thinking Hagrid until I got the exact quote (which is a lot different from learning magic late in life). I still think he should get real training if he wants it.

So I think it will be, in this order: Aunt Petunia, Filtch, a new character (didn't JKR say there wouldn't be any new characters?), or one of Hermione's parents.

If it's Filch then I think the circumstance would be an attack at the school. There's a thread somewhere discussing the possibility of a battle at Hogwarts.

I like the idea of it being Aunt Petunia because it would be the best option plotwise, no matter how obvious it seems. (MagiCils said pretty much the same thing.) I can't see anyone else using magic one time having as much as an impact as Petunia using it would. Can you imagine what would happen if she uses magic and the rest of the family sees? I don't think they'd be able to just dismiss it.

Ok, my take on who it might be.
Filch: I don't think so. He's taking (or interested in taking) the so-called Qwik-Spell courses, but they sound like some get-rich-quick scheme that don't work at all.
Aunt Marge: My very first thought was that she would be a witch, especially after her glass broke, but later I thought JKR was just using her as an example of the magical potential in muggles. I mean, everyone (well, except maybe Uncle Vernon :lol:) has some bit in them, just not enough to make viable witches or wizards, know what I mean. Mr. Weasley once said that muggles would do anything to ignore magic even if it were staring them in the face (while discussing shrinking keys). Do you get my point?
Dudley: I think the "Dud" discussion above sums it up quite nicely. I don't expect anything from him either.
Mrs. Figg: Maybe, but my gut feeling is no.
Petunia: I really think it's her. Although throughout the series everyone has been stating that Lily is muggle born, I just have the feeling it really isn't true. The "squib born" discussion seems more likely. And really, Petunia was highly jealous of her sister, but why? I don't think it's really because she's a witch, but because Lily was living a life she would rather have had. The "Tragedy of Petunia" brought up some good points about how she knew about dementors and I'll go along with it up to the point regarding Dudley.
My theory is that Petunia is not a muggle or a squib, but really a Hogwarts graduate living in a wizard equivalent of "Witness Protection", meaning she *had* to give up magic and marry Vernon and put up with the lot. She would have been pronounced dead and buried, gotten a new face, identy and home. That would explain why she knows more about Hogwarts, Azkaban, etc. than she lets on. It would also explain her bitterness and militant stance about wizards and witches (quite a lot like ex-smokers being the worst anti-smokers). And maybe like Hagrid, she just can't resist using a bit of covert magic here and there to help clean up the kitchen. ;) I think she'd be a good candidate because - not knowing what protection sort of protection Harry is under while with the Dursleys - Harry does attract trouble. The dementors showed Petunia that the next time something might not occur just a street away, but on their very door step. She may not necessarily act for Harry's sake, but she is a mother first and foremost and will do everything in her power to protect her son, Dud or not.
others: Well, then there are naturally a slew of other people who also need to be considered as well as any new characters. I don't think we'll have anymore new characters coming this late into the game who will "suddenly" be a late-blooming wizard or witch (or one-time magic creator, whatever). I think it's really got to be someone we've known all along and I think the Quik-Spell letter is supposed to throw us off course to think it's Filch. Of course, the tidbits about Petunia at the beginning of OotP weren't exactly subtle either, so that means it could still be someone we've left out, forgotten or just really didn't expect à la JKR. But since I'm bent on it being Petunia, I'll forgo discussing all the various muggle parents, neighbors that we've met with up until now.

So, if you made it this far, well thanks for your patience and I'm looking forward to your input! :D

I think that JKR means it's Neville since he's not that good in magic and now at OotP he's also been fighting death eaters.

I'm all for Mrs. Figg developing magic! It would obviously be of aid to the Order since she lives near Harry and after the dementor attack, it is important he be well protected. What better way of protecting him than Mrs. Figg developing magic. Also, she is friendly with Dumbledore so he might be able to help her, and I'm sure Dumbledore would find it comforting to have a full-fledged witch around Harry during the summers, just in case his spell is breached again.

Petunia could very well have known she was a witch at age 11 and been completely horrified. Perhaps it wasn't a welcome thing that Lily was a witch. We don't know the specifics of whether Lily went to Hogwarts with a blessing from her parents or not. It may be that Lily was allowed to go for some reason, but no way was Petunia going also.

It could also be that Petunia is still a muggle, but she is born of a family which produced a witch, so perhaps she has the capacity to use it when it is in connection with her family.

I'm also remembering that Petunia has a history with DD, so perhaps he left her with a one-time use charm or ability for Harry's protection. She may not have any clue how it works or why, but she knows under certain circumstances, she is to use it. The last of the bloodline that held the love that saved Harry is carried in Petunia (I don't think it survived in Duds), so maybe her blood connection to Harry makes her able to use certain charms to protect him.

I sure would like to see Aunt Pet whip around and shoot a big old Patronus out of her hidden wand, only to see Vernon and Duds running like mad away from a fierce, totally different Petunia. :rotfl:

Petunia could very well have known she was a witch at age 11 and been completely horrified. Perhaps it wasn't a welcome thing that Lily was a witch. We don't know the specifics of whether Lily went to Hogwarts with a blessing from her parents or not. It may be that Lily was allowed to go for some reason, but no way was Petunia going also.
In Philosopher's Stone Petunia said this:

"I was the only one who saw her for what she was- a freak! But for my mother and father, oh no, it was Lily this and Lily that, they were proud of having a witch in the family!"

So I definately think that Lily had a blessing from her parents when she went off to Hogwarts.

In Philosopher's Stone Petunia said this:

"I was the only one who saw her for what she was- a freak! But for my mother and father, oh no, it was Lily this and Lily that, they were proud of having a witch in the family!"

So I definately think that Lily had a blessing from her parents when she went off to Hogwarts.


Some of the magical community apparently enjoys being magical, but doesn't care for Hogwarts (or, to a point, its leadership).

My point was not about Lily's blessing, per se, anyway, but thanks for clearing it up.

This quote serves my point- Petunia saw Lily as a freak. Had Petunia seen the same powers in herself, she may have been horrified and thought herself a freak, swearing to forever eschew magic and the magical world.

This quote serves my point- Petunia saw Lily as a freak. Had Petunia seen the same powers in herself, she may have been horrified and thought herself a freak, swearing to forever eschew magic and the magical world.I disagree. I think that if Petunia had the same powers as Lily she would have welcomed them. I believe that Petunia's disgust of Lily's powers was born of her parents admiration of Lily. Perhaps Petunia felt jealous of Lily for the attention she was recieving from their parents and came to resent Lily and her gift for it. If Petunia had actually recieved a letter from Hogwarts at age eleven I think she would have went.

I disagree. I think that if Petunia had the same powers as Lily she would have welcomed them. I believe that Petunia's disgust of Lily's powers was born of her parents admiration of Lily. Perhaps Petunia felt jealous of Lily for the attention she was recieving from their parents and came to resent Lily and her gift for it. If Petunia had actually recieved a letter from Hogwarts at age eleven I think she would have went.


Well, that's fine, and why I said, "may have". I'm not disagreeing with you, exactly, I'm just saying I think there are possibilities here. :)

I still believe Petunia's fear was not born wholly of her resentment of Lily, but also of fear of something different. Petunia doesn't seem fond of change or anything going out of routine. I don't see her welcoming magic into her life, even at age 11. Petunia would have already been past her Hogwarts letter age when Lily got hers. Did they already know about the wizarding world? Was it a complete shock that their daughter was a witch? They were Muggles, but they may have known about the World already.

Anyway, my main point is that Petunia has shown herself to be very conformist, (Muggle) socially concious, and unadaptable. I believe these were probably traits she had from adolescence. She was already less attractive than Lily. :sad:

I do believe that their parents' love for Lily and her abilities are what caused her to eventually pretend she didn't even have a sister. I'm not sure, though, what it says about Petunia that she continued to do so even after her own parents died and Harry was born (and apparently they were dead before the attack, anyway, otherwise Harry would have gone to them).

Petunia gets my vote for secret power because rarely are people so against something unless they have secrets in their hearts as well.

In other words, "The Lady doth protest too much."

Well, that's fine, and why I said, "may have". I'm not disagreeing with you, exactly, I'm just saying I think there are possibilities here. :)

I still believe Petunia's fear was not born wholly of her resentment of Lily, but also of fear of something different. Petunia doesn't seem fond of change or anything going out of routine. I don't see her welcoming magic into her life, even at age 11. Petunia would have already been past her Hogwarts letter age when Lily got hers. Did they already know about the wizarding world? Was it a complete shock that their daughter was a witch? They were Muggles, but they may have known about the World already.

Anyway, my main point is that Petunia has shown herself to be very conformist, (Muggle) socially concious, and unadaptable. I believe these were probably traits she had from adolescence. She was already less attractive than Lily. :sad:

I do believe that their parents' love for Lily and her abilities are what caused her to eventually pretend she didn't even have a sister. I'm not sure, though, what it says about Petunia that she continued to do so even after her own parents died and Harry was born (and apparently they were dead before the attack, anyway, otherwise Harry would have gone to them).

Petunia gets my vote for secret power because rarely are people so against something unless they have secrets in their hearts as well.

In other words, "The Lady doth protest too much."
Agreed.

I also believe that Petunia will be the one to show powers late in life. We do not know that many characters who are muggles or squibs. As far as I know, and correct me if I'm wrong, the only characters who are muggles or squibs who have been a continuing part of the story are:

Mrs. Figg
Filch
Petunia
Vernon
and Dudley

Filch, I believe, is too much of a background character for this to happen to. If Mrs. Figg were to have late blooming powers I think the perfect opportunity for her to have shown them was in Order of the Pheonix when Harry and Dudley were being attacked by the dementors, as this was a desperate circumstance. If JKR were to put Mrs. Figg in a situation similar to this again so that she can expose her powers it would seem repetitive. Any of the Dursleys would be a possibility but I think that it is most sensible to have Petunia show powers late in life. Petunia is obviously hiding a lot of her past that involved Lily. I believe that if she showed late blooming powers it would be the perfect opportunity for Harry to weasel some of that information out of her, as he would definately know she was hiding something.

Man it whould be great if dudley did magic. Then harry could say somthing like well are u going to lock him in a broom closet for 11 years. They whould be a great twist.

I find it interesting that most people base Petunia's adamant dislike of wizardkind and her knowledge of the wizarding world on the idea that the Evans' were squibs.

Consider Hermione's parents. They're Muggles. They're dentists. They're totally unfamiliar with the wizarding world. Yet they are completely delighted that Hermione is a witch. Is it so hard to believe that the Evans were Muggles and still be delighted that Lily is a witch?

Consider the fact that Petunia and Lilly's parents are obviously dead. What do you suppose caused their deaths? I doubt they were old enough to die from age, so that leaves an unnatural cause of death. With Lily as their daughter it isn't a very far leap in logic to imagine that magic had something to do with their early demises. Wouldn't this be enough to turn Petunia completely against wizardkind? First her sister gets preferential treatment and then her parents are killed because of something her "perfect sister" is involved in.

Perhaps Petunia really did learn about Dementors and Azkaban from overhearing James and Lilly. Perhaps at one point in the past she was curious about the wizarding world. Perhaps she took Harry in with only a minimal understanding of what she was doing: only that she was fulfilling a protective spell cast by her sister by taking him in and that doing so will save his life.

Petunia obviously knows about Voldemort, but doesn't cower at the name like any trained wizard would. She only knows a minimal amount about wizarding and its world. It's really not possible that she is secretly a witch.

Perhaps she could use magic late in life, but not for the reasons we've been citing here.

Perhaps Petunia really did learn about Dementors and Azkaban from overhearing James and Lilly. Perhaps at one point in the past she was curious about the wizarding world. Perhaps she took Harry in with only a minimal understanding of what she was doing: only that she was fulfilling a protective spell cast by her sister by taking him in and that doing so will save his life.



This paragraph raises a question in my mind. We know that Vernon and Petunia acted as though she didn't even have a sister. I don't know when Petunia married Vernon in relation to Lily marrying James, but either way I don't see the two couples double dating.

The question: When did Petunia hear them talking about dementors? Did James come to spend time at the Evans's, as Hermione sometimes spends some of vacation at the Weasley's? Where else would she have heard James Potter speaking about them or even see him?

The question: When did Petunia hear them talking about dementors? Did James come to spend time at the Evans's, as Hermione sometimes spends some of vacation at the Weasley's? Where else would she have heard James Potter speaking about them or even see him?
I got the impression that James came to stay at the Evans' house.

I got the impression that James came to stay at the Evans' house.

That's very interesting. I wonder how much more Petunia knows...

I can also see Petunia not caring much for the idea that Lily had James and she was stuck with... Vernon. :evil:

JKR has said that "Harry has his shortest stay at Privet Drive yet." Does anyone else find this indicative of 'desperate circumstances' arising on Privet Drive yet again, which could cause one of the Dursleys to do magic and the Order to pull Harry out of the house and bring him back to headquarters? But this seems too repetitive of book five...

I think it will be Petunia. What will Vernon think?

It could also be that Petunia is still a muggle, but she is born of a family which produced a witch, so perhaps she has the capacity to use it when it is in connection with her family.

I'm also remembering that Petunia has a history with DD, so perhaps he left her with a one-time use charm or ability for Harry's protection. She may not have any clue how it works or why, but she knows under certain circumstances, she is to use it. The last of the bloodline that held the love that saved Harry is carried in Petunia (I don't think it survived in Duds), so maybe her blood connection to Harry makes her able to use certain charms to protect him.

I sure would like to see Aunt Pet whip around and shoot a big old Patronus out of her hidden wand, only to see Vernon and Duds running like mad away from a fierce, totally different Petunia. :rotfl:

I really like the idea of DD leaving Petunia with some kind of muggle do it yourself one-time charm.

The idea that Petunia is a squib passing as muggle, and that is what DD is holding over her is very appealing (and my daughter like this theory). But we have been told over and over that Lily is muggleborn. If they come from a wizarding family it changes a lot of the dynamics about Harry being half-blood like LV, etc. It also diminishes the importance of Lily's muggle heritage.

So if Petunia doesn't have a kind of one-time charm, then I vote for Arabella Figg since she is supposed to look out for Harry.

I never read the actual quote and I'm really suprised that she said that in 1999. It obviously will be important, considering she had already decided it 5 years ago and she has written about it yet.
I think it could be Dudley, but I'm pretty sure it will be Petunia. There is a lot more to her than we know.
I can't wait!!!!!

I don't see it being petunia or figg...i mean it's half blood prince right? not princess.

I don't see it being petunia or figg...i mean it's half blood prince right? not princess.

The half blood prince doesn't have to be the one to develop magic late in life. In fact, the half-blood prince will probably go to Hogwarts or be tied to Hogwarts in some way (i.e. Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and all the other founders; Tom Riddle [although i seriously doubt its him])

I think that the one to develop magic late in life will be someone that will help Harry and give a new twist in the story, like Sirius being Harry's godfather in book 3.

Petunia seems the most likely to be a squib. She says she hates Wizards, magic and the like, but she was in touch with Dumbledore, and she knew information about the dementors and Azkaban.

Petunia seems the most likely to be a squib. She says she hates Wizards, magic and the like, but she was in touch with Dumbledore, and she knew information about the dementors and Azkaban.

Hi, Stephie, my daughter's name is Stephie. The squib theory is very appealing (and my Stephie likes the squib theory), but I do think it changes the stories' dynamics too much. The only way it could work, is if we were to find out that James wasn't pureblood. Because I think that Harry can't have pureblooded ancestors. I guess Lily could have been a half and half. I think a child that wasn't magical from this marriage would still be a squib. Or even better Petunia was expelled.

After re-reading the first chapter of OotP, I noticed that Petunia got a fearful look when Harry mentioned that Voldemort is back, almost as if she knew exactly what happened the first time. There is a lot that we don't know about her. "REMEMBER MY LAST, PETUNIA", was what the howler stated. I think the last thing that Dumbledore told her was that if Harry was discovered that she and her family would be in danger of Voldemort. If that is the case, then it is possible that Petunia would do magic to save her family if for some reason Harry is found there by Voldemort. Does Harry have a secret keeper? Is that why he is able to stay at the Dursley's under protection? If so, who could the secret keeper be?

Sorry, I know I am going a bit off topic with this, but that is what I understand from that chapter. Like I said, and you all know, there is a lot that we don't know about Petunia. I think that she is also going to be the key to finding out about Lily and James and what happened with them.

What do you think?

After re-reading the first chapter of OotP, I noticed that Petunia got a fearful look when Harry mentioned that Voldemort is back, almost as if she knew exactly what happened the first time. There is a lot that we don't know about her. "REMEMBER MY LAST, PETUNIA", was what the howler stated. I think the last thing that Dumbledore told her was that if Harry was discovered that she and her family would be in danger of Voldemort. If that is the case, then it is possible that Petunia would do magic to save her family if for some reason Harry is found there by Voldemort. Does Harry have a secret keeper? Is that why he is able to stay at the Dursley's under protection? If so, who could the secret keeper be?

Sorry, I know I am going a bit off topic with this, but that is what I understand from that chapter. Like I said, and you all know, there is a lot that we don't know about Petunia. I think that she is also going to be the key to finding out about Lily and James and what happened with them.

What do you think?i kinda agree.she knows more then she lets on

Is there any reason it couldn't be Neville? He really hasn't done that much magic to begin with...

Shauna

Is there any reason it couldn't be Neville? He really hasn't done that much magic to begin with...

Shauna
true true
and he must get a new wand

Barnes and Noble Interview March 1999
Will there be, or have there been, any "late blooming" students in the school who come into their magic potential as adults, rather than as children?

No, is the answer. In my books, magic almost always shows itself in a person before age 11; however, there is a character who does manage in desperate circumstances to do magic quite late in life, but that is very rare in the world I am writing about.
The quote included the phrases "quite late in life under desperate circumstances".

Neville isn't quite late in life. And he is managing to do better anyway. And Dudley isn't late in life either.

The candidates are Arabella Figg, Argus Filch, and Petunia Dursley. I would be interested in any other muggles or squibs folks can suggest.

I can so imagine an attack on Privet Dr. Harry begins to pull out his wand, but before he can even remove it from his pocket the attacker/s are all laying unconcious on the ground. Vernon and Dudley (if they are still alive, which personally, I'm not rooting for) are staring, terrified at Petunia who is looking at Harry for some reassurance because there is no denying the fact that she just performed a rather powerful bit of unintentional magic.

Obviously, my vote is for Petunia, but I like her. Can't explain why. I always have and I've always felt certain that one day she and Harry will come to an understanding. They don't hate each other; they just haven't a clue what to do with eachother.

I want Petunia, but it struck me as funny how Mrs. Figg was constantly telling Harry about how unmagical she was, every other sentence was something along the lines of "never so much as transfigured a teabag". If it's Petunia, I'll laugh, imagine Uncle Vernon's face. Traffic lights. :p

I think it will be Petunia.

1. She was jealous of her sister's powers.
2. she already has links to the magical world.
3. It would be so funny :p.

...I think it could possibly be filch. He was taking that quick spell course in the second year. It may be possible for squibs to gain some magic, since filch was trying. if he had lived in the magic community his whole life, he probably knew if it was possible to or not. He doesn't seem to be the type of person who would try something if there wasn't some outcome.

This could explain two things JKR has said, one about the person developing magic, but also that something small in book 2 would be bigger in book 6. It makes sense that including material explaining Filch's past would fit in the context of 2, but that it also could be excluded without losing much.

And personally, I am leaning towards Filch as the HBP, and this is why.

I think it might be petunia

About Petunia being a squib....

Somewhere, in one of the earlier books (You can tell I'm really well informed ;) ) Someone mentions a squib is the opposite of a muggle-born. Meaning Squibs are born to pure-blood (or perhaps nearly) families. After all, a squib is just the name for a muggle out of a wizard family It isn't a name for a completely new mix of wizard/muggle.

Jkr: however, there is a character who does manage in desperate circumstances to do magic quite late in life, but that is very rare in the world I am writing about. I think you are probably right, it is quite likely to be Petunia. Notice how JKR says they will use it in DESPERATE CIRCUMSTANCES. Maybe LV will go to Privet Drive and Petunia will need to use her new abilities there?

I imagine the two most likely candiates are Petunia or Mrs. Figgs.

By saying that situation that this person uses magic is under dire circumstances, that suggests that whatever this circumstance is, that it is not in the wizarding world. It seems Harry would be surrounded by muggles (or squibs, whichever the case may be).

So, in the nearby area of #4, we have
A. Petunia - I think that there is definitely more to Petunia than meets the eye. I'm not quite sure what it may be, but she definitely has much more knowledge of the wizarding world than she cares to let on. Dumbledore's letter to her doesn't seem to quite explain the extent of her knowledge as shown in OotP. Not only was she NOT surprised to get an owl herself, but she knew EXACTLY what the Howler meant. (I can't wait til WE know the COMPLETE story of it)). Dumbledore's letter when he left baby Harry (can't wait to hear what was in THAT too) doesn't seem enough to explain the terror and comprehension she exhibited at the mention of LV's rising again, and the dementors. I know there are a lot of theories about Petunia, I don't know what is true about her, but I do feel secure in saying that there is a lot that we will learn about her in the upcoming books.

2. Mrs Figgs - She lives 2 blocks away from #4 Privet, and obviously is there because it leaves her in a good position to keep an eye on Harry. I don't quite understand why DD would leave a squib to such an important job since she couldn't preform magic if there were a dire circumstance. I suppose it could simply be that no one from the magic world wanted to live as a muggle for 10 years, although, with Harry's popularity, I imagine SOMEONE would have volunteered. But, that's another topic. Mrs. Figgs is guarding Harry at Dumbledore's request, and he is very good at what he does, and I'm sure he had a very good reason for choosing her. I actually imagine that was quite an honor, as Harry was quite a celebrity. I suppose some would say that a Squib has a better chance of performing some magic under dire circumstance than a muggle (Petunia?). If something threatens Harry, worse than a dementor, perhaps her protective instincts kick in and she performs magic and doesn't even realize how she did it. Like all the things Harry did before he knew he was magic (growing his hair back, the snake glass, landing on the school chimney, turning his teachers hair blue :rotfl: ) he did those things and had no idea how they happened.

I suppose I could throw a con out for both.
Petunia - if she truly is from a muggle family, the chances of 2 children having magic abilities (like the Creevey brothers, who make me wonder..haha) is quite rare. But, maybe somewhere in Lily and Petunia's family someone did have magical abilities. I can't wait to find out...I'm getting impatient.

Mrs. Figg - if she were going to discover magic, I wonder why it didn't appear when Harry was getting attacked by the dementors? I guess that could be explained by the fact that Harry was quite capable of handling it himself, although Mrs. Figg did say she was told to make sure Harry did NO magic.

I guess I'm arguing both sides of the people here. Just trying to work through it myself.

Of course there is always Filtch. He seems less likely to me because although he is around a lot by himself on the grounds at Hogwarts, there are just so many wizards/witches watching Harry there (he is supposed to be VERY well protected at Hogwarts) that it is hard to imagine Filtch being in a situation where he has to save Harry. Of course, JKR is brilliant enough to pull that off, but it doesn't seem like it would add as much to the story as if it were Petunia or Mrs. Figgs. I actually think Petunia would add the most to the story, and hopefully explain her a bit more.

So, in summary, I think it is is either Petunia or Mrs. Figgs :p

Dumbledore's letter to her doesn't seem to quite explain the extent of her knowledge as shown in OotP. Not only was she NOT surprised to get an owl herself, but she knew EXACTLY what the Howler meant. (I can't wait til WE know the COMPLETE story of it)). Dumbledore's letter when he left baby Harry (can't wait to hear what was in THAT too) doesn't seem enough to explain the terror and comprehension she exhibited at the mention of LV's rising again, and the dementors. I know there are a lot of theories about Petunia, I don't know what is true about her, but I do feel secure in saying that there is a lot that we will learn about her in the upcoming books. Thats a very good point - that one letter she received from Dumbledore years ago is surely not enough to explain the look of terror on Petunia's face when she hears that LV is back. Its safe to say that Petunia knows her sister died at the hand of Voldemort, but I don't feel the knowledge of that is enough to explain her reaction. (OOTP, p.39) Her large, pale eyes (so unlike her sister's) were not narrowed in disklike or anger, they were wide and fearful. The furious pretence that Aunt Petunia had maintained all Harry's life - that there was no magic and no world other than the world she in habited with Uncle Vernon - seemed to have fallen away.
Personally I think that if LV were to come to Privet Drive, and the lives of Dudley and Vernon were at risk, Petunia would be desperate enough for any latent magical ability to express itself.
Having said that, one of my pet theories (with not a lot of facts to back it up, I'm afraid!) is that Hogwarts will come under attack. And I think Filch would be prepared to go to extrodinary lengths to protect the castle.

I just finished listening to COS on CD (US), and happened to notice something. The CDs came in 2 sleeves with 4 CDs each. When you open the second sleeve, you see the advert for Kwikspells that Harry found on Filch's desk. I don't know if she had any input, but few things are actually coincidental in JKR's books. Food for thought.

I have to believe it is Petunia. Perhaps she and Lilly were raised by Wizards, but it says too many times in the text and acknowledged by DD that Lilly's parents were muggle so I do not buy into the theory Petunia is a squib. I do not think Hermione's parents know that much about whats going on in the magical world. Remember in PS/SS were Neville says his family was concerned because he might not have been enough magic to come to Hogwarts, Perhaps this is the case with Petunia....This is why she is jealous of Lilly....Just think if Lilly is a latent witch, that makes Dudley a Half-blood!

And I want it to be Petunia, because it will be the funniest scenerio.

Petunia would only do it to save Duddy-kins so it seems less likely that there would be a wand lying about.

Petunia would be a great person to learn magic late in life. Their doesn't have to be a wand lying about. It could be uncontrolled magic. Plus she could end up saving Harry not Dudley. I think that because Harry and Petunia are growng more and more alike. Petunia is the only person Harry can relate to in his family the most. It would also suck if she didn't learn magic and she would be a great way to start learning about Lily more.

Another reason to consider Petunia:

I'm inclined to think that Vernon Dursley had no idea of Petunia's ties to the wizarding world until after Harry was dropped on their doorstep. In PS/SS, Vernon notices the unusual people acting strangely, but the only thing that ties these bizarre events with himself is the recognition of Harry's name. Vernon, at that point, was probably aware that Petunia had a sister named Lily who was married to James Potter, but it is very unlikely that Vernon ever met Lily or James or knew anything about them.

After Harry was left on their doorstep with an obviously long and detailed letter from Dumbledore, Vernon became aware of Petunia's link with these strange people. Whatever happened between Petunia and Vernon at that point was resolved in the decision to try and beat the magic out of Harry, and Petunia did her part by ignoring the existence of her sister (as best she could with Harry around to remind her) and that world.

Vernon wants nothing to do with the wizarding world. He is altogether biased against magic. In fact, I would argue (given his reaction to Mad-Eye Moody at King's Cross in the end of OotP) that he is terrified of magic. Petunia, however, was at some point curious about magic, but in an attempt to save her marriage and her son she became vehemently against magic of any kind and repressed any curiousity she may have had. And yet she kept Harry (showing that she does not hate her family and is capable of kindness), while emphasizing her already strong dislike for the magical community. Remember that we still don't know quite why Petuina decided to keep Harry.

JKR has said that the character she hates the most is Vernon Dursley. He has an utter fear and loathing of all things abnormal. He is abusive to Harry and repressive to Petunia.

Now imagine: Petunia shows a magical talent after years of going on about how she hates wizards and considers her sister a freak. Now imagine Vernon's reaction. It is altogether likely that Vernon would kick Petunia and Harry out of the house. It would certainly be something that would certainly end Petunia and Vernon's marriage.

Seeing how much JKR hates Vernon Dursley, I imagine she would be more than happy to see Harry and Petunia free of him.

I say it is Petunia too. Actually, I think Petunia knows a lot more about magic than we think. And her house is always so spotlessly clean, maybe she uses some kind of charm when no one is looking.

Well, Petunia wouldn't help Harry if she did have magic , so it's probably not her.
The way JK puts it implies that the person is in a desperate situation(or at least it does to me)and I agree w/MollyWeasley22 that Filch proabably would have a nervous breakdown if it was him, not that i'm ruling him out(remember that Spell course he wanted to take), but i think Miss Figg would be the most likely, what if Harry passed out or something, and she picked up the wand and did something.

sorry that sounds so irrational but it makes sense in my head, i can't really explain the Petunia explination any better than that in writing

Hey I was just reading and realized i missed some of the quotes up there, but CODSWALLOP, wouldn't she be on the list of magical kids if she had any magical ability, and then again if she really is considered a witch, DUDLEY COULD BE THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE!(UNFORTUNATELY) but hey , that's just a guess

I think it's Petunia. I don't have a theory to back this up but something tells me it's her!

Quote:
Question: Will there be, or have there been, any "late blooming" students in the school who come into their magic potential as adults, rather than as children? By the way, I loved meeting you, and hearing you speak, when you came to Anderson's in Naperville. I can hardly wait until you tour again.

Ahhh! I loved the event at Anderson's. It was one of my favorites. That is completely true. No, is the answer. In my books, magic almost always shows itself in a person before age 11; however, there is a character who does manage in desperate circumstances to do magic quite late in life, but that is very rare in the world I am writing about.

Source: Barnes and Noble Chat: March 1999.


I am wondering about quite late in life, I suppose this elimanites Dudley. In rereading OOP the other day during the Dementor attack, Dudley covered his face....so we really do not know if he saw the Dementors.

I read somewhere ..... I can't remeber where at the moment .... that people who keep things really clean are trying to conceal magical powers. There are several refereneces in the books that Petunia's household is always spotless. I could buy it with just one or two referneces to cleantheness, but not as many exist in the books. As someone once suggested a cigar is never a cigar in JKR's world, especially if it is repeated.

Petunia knows a bit too much about the magic world for being a muggle in my opinion as well. Yes, she could have learned it from her sister and James, but that, however, doesn't convince me totally. I think Petunia has developed magical powers and is trying to hide her abilities for some reason. Perhaps, as someone said earlier, this is what DD is holding over her head.

I am wondering about quite late in life, I suppose this elimanites Dudley.

Well, Neville tells someone (Harry?) that he didn't show any signs of magic until he was eigh years old and that his family was worried he might turn out to be a Squib until then. So, from what I gathered, it's late at age eight so it would have to be late at sixteen.

I was just wondering... As far as the canadates, the only one really really protecting Harry is Petunia. I'd wager the protection goes both ways and Harry is inadvertantly protecting his aunt, if not the whole family.

Even though, given VM speach in GOF, it sounds like he understands this and therefore is unlikely to risk repeating history by attempting to harm the Dursleys, and the DEs present would have an idea not to mess with Harry at Number 4, there were those of his most loyal supporters who didn't hear the speech.

It doesn't sound like the DEs socialize much. VM wanted complete control...

My point is, what if one of the missing DEs, ignortant of the strength of blood charm, decided to gain more favor in VM's eyes by offing the Dursley's and it backfired? There could be this big mess with Vernon, Dudley, and Mr. DE dead, but Petunia survives somehow. She and Harry now have matching scars (to her horror) and, remember what happened when VM tried to kill Harry? He transfered some of his powers into Harry. That very occurance could be the way Petunia comes into magic late in life... Especcially if she's been repressing any ability she may or may not already possess. Could jump-start things out of her control a bit.

Just a therory.


p.s. The super-clean thing was a way the sister of the family wizzard dealt with the fact she too possessed magic in the book "The Haunting".

I was just wondering... As far as the canadates, the only one really really protecting Harry is Petunia. I'd wager the protection goes both ways and Harry is inadvertantly protecting his aunt, if not the whole family.

Technically couldn't Dudley protect harry since they are "Blood" relatives on Harry's mother side.

I don't know if I could see Dudley protecting Harry though, it seems as if he's always out for himself. As for Petunia she's got me totally baffled. But I think it could be her...

I don't know if I could see Dudley protecting Harry though, it seems as if he's always out for himself. As for Petunia she's got me totally baffled. But I think it could be her...

As I understand it, it is all magical because of his mothers Blood. Dudley would not need to do anything per se but allow Harry "Room and Board" so I think Dudley could protect Harry just as Petunia. Just a thought.....

It's possible, but I can't see Dudley feeling any reason is good enough to offer Harry a place to stay. See, I beleieve on some level Petunia feels obligated to do so, but there is no such bond between Harry and his cousin. If anything, Dudley probably resents Harry more for just being born and being his cousin out of all the other cousins in the world he might have had...

This might sound a little strange, but I just like Petunia. Have no explanation for it. I mean she's not written to be likable, but I can't help it. However, JK has set her up as the most likeley canidate simply by taking a consistantly two-dimesional character throughout the first four books and adding that third demension so suddenly and at such an opportune point in the story everyone who reads the discussion of dementors scene does a double take.

Mrs. Figg was a Sirius Black in a way. One of those characters who was a name until the time came to actually make her a character, but once we really meet her face to face, she's not missing that deeper dimension, she's simply still somewhat of a stranger.

I would have to say that it would probably be petunia, dudley would be fun, it would be hillarious to see what he thinks if it!.... :lol:... but im not sure i guess..

It's possible, but I can't see Dudley feeling any reason is good enough to offer Harry a place to stay. See, I beleieve on some level Petunia feels obligated to do so, but there is no such bond between Harry and his cousin. If anything, Dudley probably resents Harry more for just being born and being his cousin out of all the other cousins in the world he might have had...

Remember that Petunia had to take Harry into her home to seal the charm that Dumbledore performed. I think this particular bit of magic is between Harry and Petunia and wouldn't be passed down to Dudley.

I think it would be Petunia. She fights so hard against the magical world but look at what she says in OoP.


__________________________________________________ _______________
"To the well organized mind, death is but the next great adventure."-Albus Dumbledore

Oh it's most likely Petunia, and she is liable to already know. She may be so afraid of Vernon or too ashamed to reveal it. I think she'll be forced to defend a family member and her emotions will get the best of her like Harry's did at the Zoo or with Aunt Marge.

Please can it be Dudley. Given his personality he's bound to be sorted into Slytherin and we know what they think of "mudbloods."

Thanks for making me laugh Mundungus! ;)

I can't really say who the late developer is. I'm reasonably certain it won't be Filch and I don't think it will be Mrs Figg. I'm also almost certain it won't be Uncle Vernon. To me, that pretty much narrows it down to Dudley or Aunt Petunia. Of the two, Petunia is the more obvious given that she had a witch as a sister and that she has some knowledge of the magical world. I would not, however, rule out Dudley. While Jo did say the person would do magic quite late in life, this could still include Dudley since the vast majority of those with any degree of magic do something odd before they turn 11, most doing more than one thing, so 16 (or even later) would be quite late in life.

I'm not quite sure which of the two will do magic, but I do think it's Dudley or Petunia.

I definately believe it will be Petunia. It may be nice to see Dudley in that position.. but lets face it, I believe it would be VERY hard to write Dudley into Hogwarts. So much of the book would have to focus on Dudley becoming accustomed to Hogwarts that it may as well be it's own series. I would much rather focus on the coming war and (possibly) how Dudley and Vernon will react to his mother being a member of the wizard community, especially as a mirror to how mudbloods are treated in the wizarding community.

I was thinking Petunia or Filch. We do know that Filch is actively studying magic (via the KwikSpell course) so maybe that's a clue that he'll "learn" some small amount of magic at some point.

I think either Petunia or someone else we wouldnt think of will get power late in life

I'm sold on Petunia too, but even if it isn't she who works magic late in life, I hope something at least happens with her character.

i also think it's petunia because i think there is something different about her. how much ever she may try to hate magic and everything to do with it, i think that she can never loathe it as much as vernon or dudley. i think its because of the ties (direct or indirect) she had with it. so how much ever she may have tried to avoid it, she learnt a bit about the wizarding world.
i think she might have the whole one-time only magic moment.
hope this made sense :rolleyes:

I think either Petunia or someone else we wouldnt think of will get power late in life

I think you may just be correct. ;)

Since we have very few muggles/squibs that we KNOW of in the books, are choices are prtty limited. Let's see who we know to be muggle or squib.

1. Petunia Dursley

2. Vernon Dursley

3. Dudley Dursley

4. Mr. Granger

5. Mrs. Granger

6. Filch

7. Mrs. Figgs

I can't think of any others. Feel free to update the list if you think of anyone else. From there, it seems highly unlikely that it would be one of the Grangers, as we really don't know their characters at all, and they don't seem like they would be likely to get pulled into the books at this late date in time. It doesn't fit. Vernon seems pretty highly unlikely as well.

I think the 3 most likely are Petunia (my choice), Mrs. Figgs and Filch. The reason I stick with Petunia is she seems to have MUCH more knowledge of the magical world than she lets on. Im not going to go into all the reasons now, as they've all been mentioned repeatedly throughout this thread and others about Petunia. But, it seems obvious that there is more in store for her character since before the end of the series, including, hopefully, a more detailed explaination of "Remember my last" I see her character becoming much more important, but maybe it's just me having lots of questions that would be easily answered through her character.

Mrs. Figgs - I think she has played her part in this series, in that her main contribution to the stories was watching over Harry for the 10 years with the Dursleys, and then being in the Privet Drive area when the dementors attacked and then testifying for him. I don't see her as someone who could possibly bring a lot more to the table. Let's face it, we only have 2 books left to the series and LOTS of questions that JKR will hopefully tie up. Petunia could bring a lot to the table and a lot of questions about Lily's past could be answered through her character. I don't see Mrs. Figgs as having a lot more to add.

Filch - if not Petunia, I'm rooting for Filch. I find him vile and nasty. His obsession with wanting to punish people makes me find him extremely horrible. (Could tie into my profession too... but I think he's intended to be horrible). Yet, he's always present in all the books, and he has a lot of knowledge about Hogwarts. Since we know a war is breaking out, and I feel there will be at least one battle at Hogwarts (or FOR Hogwarts, as foreshadowed by Hagrid in SS), Filch could easily be somewhere very important, and maybe in a moment of absolute despair for others, Filch might save the day. Maybe it will redeem him and show that he isn't ALL vile and bad. Even though I hate him, I'll admit he does seem to play by the rules. He may not LIKE DD's rules about not torturing the kids, he DOES follow the rules, no matter how much he complains. He did get positively giddy when Umbridge signed her "Education Decree" allowing him to torture the kids, but he has never attempted that under DD's ruling.

Anyhow, that's where I'm at with those late blooming talent. :)

I believe that the late blooming wizard will be none other than Argus Filch. It would make since because JK said that she would most of the Half-blood prince's plot out of the Chamber of Secrets, and in the COS we learn that Argus is a squib, so maybe the two facts are related. I could be horribly wrong though, and I probably am, but whatcha going do? :shrug:

I'd love it to be Petunia. As someone was saying before, her knowledge of the wizarding world for someone who claims to want nothing to do with it is pretty fishy. . .

However, my thoughts are that Filch is a more likely candidate.

I'm going with everyone else and saying Pertunia because she did know an awful lot about dementors.

I think we wil find out a whole lot more about Petunia in the next 2 books. What do we know of Lily and Petunia's parents? Were they muggles - magical? one of both? Could Petunia be a squib and was she ashamed of not being able to perform magic so she turned her back on the wizard world?

I would think she is the only likely candidate since JK says it will happen in desperate measures. we don't know any of the other characters well enough and Petunia would be desperate to save her family if something were threatening them.

I, too, feel that Petunia is the most likely candidate, but I don't think her knowledge of dementors is fishy. It has been established in the first four books that she is a woman that loves to learn secrets and pry into other's affairs. I consder her story that she overheard James talking to Lilly about them most likely true, as I see her eager to learn any dirt she could on the sister for whom she had so much resentment (and probably jealousy/envy.)

What we really should do is comb through the first four books, looking for subtle hints of magic around Aunt Petunia. Look for her seeming to know (to Harry) what's going to happen before it does or something like that. If Joanne intends to make her reveal here-to-fore unknown or repressed magical abilities, she is thurough enough to have likely included a few subtle hints in one of the already-published books.

good point

What we really should do is comb through the first four books, looking for subtle hints of magic around Aunt Petunia. Look for her seeming to know (to Harry) what's going to happen before it does or something like that.

How about when Aunt Marge's glass explodes and she says something about it happening at someone else's house. I can't remember the exact scene.

How about Neville, He does magic, but not very well. He only really started to improve in the DA. Maybe he'll come up in the end, when it really counts and do something amazing.

He's already 'bloomed' as a wizard, though. She didn't say "a late-blooming good witch or wizard."

I think that late in life can be later than normal which starts at 11 or later than others meaning it develops a little slower than others or it can be literal and mean someone whoo is a lot older than your standard wizarding student. Therefore it could be Dudley because he would be later than others which is still late. It could be Petunia because she is so much older than the students. I think that if it is someone who is developing later than others that it does not mena someone like Neville who is getting better. I think learning means discovering and learning magic.

I'm throwing my money down for Petunia. I agree it could ne Dudley though.

I wanted to go back and re-read exactly what JKR said about the late blooming witch/wizard to see if it helped at all. I thought it was worth re-posting.

Q - Will there be, or have there been, any "late blooming" students in the school who come into their magic potential as adults, rather than as children? By the way, I loved meeting you, and hearing you speak, when you came to Anderson's in Naperville. I can hardly wait until you tour again.

Ahhh! I loved the event at Anderson's. It was one of my favorites. That is completely true. No, is the answer. In my books, magic almost always shows itself in a person before age 11; however, there is a character who does manage in desperate circumstances to do magic quite late in life, but that is very rare in the world I am writing about.

(Bolding and italics done by me)

This doesn't necessarily imply that the person is from magical blood. So, even if Petunia does not turn out to be a squib, and really is pure muggle, the wording of this quote doesn't rule her out at all. And, it doesn't seem to mean that the person will be able to continue doing magic, it sounds, IMO, like it is a one time shot. Not that this helps us know who it is, or rule anyone out from the list I posted last night, but it's still interesting to keep it in context.

I dunno, after what happened with the Dementors we could have Dudley feeling as if he ows Harry something, much like Wormtail and Harry's bond type thing.

Well, I have some ideas floating around in my head that I'd like to share. I thought I'd just throw my theory out there a/b what possibly could happen. Knowing full and well I have a/b a 1 and a billion shot of being right.

So, Rowling stated that it is to be Harry's shortest stay at the Dursley's house in book 6. Perhaps, Voldemort or his henchmen (DE's) decide to take a little trip to 4 Privet Drive to create havoc on Harry (even if he can't kill him due to the protection, maybe he can stir things up, lure Harry out of the house or something). Well, Dudley gets in harms way and his over-protective mother throws caution to the wind and chooses to use the powers she has been supressing for so long. Then, Harry, no longer feeling like the Dursley's home is a safe place, has to take off, maybe back to the burrow or even Grimmauld Place, which may or may not be abandoned, depending on whether or not the Order still resides there.

Like I said, the likelihood of all that happening is slim to none, but it does give possible answers on who the late bloomer is and why Harry has such a short stay at the Dursley's home.

I think that Petunia is the late bloomer and the only instance that I can see her using magic is if "Duddy-kins" is in danger, so this theory is the best I can come up with to support that. Plus, if Dudley is in danger, that means that most likely Harry is to since he lives with them, so that would be ample reason for him to high tail it out of there. And maybe Rowling could use that opportunity to somehow explain what Dudley saw during the Dementor attack.


The only other possibility for late bloomer (in my mind) would be Dudley. Afterall, his aunt (Lily Potter) had the ability to use magic, despite supposedly being a mudblood (I feel like I'm cursing when I say that word). Perhaps he has a trace of magic in his blood too. I'm sure he is fed up with the magical world after all the things he's experienced b/c of it. (ex: ton-tongues, pig tail, snake set loose, aunt blown up like a balloon, dementor attack, etc.) Maybe he gets fed up with it, gets a hold of Harrys wand, finds out he is more than just a food processor and tries to take out Harry, which he feels is respondsible for all the mishaps he's had with magic in the past...and because he's jealous.

Once again people, just making guesses, thought i'd share in case anyone found them interesting.

Some funny at the Dursley's:

*The unnatural cleanliness
*Treatment of Harry (explained)
*Treatment of Dudley (unexplained)
*Moody's comment at the end of OOP, I could write a book about what know don't know. (in refenence to what happens under Uncle Vernon's roof)
*the acknowledgement in OOP that Harry's two worlds have become one
*Petunia's advance knowledge of wizarding world.

There are two very easy solutions, either Petunia is a witch or a Latent witch, In which case, (pardon the pun) Dudley is a half-blood or latent wizard or both There does not seem to be any indication that Muggle-borns have magic show up in different generations, we see it with the same generation, the creevy brothers, but do not know if this is an aborition.
Other possiblities, while intriguing, just don't fit as well with the story line:

Mrs. Figg
Mr. Filch

Everyone so far has been talking about muggles or squibs. What about someone with less magical ability, like Neville? He calls himself "practically a squib" and has trouble with even very simple spells. What if it was possible that he is just a "late bloomer" and came into his full potential when he was older - such as, becoming powerful enough to perform the Avada Kedavra, or Cruciatus, curse on, say, Bellatrix? That would be cool...

im bettn on a new character, as many of you said, or what strider said about hagrid

he left quite early and he can do a little amount of magic...what interests me was in JKRs site, in the rumours section, there was an ad for madame madkins for LARGER THAN AVERAGE ROBES...hmmm who fits THAT description but someone who is LARGER THAN AVERAGE...
{but id rather it be Petunia the horse faced aunt}

Everyone so far has been talking about muggles or squibs. What about someone with less magical ability, like Neville? He calls himself "practically a squib" and has trouble with even very simple spells. What if it was possible that he is just a "late bloomer" and came into his full potential when he was older - such as, becoming powerful enough to perform the Avada Kedavra, or Cruciatus, curse on, say, Bellatrix? That would be cool...

Here is the question and answer quoted exactly as is from JKR

Q - Will there be, or have there been, any "late blooming" students in the school who come into their magic potential as adults, rather than as children?

No, is the answer. In my books, magic almost always shows itself in a person before age 11; however, there is a character who does manage in desperate circumstances to do magic quite late in life, but that is very rare in the world I am writing about.

(Bolding and italics done by me). I am sticking with the muggle/squib theory simply because JKR does not use the term "late bloomer", rather that is the person that asked the question. From what JKR states it seems more like someone with NO magical abilities manages a one time "burst of magic" if you will, when put into a dire situation. Even a "weak" wizard has some magical skills. (Although I don't consider Neville weak, I've seen him used as an example many times, and he has been said to be quite strong at Herbology). Point is, if you are a wizard/witch, you have to have some skills, which doesn't seem to fit in with what JKR said. Hope that made sense. :)

I personally cheer for professor Lockhart, because as I can remember he wasn’t very good at casting spells. Or to be more exact – he wasn’t very good at anything EXCEPT memory-charms. So although he is stuck in the hospital there is a slight hope that he is getting better;)
P.S. and what is more – being demented means being in desperate circumstances, doesn’t it?

Based on the fact that JK said once she genuinly hates Vernon, I'd say Petunia... and Vernon would try to take Dudley away from her like. I know it's a long shot but it does make sense, so far Vernon has been as bad as Petunia and she is the one related to harry so... something must happens that makes Vernon the real *******.

Lough Gabrha wrote
being demented means being in desperate circumstances, doesn’t it?

according to my dictionary "out of one's mind: insane: suffering from dementia"

Lough Gabrha wrote
being demented means being in desperate circumstances, doesn’t it?

harry did not fair well his first encounter with a dementor either, remember.

Sori, english not to be my mother and tongue. What I meant was that suffering from amnesia can be called "desperate circumstances".

I read somewhere ..... I can't remeber where at the moment .... that people who keep things really clean are trying to conceal magical powers.
Someone else who is obsessed with cleaning/cleanliness is Filch. In CoS, he was irate at Harry for muddying his just cleaned floor after a particularly rainy Quidditch practise. And what was the big prank the twins played on him in OotP? Creating a swamp on one of the floors!!!

Mrs. Figg was a Sirius Black in a way. One of those characters who was a name until the time came to actually make her a character, but once we really meet her face to face, she's not missing that deeper dimension, she's simply still somewhat of a stranger.
It would be great if it was Mrs. Figg because she would be able to get back at Mundungus for leaving his watch in OotP!! Think about it -- she was beating him with a bag full of cat food, so what extreme would she go to if she suddenly had magic powers?

I don't think that it will be Voldemort and DE's showing up to create Havok because the protection Harry has there is that smae that Protected Lily and James. But where Pettigrew was secret keeper there and told the location of the home Dumbledore is the secret keeper for Harry's home with the Dursley's.
Pettigrew was to only weak point before. That is why Harry has to go home at least once a year and why they all told him to stay in the house after the dementor attack.

Originally Posted by lupislune
I read somewhere ..... I can't remeber where at the moment .... that people who keep things really clean are trying to conceal magical powers.

Or perhaps washing the guilt away.....

Good point!

I cant remember, is the late blooming witch/wizard fact or rumor?

Question: Will there be, or have there been, any "late blooming" students in the school who come into their magic potential as adults, rather than as children? By the way, I loved meeting you, and hearing you speak, when you came to Anderson's in Naperville. I can hardly wait until you tour again.

Ahhh! I loved the event at Anderson's. It was one of my favorites. That is completely true. No, is the answer. In my books, magic almost always shows itself in a person before age 11; however, there is a character who does manage in desperate circumstances to do magic quite late in life, but that is very rare in the world I am writing about.

Source: Barnes and Noble Chat: March 1999.


(Also located at begining of thread)

Thank you codswallop. I think that's pretty interesting.
Filch or Petunia would be my guess

I was just wondering... As far as the canadates, the only one really really protecting Harry is Petunia. I'd wager the protection goes both ways and Harry is inadvertantly protecting his aunt, if not the whole family.

I think you are most definitely correct on this one. I said over on the Petunia thread that I think she must be getting something in return for keeping Harry. I (half) jokingly suggested she got a house elf, which is why her house is "unnaturally clean" but protection is probably more likely.

My point is, what if one of the missing DEs, ignortant of the strength of blood charm, decided to gain more favor in VM's eyes by offing the Dursley's and it backfired? There could be this big mess with Vernon, Dudley, and Mr. DE dead, but Petunia survives somehow. She and Harry now have matching scars (to her horror) and, remember what happened when VM tried to kill Harry? He transfered some of his powers into Harry. That very occurance could be the way Petunia comes into magic late in life... Especcially if she's been repressing any ability she may or may not already possess. Could jump-start things out of her control a bit.

Just a therory.This part I'm just not too sure about. I think Petunia is probably the most likely candidate for "a character who does manage in desperate circumstances to do magic quite late in life". I just can't seem to imagine circumstances desperate enough to make Filch do magic...he doesn't seem to care enough about anything (except Mrs. Norris) and I feel like the situation would have to be something other than saving your own skin. Figg would be my next choice, but I think the situation with dementors on Privet Drive might have qualified there, & she certainly didn't seem to show any magic in that situation.

Ahh, but Petunia.... I think the situation could be saving Dudley, which could include a similar type magic as the protection Lily gave to Harry. But what if it was actually saving Harry? If she IS being protected by the same ancient magic that is protecting Harry, she wouldn't want anything to happen to him. And I'm sure she somehow understands that Harry is the only one with a chance of defeating Voldemort, which is probably part of the reason she took him in.

And if the magic turned out to be a permanent thing, not just one-time-only, she might get to experience the same type of prejudice in the wizarding world that she & the family have shown Harry. Not to mention that Vernon & Dudley would probably start looking at her like she'd grown a 3rd eye!