Little HP Questions Answered v2

Here's a mind bender. Why didn't Voldemort use the Fidelius charm to hide his horcruxes and simply never tell anyone the secret?

What I understand of the Fidelius charm, he must trust somebody else with his secret. He can't have it within himself, but somebody of choosing. Voldemort doesn't trust anybody, so he wouldn't think of using this charm.

What I understand of the Fidelius charm, he must trust somebody else with his secret. He can't have it within himself, but somebody of choosing. Voldemort doesn't trust anybody, so he wouldn't think of using this charm.
Exactly and furthermore I'm sure that he thinks that nobody knows his secret. He probably told nobody about it. Dumbledore got his knowledge from Slughorn's memory.

Question: I believe Rowling once said something in an interview about how the hero often has to go on to his quest alone after his friends die or something of that nature. I can't remember exactly what it was but I know I read it somewhere on this board.. does anyone have a link to the interview?

Question: I believe Rowling once said something in an interview about how the hero often has to go on to his quest alone after his friends die or something of that nature. I can't remember exactly what it was but I know I read it somewhere on this board.. does anyone have a link to the interview? Yeah, I think you're talking about the Mugglenet/Leaky interview, here (http://www.mugglenet.com/jkrinterview3.shtml). That's the third page, the page it's on. And if you're looking for something in an interview I really recommend Madam Scoop's (http://www.mugglenet.com/jkrinterview3.shtml). It's so well organized that everything's very easy to find.

Thanks for the reply about Nitwit Blubber Oddment Tweak. I wanted to see if it was also an anagram in another language, then I remembered I haven't read any of the books in another language so there's no way I would know even if it was. *duh*

They had ham too & chicken. They sent it to Sirius.

Where did the Lexicon get that bit about black pudding being encased in batter?? They're in a plasticky skin like sausages.

Question: when an animagus transforms into the animal, what happens to their clothes? I'm sure if Pettigrew had transformed back naked in PoA, it would have been mentioned. So if they can keep their clothes, can they keep their wands? In which case Pettigrew could have been holding Voldy's wand for however many years it was (14?) as a rat.

(It reminds me of the Belgariad saga by David Eddings - when Garion becomes the wolf, his clothes somehow merge with him, as does his sword.)

Where did the Lexicon get that bit about black pudding being encased in batter?? They're in a plasticky skin like sausages.

Question: when an animagus transforms into the animal, what happens to their clothes? I'm sure if Pettigrew had transformed back naked in PoA, it would have been mentioned. So if they can keep their clothes, can they keep their wands? In which case Pettigrew could have been holding Voldy's wand for however many years it was (14?) as a rat.

(It reminds me of the Belgariad saga by David Eddings - when Garion becomes the wolf, his clothes somehow merge with him, as does his sword.)
I think that the clothes sort of get incorporated into their animal forms. Think of McGonagal's glasses that transform into markings around her eyes when she tranforms into a cat. And I think Rita Skeeter has some similar mention, but I don't remember it.

I have never really heard stodgy used to refer to a person though I am sure it could be :). Stodge with reference to food tends to refer to very heavy, rather tasteless food. A constant diet of, for instance, meat pies and chips would be described as 'stodgy.'
That makes sense now that you put it that way. :D

Here's a mind bender. Why didn't Voldemort use the Fidelius charm to hide his horcruxes and simply never tell anyone the secret?

From PoA, Chapter 10
"An immensely complex spell involving the magical concealment of a secret inside a single, living soul. The information is hidden inside the chosen person, or Secret-Keeper, and is henceforth impossible to find -- unless, of course, the Secret-Keeper chooses to divulge it"


Inside a SINGLE living soul. Not inside half of one, or any other faction of a soul. I think a wizard who has made a Horcrux is not able to serve as a Secret-Keeper.

Inside a SINGLE living soul. Not inside half of one, or any other faction of a soul. I think a wizard who has made a Horcrux is not able to serve as a Secret-Keeper.
I agree. Plus, why would Voldemort need a Secret Keeper? Voldemort himself doesn't believe that anyone can use legilimency against him and only he knows where his horcruxes are. I think Voldemort is arrogant enough to believe he doesn't need anyone else to keep his secret as he is fully able to keep it safe himself.

I also think that Voldemort felt that he could just keep making more horcruxes, if he checked on one and something had happened to it.
And I like the "single soul" idea a lot too.

Where in OoTP does it state Snape's age?

Where in OoTP does it state Snape's age?I don't believe it does. Rowling gave his age as 35-36 in an interview after GoF was published. His being that age in GoF fits with the general timelines. So in OotP, Snape would be 36-37. Check out the HP Lexicon's timelines (http://www.hp-lexicon.org/timeline.html) for more info.

iv got a question, so u HAVE to answer it! that's wat the forum title sayS! lol
im not sure if this has already been asked, but...

say a bogart turned into a dementor, could it still use the "kiss" on people? or not? because the bogart just takes the shape of an object, but the feeling of the dementor is still there....

It just appears to be a dementor, acts like a dementor and might also suck away your happy thoughts so it may perform a kiss... but not a very strong kiss

I've got a question... My sister showed me a strange thing, I can't find a solution for... When HP was thinking about who might have been the HBP, he said, that it could not have been his father or sirius because it was written in a time before they were at Hogwarts... But Snape was in the same year than his parents! Can anyone explain this to me???

I've got a question... My sister showed me a strange thing, I can't find a solution for... When HP was thinking about who might have been the HBP, he said, that it could not have been his father or sirius because it was written in a time before they were at Hogwarts... But Snape was in the same year than his parents! Can anyone explain this to me???

Popular belief is his mother gave him the book.

Second hand book? Seems like a reasonable explanation.

Yeah I think the idea was that the book actually belonged to Eileen Prince, Snape's mother.

Intriguing question: do you think Snape's mother put a charm on his father to make him marry her? She was described as a generally unattractive and disagreeable looking person :). Maybe that would explain why they were so unhappy..

Re the black pudding thing, we should write to the compilers of the lexicon and DEMAND that they change it! :D

She must have...

Re: black pudding

We already know about this error. It's on our list of things to fix. But feel free to email and demand that we change it. We love ot hear from people who are just as fact-fanatical as we are. We really do appareciate input. We couldn't do the Lexicon without it. :)

Steve
The Lexicon

Heh well I was being tongue in cheek really ;). But still ... black pudding accuracy is very important!! :D

Why does Harry hate Scrimgeour so much? Is it because Harry thinks of him as a real pain-in-the-neck?

I dont think Harry hates the person Scrimgeour as much as he hates the ministry Scrimgeour represents. Given Harry's history with the ministry and what Harry is essentially doing, it isnt out of place for Harry to lash out at him. Harry has never been fond of the Wizarding government.

I still want to know more about Dumbledore's hand. When Harry first asked him about how he'd injured it, he said it was a thrilling tale and he wanted to do it justice. We know the injury was connected with the ring horcrux, but did we ever find out what the thrilling tale was?

I tried searching for this here, and only found someone asking about what potion Snape was making to treat the injury. And maybe the details were somewhere in HBP and I was too focused on other details to realize it, but I can't recall where Dumbledore ever got around to telling Harry his thrilling tale.

Does anyone know?

iv got a question, so u HAVE to answer it! that's wat the forum title sayS! lol
im not sure if this has already been asked, but...

say a bogart turned into a dementor, could it still use the "kiss" on people? or not? because the bogart just takes the shape of an object, but the feeling of the dementor is still there....
I don't think so. That's like saying that Neville's boggart of Prof Snape could brew potions. I think it just takes the form in order to frighten you - meaning that Harry's reaction was probably induced by what he felt whenever a real dementor were near by though of course the boggart can probably imitate that feeling somewhat - not sure how far the deception goes really but I would assume they can't suck out your soul.

I dont think Harry hates the person Scrimgeour as much as he hates the ministry Scrimgeour represents. Given Harry's history with the ministry and what Harry is essentially doing, it isnt out of place for Harry to lash out at him. Harry has never been fond of the Wizarding government.
Add to that the fact that Scrimgeour basically wants to use Harry as a tool to make it seem as though the Ministry has things under control when they don't. Harry sees Scrimgeour as someone who is very political and not necessarily interested in following truth and facts if it's unpopular. In short, Scrimgeour is a lot like Percy Weasley!

I still want to know more about Dumbledore's hand. When Harry first asked him about how he'd injured it, he said it was a thrilling tale and he wanted to do it justice. We know the injury was connected with the ring horcrux, but did we ever find out what the thrilling tale was?

I tried searching for this here, and only found someone asking about what potion Snape was making to treat the injury. And maybe the details were somewhere in HBP and I was too focused on other details to realize it, but I can't recall where Dumbledore ever got around to telling Harry his thrilling tale.

Does anyone know?
No, we don't! :sigh: I'm hoping Dumbledore left this memory for Harry along with his pensieve in his will.

iv got a question, so u HAVE to answer it! that's wat the forum title sayS! lol
im not sure if this has already been asked, but...

say a bogart turned into a dementor, could it still use the "kiss" on people? or not? because the bogart just takes the shape of an object, but the feeling of the dementor is still there....
In the maze during the triwizard tournament, Harry meets a bogart/dementor that fell down when he tried to patronus it. That's how Harry knew that it was a boggart. So, I don't think that they have the same abilities - just enough of them to scare you, which is the purpose, of course.

Intriguing question: do you think Snape's mother put a charm on his father to make him marry her? She was described as a generally unattractive and disagreeable looking person :)
Unattractive and disagreeable people can still fall in love & get married. Trust me.

Unattractive and disagreeable people can still fall in love & get married. Trust me.

Of course. But I'd still be interested to know if people think it's a possibility :). We know that Snape's parents really didn't get along..

Of course. But I'd still be interested to know if people think it's a possibility :). We know that Snape's parents really didn't get along..
I guess you are thinking of a Merope-Elaine paralelle story. ;)Unfortunately I believe that it happens sadly much too often that people get together on free will, happily in the beginning and after a time they don't get along anymore. Just have a look at how many divorces exist.

I guess you are thinking of a Merope-Elaine paralelle story. ;)Unfortunately I believe that it happens sadly much too often that people get together on free will, happily in the beginning and after a time they don't get along anymore. Just have a look at how many divorces exist.

I agree, I think Snape suffers from a "Tom Riddle" complex. Tom hated his father because his father hated his mother, and she loved him. This hate (along with his Slytherin lineage) misguided him to hate all Muggles, and muggle-borns when not only was he one himself, but it was really his father he hated.

We know that each student is allowed to bring one animal to Hogwarts, and she tells us what most students bring, but what about the Weasley twins? What did they bring to hogwarts?

Maybe they brought nothing ..I don't think it was obligatory; after all Hermione didn't have a cat till book three :). As the Weasley family were poor and Percy only got his owl as a reward for his good, erm, OWL results (and subsequently Ron got his rat), perhaps the twins had nothing?

I still want to know more about Dumbledore's hand. When Harry first asked him about how he'd injured it, he said it was a thrilling tale and he wanted to do it justice. We know the injury was connected with the ring horcrux, but did we ever find out what the thrilling tale was?

I tried searching for this here, and only found someone asking about what potion Snape was making to treat the injury. And maybe the details were somewhere in HBP and I was too focused on other details to realize it, but I can't recall where Dumbledore ever got around to telling Harry his thrilling tale.

Does anyone know?

We are never given the details of Snape's treatment, just Dumbledore's assessment that his timely action saved Dumbledore's life. I would guess the treatment might not even have BEEN a potion. Maybe some DADA spell/countercurse. We learn in HBP that he has skills in this area as well as Potions.

If Voldermort wanted Dumbledore dead, and wasn't particularly bothered whether it was Snape or Malfoy who Did the Deed, why on earth didn't Snape kill him then?

If Voldermort wanted Dumbledore dead, and wasn't particularly bothered whether it was Snape or Malfoy who Did the Deed, why on earth didn't Snape kill him then?

Because, very probably, Voldemort wanted to punish Lucius through Draco for failing with the Prophecy mission. This is what Narcissa states on 'Spinner's End'.

Yeah that's a fair point, Linwelinid. Still ,Dumbledore was such a great wizard, 'the only one Voldermort ever feared' that I am surprised that he would be so pedantic about such a thing .. I mean, there are other ways he could have punished Narcissa and Malfoy and I would have thought he would have welcomed the chance to have Dumbledore out of the way.

But then.. I would have thought he would have welcomed the chance to have had Harry out of the way too, given that he knew the first half of the prophecy and that Harry had the power to destroy him. Why not swallow his pride and simply get someone to do an Aveda Kedavra on him at the earliest possible opportunity?

Okay another question. In book 6 Dumbledore tells Harry that the prophecy is only really relevant because he (Harry) attaches relevance to it, and that Voldermort does so too .. ie that both are fulfilling the prophecy because they believe they should. In that case, why did Dumbledore actually tell Harry what it said .. why not keep him in the dark?

If Voldermort wanted Dumbledore dead, and wasn't particularly bothered whether it was Snape or Malfoy who Did the Deed, why on earth didn't Snape kill him then?
Voldemort did not think that an underqualified wizard could do anything to a wizard such as Dumbledore. So when Malfoy would inevitably fail, Voldemort would not look bad. Snape, on the other hand, is a very potent wizard. If he killed Dumbledore, Voldemort, who had never been able to do so, would look very bad.

That doesn't make much sense ... I thought Snape believed that Voldermort WANTED him to kill Dumbledore? Why would Voldermort want that if it was going to make him look bad? :)

Voldemort would have liked to have had Dumbledore out of the way, and ALSO wanted to punish Lucius Malfoy. So, in the interests of efficiency, he sends Draco to kill Dumbledore (assuming that Draco would be killed in the process) and with little hope that Draco would succeed or Dumbledore would end up dead.

But then.. I would have thought he would have welcomed the chance to have had Harry out of the way too, given that he knew the first half of the prophecy and that Harry had the power to destroy him. Why not swallow his pride and simply get someone to do an Aveda Kedavra on him at the earliest possible opportunity?

That's exactly it, isn't it? To swallow his pride ... I think the Dark Lord is unable to do that. Remember on GoF, he ordered his DE not to attack Harry, to leave him to do it. I think this time is similar. He wants to take Harry on his own, probably make him a Horcrux this time, as he intended time ago.

Er, shouldn't this go in another discussion?

Okay another question. In book 6 Dumbledore tells Harry that the prophecy is only really relevant because he (Harry) attaches relevance to it, and that Voldermort does so too .. ie that both are fulfilling the prophecy because they believe they should. In that case, why did Dumbledore actually tell Harry what it said .. why not keep him in the dark?

Because it would have been unfair. Whether the prophecy is important or not, it is about Harry, and he should know that bit of information, specially considering that was the one that caused his parents' death. And besides, knowing about it prompts Harry to do something instead of keeping with his existance as another student on the crowd. And, he's the hero, innit? It was high time for him to start on his quest ...

I do have a question. Where exactly does it say Hermione's middlename is 'Jane'? I must have missed it ...

I do have a question. Where exactly does it say Hermione's middlename is 'Jane'? I must have missed it ...

I'm not 100% sure, but I don't think it does say so in the book, just an added peice of info from JKR. I think.

I do have a question. Where exactly does it say Hermione's middlename is 'Jane'? I must have missed it ...


http://www.quick-quote-quill.org/articles/2004/0304-wbd.htm

kylie: Thanks for writing such wonderful books, Ms Rowling :). Just one question: What are Ron, Hermione and Ginny's middle names? Thank you :)
JK Rowling replies -> My pleasure:) Middle names: Ginny is Molly, of course, Hermione 'Jane' and Ron, poor boy, is Bilius.

Maybe they brought nothing ..I don't think it was obligatory; after all Hermione didn't have a cat till book three :). As the Weasley family were poor and Percy only got his owl as a reward for his good, erm, OWL results (and subsequently Ron got his rat), perhaps the twins had nothing?
They had each other! :lol: And some great ideas for fake wands... :elaugh:

That doesn't make much sense ... I thought Snape believed that Voldermort WANTED him to kill Dumbledore? Why would Voldermort want that if it was going to make him look bad? :)
He might have just said that to Narcissa to keep the conversation going. I'm of the opinion that Snape didn't know "the plan" and bluffed his way through.

Maybe they brought nothing ..I don't think it was obligatory; after all Hermione didn't have a cat till book three :). As the Weasley family were poor and Percy only got his owl as a reward for his good, erm, OWL results (and subsequently Ron got his rat), perhaps the twins had nothing?

Ron didn't get the rat when Percy got his owl, did he? I thought he'd got Scabbers in book 1 (he tries a spell on him in the train) and Percy got Hermes for being Head Boy. I don't understand how Ron got to bring Scabbers to Hogwarts when the list says you can bring owls, cats and toads. And what sort of pet is a toad, for goodness' sake?? Trevor seems to do nothing but get lost (well, I know Neville's pet would...) and presumably you'd have to have a tank for them as they are amphibians. Cats are cute and owls are useful, but toads?

Percy actually got hermes for being made a prefect, which happens the summer before book one starts. Ron must have gotten scabbers then. I think she did that on purpace to say "LOOK LOOK, SCABBERS DOESN'T BELONG!"

Two questions
I have a question. Could have Voldemort possibly died or be put in a state where he couldn't do anything himself even with the Horcruxes?

I don't know if it was melodrama in the GoF graveyard scene, but he said how he didn't die, but it took every ounce of his will to keep from dying or fading away. One could imagine that he wanted to impress his fellow death-eaters; but could it also mean that even if you have horcruxes, it could leave you in a state of complete disability that you're basically...living death and unable to perform anything even posession of animals or even humans ala Quirrel?

Second one

Do people age during a Time Turner Sequence? I mean if that is true, then perhaps Hermione is actually 2-3 years older than everyone after PoA.

Do people age during a Time Turner Sequence? I mean if that is true, then perhaps Hermione is actually 2-3 years older than everyone after PoA.

Perhaps so... Or perhaps when The Time Turner Sequence is complete, you go back to your original age.

Do people age during a Time Turner Sequence? I mean if that is true, then perhaps Hermione is actually 2-3 years older than everyone after PoA.The number of hours she went back during that year would hardly sum up to even one full year. Not even a month.:)

With the time turners, remember that room in the department of mysteries with all the clocks, and the one deatheater who had his head crashed through the bell jar and his head kept getting older, then younger, until he ended up with a squalling baby's head on his adult body? And there was the hummingbird who was being constantly reborn?

I think both of these show that when you go back in time, your body reverts back to its age during whatever time you reappear in (I think this means you can't go back any further than your birth), so no, I don't believe, based on what we saw in that room, that you would age using a time turner as long as you come back to the time you started from. If you were to travel forward, I think you would age, then travel backwards again you would return to your original age.

I don't know whether this is a mistake.

Pettigrew talking about Sirius Black in PoA:
How else did he get out of there? I suppose He Who Must Not Be Named taught him a few tricks!

Then when Black says 'Voldemort' Pettigrew flinches.

And later:
If Voldemort's supporters were after me, it was because I put one of their best men in Azkaban - the spy, Sirius Black!

How come he says 'Voldemort' here? Is this a mistake? If not, how does he summon the courage to say it?

all of the DE cant stand it when you say voldy's name....i think thats why he flinched...corcet me if i'm wrong...

I think the question is, why didn't he flinch in the second quote?

Sorry if this was already asked but in GoF, in the whole Graveyard explaination about how he lived, Voldemort said that he had one last supporter in Hogwarts. When I read this I thought Snape because of Snape and Karkaroff talking about the Dark Marks on their arms, but now that I'm really thinking about it, did Voldemort really know about Crouch Jr. being in Hogwarts? And if he didn't, then could this be a clue to the whole Snape being a "traitor" thing?

Sorry if this was already asked but in GoF, in the whole Graveyard explaination about how he lived, Voldemort said that he had one last supporter in Hogwarts. When I read this I thought Snape because of Snape and Karkaroff talking about the Dark Marks on their arms, but now that I'm really thinking about it, did Voldemort really know about Crouch Jr. being in Hogwarts? And if he didn't, then could this be a clue to the whole Snape being a "traitor" thing?

Yes he planted Barty Crouch Jnr at Hogwarts and was instructing him what to do. He thought Sanpe was a traitor

I think the question is, why didn't he flinch in the second quote?

ahhh yes...i didnt really understand what his point was...:shrug:

One question: Is Snape still bound to the Unbreakable Vow? Narcissa never talks about a specific commitment, so if Draco gets another one, Snape would have to help him in the same way. He would still have to save Dracos life. Is there a threat discussing this?

One question: Is Snape still bound to the Unbreakable Vow? Narcissa never talks about a specific commitment, so if Draco gets another one, Snape would have to help him in the same way. He would still have to save Dracos life. Is there a threat discussing this?
Here it is:

All about the Unbreakable Vow (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=66529&)

Enjoy! :)

I don't know whether this is a mistake.

Pettigrew talking about Sirius Black in PoA:

"How else did he get out of there? I suppose He Who Must Not Be Named taught him a few tricks!"

Then when Black says 'Voldemort' Pettigrew flinches.

And later:

"If Voldemort's supporters were after me, it was because I put one of their best men in Azkaban - the spy, Sirius Black!"

How come he says 'Voldemort' here? Is this a mistake? If not, how does he summon the courage to say it?

I think that both of them are Pettigrew's feeble attempts at feigning innocence. In the first quote he is trying to put all the blame on Sirius by acting like the rest of the wizarding world and saying H.W.M.N.B.N. In the second, he is trying to appear brave by emmulating Sirius and Lupin, both of whom use Voldy's name. This is what I always assumed anyway. DE's call him the "Dark Lord" only, I think Snape said in OotP or HBP.

I think that both of them are Pettigrew's feeble attempts at feigning innocence. In the first quote he is trying to put all the blame on Sirius by acting like the rest of the wizarding world and saying H.W.M.N.B.N. In the second, he is trying to appear brave by emmulating Sirius and Lupin, both of whom use Voldy's name. This is what I always assumed anyway. DE's call him the "Dark Lord" only, I think Snape said in OotP or HBP.
Thanx. :)

One more question: What decides the middle name of a person? I mean, Ron & Percy are brothers. Still Ron's middle name is Bilius while Percy's is Ignatius (correct me if I'm wrong). And why don't they have their father's name (Arthur) as their middle name the way Harry has 'James' as his middle name?

Not everyone is named after their parents you know...

Not everyone is named after their parents you know...

Yes, but I just wanted to know the system. You see, I'm not very familiar with it... :)

I was just wondering ... are there more Gryffindor students in the same year as the trio or is it just those who are mentioned in the books? I mean, it's a really small group if it's just them.

Well we know there's only five Gryffindor boys because that is verified quite frequently. We don't know whether there are more girls than Hermione, Lavender and Parvati though although I would presume that if they were, they would have been mentioned before now.

I was just wondering ... are there more Gryffindor students in the same year as the trio or is it just those who are mentioned in the books? I mean, it's a really small group if it's just them.I'm not sure, but I think there're at least two Gryffindor girls left, who are in the same sleeping room as Hermione, Parvati and Lavender. JK said she would name them in the mugglenet/leakycauldorn interview, but it seems she forgot it again.
It's not really logical, because you can't assume that you have five boys and girls for each house every year...think JK made a little mistake, but as she never wrote about the others, we can rescue it with some Gryffindors and members of other houses who are just not named...:angel:

One more question: What decides the middle name of a person? I mean, Ron & Percy are brothers. Still Ron's middle name is Bilius while Percy's is Ignatius (correct me if I'm wrong). And why don't they have their father's name (Arthur) as their middle name the way Harry has 'James' as his middle name?Maybe Bill has Arthur for a middle name. With 7 children you have plenty of opportunity to name them after people. In Britain a middle name is like a first name - you don't have to take one of your parents' names, as is common in other cultures, and it is extremely rare for several kids in one family to have the same middle name.

Well we know there's only five Gryffindor boys because that is verified quite frequently. We don't know whether there are more girls than Hermione, Lavender and Parvati though although I would presume that if they were, they would have been mentioned before now.
And if there were only about five girls and five boys in each grade for each house, it would never equal the "thousands" of students that seem to be mentioned quite often. So Harry's year is unusually small, or there's a math problem.
And it's weird if more girls show up - I mean, it's hard not to ever mention someone for six years if you happen to sleep in the same room with them and take all of your classes with them.

How do we know that Book 1 took place in 1991 - 1992, Book 2 in 1992 - 1993 and so on? Because Book 4 states a Playstation of which was not released yet in 1994 - 1995.

JKR has admitted the Playstation was a mistake (or Vernon arranged to have one specially imported from Japan)

LOL I'd never, ever have picked up on something like that :)

Re the students I have read on here that Rowling said 1000 in the school and then downgraded her estimate to 600. It really doesn't seem possible though unless Harry's year really IS unusually small. But maybe there were fewer people in Gryffindor than there are in the other houses .. in one of the books ( I can't remember which but I think it might be book 3) it is said that there were 200 Slytherins cheering at a Quidditch match..


I suspect Rowling just isn't terribly good with numbers ;). It's not really a biggie though it's fun to speculate on.

It could also be possible that the parents avoided having children during the height of the war (a.k.a. time when Harry was born), so there might have been more children in the older and younger years.

It could also be possible that the parents avoided having children during the height of the war (a.k.a. time when Harry was born), so there might have been more children in the older and younger years.Yes. But even then it couldn't happen that there are everytime excact the same number of wizrads and whiches in every single house...and that all parents ever decide to sent them to Hogwarts...hm, or could it? I mean... it's magic we're talking about... ;)

I thought there were 40 kids a year, 10 in each house. It may vary a bit.

There were 5 Griffindor boys, Neville, Seamus, Dean, Harry, Ron
There are 3 known & 2 Unknown Gryffindor girls, Parvati, Hermione, Lavender, X & XX
( I was going to say X & Y but then I remembered they were both girls).
I can't remember if they were named in first year sorting.
Comic Book Worm has a link to JKR's notes listing the 40 kids in Harry's year.
I always assumed it was the same (approximately) each year.

There are 5 slytherin boys, Crabbe, Nott, Goyle, Malfoy & Zabini.
I can remember 2 Slytherin girls. Pansy & Millicent Bulstrode.


There are 4 Ravenclaw boys in 7th year Potions, & 4 Slytherins.
The Ravenclaw boys are Michael Corner, Terry Boot, and two others.

I'm not sure, but I think there're at least two Gryffindor girls left, who are in the same sleeping room as Hermione, Parvati and Lavender. JK said she would name them in the mugglenet/leakycauldorn interview, but it seems she forgot it again.
It's not really logical, because you can't assume that you have five boys and girls for each house every year...think JK made a little mistake, but as she never wrote about the others, we can rescue it with some Gryffindors and members of other houses who are just not named...:angel:

JKR has stated that she created 40 students for Harry's incoming class at Hogwarts, 10 in each house. So there are two Gryffindor girls whose names JKR knows, and perhapos a little backstory for them too. She said this turned out to be 'useful' because any time she needs to have a character for whatever reason, she already has all these names and stories to choose from.

What is unclear is how we are to reconcile these 40 students with some of her statments about the enrollment at Hogwarts. We could decide they are just wrong, she didn;t think it through. Or, that she made up the stories for 40 students in Harry's year, but there are actually more. But since we have not even met all 40 of THOSE, there's no reason we'd ever need specifics about the others.

I'm sorry if this has been asked but I was wondering why does Harry have to kill Voldymut? I know the prophecy says so but why? If Harry has to die in the process shouldn't they find another way? Can't they just give Voldymut the dementor's kiss and be gone with it?

I'm sorry if this has been asked but I was wondering why does Harry have to kill Voldymut? I know the prophecy says so but why? If Harry has to die in the process shouldn't they find another way? Can't they just give Voldymut the dementor's kiss and be gone with it?I would guess this is not a 'Little HP Question'...;)

Maybe this helps you:

JKR:If you both chose to walk away, you could both live! That's the bottom line. If both of them decided, “We're not playing,” and walked away… but, it’s not going to happen, because as far as Voldemort’s concerned, Harry’s a threat. They must meet each other.It's similar to the things Dumbledore wanted to explain to Harry in HPB (brit. Ed. p. 476, Chapter: horcruxes).

Maybe you can check out the threads in the Divination Studies or the History of Magic here on cos. I know there are many and there are many posts in the threads, but it's really one of the bigger questions. I'm not in many threads who handle the prophecy directly, so I unfortunately can't help direct, but maybe you can do an advanced search (take care to mark 'titles only!) just with the title 'prophecy'. Hope this helps, although I couldn't give a direct answer.

kay this is really random and sorry if its been asked before and sorry also if its in the books and i just missed it..when you become a prefect do you stay a prefect your 6th and 7th year?? and do new prefects get appointed every year or is it when the previous orefects leave the school? like example: hermione and ron are still prefects in their 6th year..are they the only gryffindor prefects until they leave or are there also new 5th year prefects?? again im sorry if this has already been answered or if its in the books and i just missed it..ive just always wondered:)

kay this is really random and sorry if its been asked before and sorry also if its in the books and i just missed it..when you become a prefect do you stay a prefect your 6th and 7th year?? and do new prefects get appointed every year or is it when the previous orefects leave the school? like example: hermione and ron are still prefects in their 6th year..are they the only gryffindor prefects until they leave or are there also new 5th year prefects?? again im sorry if this has already been answered or if its in the books and i just missed it..ive just always wondered:)
As they stay prefects in year 6 I would suppose that prefects stay what they are until they leave school. It would mean for each house:
Two fifth years
Two six years
Two seven years (when one becomes Headboy or Headgirl, he/she probably assumes both responsabilities)
6x4=24
24 Prefects for all 1000 (JKR) students + 2 Headpersons.

They are going to have to appoint some new prefects aren't they if the trio are leaving and Malfoy has gone?

If there are only 10 Gryffindor students in Harry's year, does that mean Gryffindor Tower has loads of spare rooms for when there are more students? Or is the size of the tower magically enlarged when they need it? Do all the dormitories have 5 beds? Or can they squeeze more in? Do they have wardrobes? Harry always seems to be fishing things out of his trunk, which makes it seem as though they don't have chests of drawers or anything. It seems a bit poor to me!

And do they have showers? Or only baths? There don't seem to be many bathrooms mentioned either.

I
There are 5 slytherin boys, Crabbe, Nott, Goyle, Malfoy & Zabini.
I can remember 2 Slytherin girls. Pansy & Millicent Bulstrode.

There are 4 Ravenclaw boys in 7th year Potions, & 4 Slytherins.
The Ravenclaw boys are Michael Corner, Terry Boot, and two others.
I need to look up the references again, but I didn't think that some of these students were in the same year as Harry.

And do they have showers? Or only baths? There don't seem to be many bathrooms mentioned either.
Being discussed here at length:

Hogwarts Showers...and so on (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=2249&)

He had reached the largest gap of all, and he stood surveying it with his blank , red eyes, as though he could see people standing there.
"And here we have six missing Death Eaters... three dead in my service..." Do we know for certain who the 3 dead Death Eaters are that Voldemort is referring to? I think it was Evan Rosier and Wilkes, but who was the third?

Do we know whether James Potter was a pure-blood?

Do we know whether James Potter was a pure-blood?

We have clues from the text and from JKR that pretty much say so, though it's never stated outright (as far as I know).

From Leaky/Mugglenet interview:

JKR:James's parents were elderly, were getting on a little when he was born, which explains the only child, very pampered, had-him-late-in-life-so-he's-an-extra-treasure, as often happens, I think. They were old in wizarding terms, and they died. They succumbed to a wizarding illness. That's as far as it goes. There's nothing serious or sinister about those deaths. I just needed them out of the way so I killed them.


We also have Snape's Worst Memory, in which Snape calls Lily a Mudblood, but not James or anyone else.

Hm, I'm sure James is a pureblood, but I can't remember where I read it...so be careful with my information (hope someone knows it better...:) ). Lupin is a halfblood, if I remember at least this right.

Another thing I've always wondered is, does the castle magically accomodate however many students are in a certain year? We know that in Harry's group there are 5 students including him. Yet I imagine in past years, there had probably been less or more students qualified/sorted into a single Gryffindor year.

Because I seriously doubt that the sorting hat would sort students into a house for the "sake of equalization". I mean it probably doesn't think "Oh the tally is 3 in Hufflepuff and 4 in Ravenclaw, the next person will be a Hufflepuff regardless"

Hm, I'm sure James is a pureblood, but I can't remember where I read it...so be careful with my information (hope someone knows it better...:) ). Lupin is a halfblood, if I remember at least this right.
Lupin tells Harry so in HBP when Harry tries to investigate if his father was the Prince. Lupin would know, being one of his best friends.

I have a really silly question:
In HBP, when Myrtle tells Ron and Harry that she would keep the secrets of that boy who was crying, Ron says"not to the grave. To the S-Bend maybe" (UK edition). On mugglenet you have a section in the editorials called U-bend. Is this a difference between UK and USA? Are S-bends the same than U-bends?

In Britain U bends are the traps that go beneath sinks and wash basins. S bends are shallower and go beneath baths and showers.

He had reached the largest gap of all, and he stood surveying it with his blank , red eyes, as though he could see people standing there.
"And here we have six missing Death Eaters... three dead in my service..." Do we know for certain who the 3 dead Death Eaters are that Voldemort is referring to? I think it was Evan Rosier and Wilkes, but who was the third?

It is either Quirell or Regulus.

It is either Quirell or Regulus.Or Snape, Barty and Karkaroff...

Thank you, quad! In some way funny that I searched in every single interview, homepage-article,..., but didn't remember HBP. It's written in the series? Hey, how easy...! ;)

Or Snape, Barty and Karkaroff...

Nah... it is not those 3 because Voldemort mentions them as the other six death Eaters

In Britain U bends are the traps that go beneath sinks and wash basins. S bends are shallower and go beneath baths and showers.
Thank you :). See, thats me...the one who's worrying about the toilets in HP world...how obsessed can you get? :D



Do we know for certain who the 3 dead Death Eaters are that Voldemort is referring to? I think it was Evan Rosier and Wilkes, but who was the third?
According to the hp-lexicon (http://www.hp-lexicon.org/wizards/death_eaters.html) there are only these two dead before the return of Voldemort. I don't believe Quirrel was a DE and I don't think Voldemort would mention Regulus as he was presumely killed on his orders for deserting.
Maybe the Wilkes or Rosiers were a couple?

Nah... it is not those 3 because Voldemort mentions them as the other six death EatersOoops, that wasn't in my mind - thank you! (I have to reread...)

It is either Quirell or Regulus.

I don't think he'd count Regulus, because it was said Voldemort either killed him or had him killed before he lost his power. So he no longer considered him a loyal Death Eater.

Where does it state that the Sorting Hat is Godric's Treasure?

It doesn't say it's his treasure but in one of the books, sorry can't remember which, I think that in its song during the sorting the hat sings that Gryffindor 'whipped me off his head' and put some brains in so the hat could sort the students in future :).

Did Hermione go to a Muggle primary school before she went to Hogwarts?

I know she probably did since her parents are Muggles and probably thought Hermione was too until she got her letter...but I just wondered if JKR has said anything about this (it's probably a stupid question to ask, but oh well...)

Well... JKR didn't mention anything about it

The Lexicon (http://www.hp-lexicon.org/wizards/granger.html#steve) says she went to a muggle primary school but doesn't give a source so it may just be an assumption on their part.

It doesn't say it's his treasure but in one of the books, sorry can't remember which, I think that in its song during the sorting the hat sings that Gryffindor 'whipped me off his head' and put some brains in so the hat could sort the students in future :).

Yes and in CoS Dumbledore says that only a true Gryffindorer could pull the sword out of the hat.

True though I tended to think that that's cos the sword was Gryffindor's and not the hat .. it could have been both though :)

It is either Quirell or Regulus.

I don't think he'd count Regulus, because it was said Voldemort either killed him or had him killed before he lost his power. So he no longer considered him a loyal Death Eater.


I don't think Quirell qualified as a death eater. He was mainly just a tool. The death eaters probably don't even know about the whole quest and failure for the stone. Voldie would want to hush that up.

True though I tended to think that that's cos the sword was Gryffindor's and not the hat .. it could have been both though There is no reasonn to think that each of the Founders had just one special object. They probably owned a lot of things - Slytherin had both a locket and a ring, for example, and neither of those objects was left in the school. Hufflepuff's cup was privately owned as well.

In Britain U bends are the traps that go beneath sinks and wash basins. S bends are shallower and go beneath baths and showers.From what I recall of my plumbing days, S-bends are only inside toilets. Traps beneath sinks, showers, etc are all called P-traps in North America. Both types of traps are often called u-bends in Great Britain by non-plumbers. In CoS, Moaning Myrtle said she was sitting in the u-bend when Riddle's Diary fell through her. That was definitely in the toilet.

There is no reasonn to think that each of the Founders had just one special object. They probably owned a lot of things - Slytherin had both a locket and a ring, for example, and neither of those objects was left in the school. Hufflepuff's cup was privately owned as well.

Dumbledore said that the sword was the only relic of Gryffindor's (apart from the Sorting Hat I suppose) that was in existence..

Dumbledore said that the sword was the only relic of Gryffindor's (apart from the Sorting Hat I suppose) that was in existence..
He said it was "the only known relic", so there could be another one. But that raises the question as to whether an unknown relic would have any value for Voldemort, who was looking for objects with strong symbolic value.

I am not trying to be argumentative ;) But I believe he also said that he did not believe that there could be anything else of Gryffindor's out there. That said I don't have my copy to hand but he seemed fairly positive if I recall correctly.

I am not trying to be argumentative ;) But I believe he also said that he did not believe that there could be anything else of Gryffindor's out there. That said I don't have my copy to hand but he seemed fairly positive if I recall correctly.Dumbledore was confident the sword (the only known relic of Gryffindor's) was safe, and that Voldemort never had the chance to search the school for any other relics.

I am not trying to be argumentative But I believe he also said that he did not believe that there could be anything else of Gryffindor's out there. That said I don't have my copy to hand but he seemed fairly positive if I recall correctly.Arguing is what we are here for! I'll give you the passage from the book.


"I can only guess," said Dumbledore. "For the reasons I have already given, I believe that Lord Voldemort would prefer objects that, in themselves, have a certain grandeur. I have therefore trawled back through Voldemort's past to see if i can find evidence that such artefacts have disappeared around him."

"The locket!" said Harry loudly. "Hufflepuff's cup!"

"Yes," said Dumbledore, smiling. "I would be prepared to bet - perhaps not my other hand - but a coupld of fingers, that they became Horcruxes three and four. The remaining two, assuming again that the created a total of six, are more of a problem, but I will hazard a guess that, having secured objects from Hufflepuff and Slytherin, he set out to track down objects owned by Griffindor or Ravenclaw. Four objects from the four founders would, I am sure, have exerted a powerful pull over Voldemort's imagination. I cannont answer for whether he ever managed to find anything of Ravenclaw's. I am confident, however, that he only known relic of Gryffindor remains safe."



Dumbledore is sure that the sword is safe, but can't be entirely sure that Voldemort didn't find another object.

I'm also inclined to think he is wrong about Nagini. He states that he believes Voldemort arrived at Godric's Hollow still one Horcrux short of his planned six. I think that is a clue to a Horcrux being created (or intended) at Godric's Hollow - I'm just not sure exactly what happened. We know that Harry is not Heir of Gryffindor, but that doesn't exclude the possibility that a relic was kept at Godric's Hollow.

But that is a huge question, not a little one, and a matter for another thread!

Thanks for the quote :). So it is possible that another relic of Gryffindor's was out there .. but still, Dumbledore did not believe it and it would be interesting to see how Voldermort could find a relic that Dumbledore did not know existed. As to Nagini .. I am not sure. It will be interesting to see!

According to the hp-lexicon there are only these two dead before the return of Voldemort. I don't believe Quirrel was a DE and I don't think Voldemort would mention Regulus as he was presumely killed on his orders for deserting.
Maybe the Wilkes or Rosiers were a couple? If that's the case why did Voldemort say there were 3 dead in his service?

"I can only guess," said Dumbledore. "For the reasons I have already given, I believe that Lord Voldemort would prefer objects that, in themselves, have a certain grandeur. I have therefore trawled back through Voldemort's past to see if i can find evidence that such artefacts have disappeared around him."


Dumbledore is sure that the sword is safe, but can't be entirely sure that Voldemort didn't find another object.

I'm also inclined to think he is wrong about Nagini.
I also think Dumbledore's wrong about Nagini....can't really see Voldemort trusting a living being with a piece of his soul, as Dumbledore said he wants the holders of his soul to have a certain grandeur and even though Voldemort is a parseltounge I don't think that he finds Nagini an object with those qualities.
As for other belongings of Gryffindor, what happened with his wand? or any of the other founders' wands for that sake?

the relics of the four founders' seem to represent their character traits
-Gryffindor(bravery) a sword
-Slytherin (pure ancestry) a ring with the peverell coat of arms
-huffelpuff( potions)? if she is the fat lady then wine?) a cup
-rawenclaw (intelligens) ?
But you're right this belongs to another thread

I don't think Hufflepuff is the fat lady. The historical period is all wrong.

Little question about food:

Is crystalized pineapple the same thing as dehydrated sweetened pineapple?

Is crystalized pineapple the same thing as dehydrated sweetened pineapple?I think so.

Does anyone know of a typed, easy- to- read text from the original page from Sorcerer's Stone that Rowling has on her website?(http://www.jkrowling.com/s5m8took/7_written_flamel.cfm) It's really hard to read. I mean, you don't have to write one for me or anything, just if you already have one I'd like to see it. If not, I can probably figure out what it says.
Thanks!

If Number 12 Grimmauld Place was unplottable and had a whole bunch of curses on it, why didn't Sirius just go live there after he escaped from Azkaban, instead of holing up in the mountains, eating rats? (yes, I know Dumbledore wasn't secret keeper until #5!)

His mother may still have been alive. They didn't get along.

His mother may still have been alive. They didn't get along.


Sirius' mother died ten years before the Order occupied 12 GP, so eight years before Sirius escaped from Azkaban.

He didn't go to 12 GP in PoA because he was hunting down Pettigrew at Hogwarts. He then went to a tropical region, but returned to be near Harry during the Triwizard Tournament.

Does anyone know of a typed, easy- to- read text from the original page from Sorcerer's Stone that Rowling has on her website?(http://www.jkrowling.com/s5m8took/7_written_flamel.cfm) It's really hard to read. I mean, you don't have to write one for me or anything, just if you already have one I'd like to see it. If not, I can probably figure out what it says.
Thanks!Have you tried to find it in the Text Only version?:)

I'm sorry but I haven't time for searching just now.

Hey! Just wondering what Voldermort might smell from Andromeda (love potion). Nagini's serpent breath, his own breath and ... hmmm ...

I thought it was Amortentia

New question

Why do they check Harry's wand when he goes to the ministry for his hearing? What would they get out of that?

Perhaps to make sure that wand is his so that when Priori Incantem is used, they know what was the last spell used

I thought it was Amortentia

Oh yea, I think I got it mixed up with Tonks' mum's name. :D

Hey! Just wondering what Voldermort might smell from Andromeda (love potion). Nagini's serpent breath, his own breath and ... hmmm ...

Interesting question .. my guess would be that he would smell nothing at all as he is incapable of love.

Hmm what would happen if Voldermort was GIVEN a love potion? Again, my guess would be nothing.

Same with dementors :)

Gawd i wonder what a Dementor would smell? And how in Gods name do Dementors BREED??

I would imagine that they don't breed in the conventional sense (without wanting to get too explicit about it) but that they just sort of .. I don't know how to describe it ... SPREAD whenever they sense that there's a lot of human misery around. I would imagine that if Voldermort is vanquished there won't be enough scope for their misery anymore and they will naturally decline.

Gawd i wonder what a Dementor would smell? And how in Gods name do Dementors BREED??

I don't wanna know :shrug: guess it's kinda grosse. maybe they just split themselves, can't really see them nursing little mentor-kids so the natural way wouldn't work

another thing: would Dmentors count as creatures with near human intelligence?

I doubt that. They can't make decisions for themselves, they're just drawn to pain and misery. But, then again, I don't think they are "creatures" at all because they're not listen in Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them.

But I remember another creature having the same characteristics of a dementor

Well they must have some level of sentience because otherwise, how would Fudge and Dumbledore be able to communicate with them?

What I want to know is, what happens to a person after their soul is sucked out? Where do they go? Can they still think and talk? Or do they become dementors themselves .. is that maybe what dementors ARE?

And yet, they are able to obey and proceed to the exact whereabouts of Harry and Dudley at Little Whinging!

Well yes I definitely think that they do have a degree of sentience, they just do not have any emotions except negative ones. It beats me why the Ministry was ever so foolish as to think that they would be trustworthy guards for Azkaban in the first place though!

But I remember another creature having the same characteristics of a dementor
That's the Lethifold also known as The Living Shroud. It's in Fantastic Beasts.

The Lethifold is a mercifully rare creature found solely in tropical climates. It resembles a black cloak perhaps half an inch thick (thicker if it has recently killed and digested a victim), which glides along the ground at night.
The Patronus is the only spell known to repel the Lethifold.

I think Voldemort would react to a love potion if given one, I also think it would kill him (at least it was one of many ways I could think of in which Harry might be able to kill Voldemort without actually using Avada Kedavra)

I would imagine he would smell things that made him happy in his own way: the smell of fear on a person, maybe the smell of Borgin and Burkes shop, or the smell of some of the places he hid his horcruxes. I think whatever he smells would make him think of his own power. Many a person out there is in love with themselves and their own sense of power in the world.

Interesting question .. my guess would be that he would smell nothing at all as he is incapable of love.

Hmm what would happen if Voldermort was GIVEN a love potion? Again, my guess would be nothing.

Same with dementors :)
Well, Amortentia does not create love but only a powerful infatuation, so he would probably smell something. I guess himself. (What a waste of potion)

Ok new question and easy to answer: Does Luna wear glasses?

I cant remember having read that she does but I always pictured her with huge glasses. Not thick glass like Trelawney's but they just help to bring out her eyes when she stares.

The reason I wonder is I saw the Luna impressions in the HP Fanart contest thread and all there had pictured her as quite a pretty girl, which totally did not match the description in my mind.

His mother may still have been alive. They didn't get along.
I think Sirius' mum died a while back didn't she? I mean before book 4 (although Sirius might not have known if she was alive or not what with him being in Azkaban). I think it's because he wanted to be nearer to harry because someone was trying to hurt him by entering him in the Triwizard Tournament etc and Sirius was worried about him.

Ok new question and easy to answer: Does Luna wear glasses?

I cant remember having read that she does but I always pictured her with huge glasses. Not thick glass like Trelawney's but they just help to bring out her eyes when she stares.

The reason I wonder is I saw the Luna impressions in the HP Fanart contest thread and all there had pictured her as quite a pretty girl, which totally did not match the description in my mind.
I don't think that the book says she wears glasses. Maybe you picture her like that because in HBP she wears a pair of Spectespecs (sp) which give her the appearence of a demented owl :lol:
she is not described as pretty but nor as ugly.
Dirty blond waist long hair, protuberant blue eyes which give her a permanent surprised look.

Harry said that she looked 'quite nice' at Slughorn's party. I don't think she wore glasses though because otherwise it would probably have mentioned that she had to take them off the put on the spectrespecs.

What I want to know is, what happens to a person after their soul is sucked out? Where do they go? Can they still think and talk? Or do they become dementors themselves .. is that maybe what dementors ARE?Lupin tells us..."You can exist without your soul, you know, as long as your brain and heart are still working. But you'll have no sense of self anymore, no memory, no....anything. There's no chance at all of recovery. You'll just---exist. As an empty shell. And your soul is gone, lost forever."So they don't become dementor's at all.

It's possibly something similar to the Longbottom's existence in St. Mungo's.

This may be in here somewhere already...the thread is so long now I've not read it from end to end, but something occurred to me this morning as I was re-watching Sorcerer's Stone while wrapping Christmas presents.

Harry 's letter telling him he was accepted as a student at Hogwarts said he could take - if he desired - an owl, a cat or a toad. Is each student given the same options, or do different students get different pets to choose from? I wondered because of Scabbers...clearly NOT an owl, a cat or a toad.

Anyone know why Ron was allowed to take a rat to school?

This may be in here somewhere already...the thread is so long now I've not read it from end to end, but something occurred to me this morning as I was re-watching Sorcerer's Stone while wrapping Christmas presents.

Harry 's letter telling him he was accepted as a student at Hogwarts said he could take - if he desired - an owl, a cat or a toad. Is each student given the same options, or do different students get different pets to choose from? I wondered because of Scabbers...clearly NOT an owl, a cat or a toad.

Anyone know why Ron was allowed to take a rat to school?
i also have this question. Especially since Percy would have wanted to exersize his new prefect position to confiscate a banned pet.

This may be in here somewhere already...the thread is so long now I've not read it from end to end, but something occurred to me this morning as I was re-watching Sorcerer's Stone while wrapping Christmas presents.

Harry 's letter telling him he was accepted as a student at Hogwarts said he could take - if he desired - an owl, a cat or a toad. Is each student given the same options, or do different students get different pets to choose from? I wondered because of Scabbers...clearly NOT an owl, a cat or a toad.

Anyone know why Ron was allowed to take a rat to school?

Because Ron's a rebel? Maybe it's just because those animals need special care (owls - owlery, toads - water, cats - cat food?) and Scabbers just scrounges food and stuff off Ron, no specialist care needed. I dunno...

I have a question: Hermione tells us (who else has read Hogwarts: A History?:p ) that if a muggle sees Hogwarts, they will see ruin with a sign that says it's unsafe, and yadayadayada...my question is, what would happen if curiosity got the better of one of these muggles, and they went inside the castle? Would they see the inside of the castle as Hogwarts in all it's glory, or continue to see a ruin?

Because Ron's a rebel? Maybe it's just because those animals need special care (owls - owlery, toads - water, cats - cat food?) and Scabbers just scrounges food and stuff off Ron, no specialist care needed. I dunno...

I have a question: Hermione tells us (who else has read Hogwarts: A History?:p ) that if a muggle sees Hogwarts, they will see ruin with a sign that says it's unsafe, and yadayadayada...my question is, what would happen if curiosity got the better of one of these muggles, and they went inside the castle? Would they see the inside of the castle as Hogwarts in all it's glory, or continue to see a ruin?

hmm I wondered that too, maybe it also has muggle repelling charms like the stadium at the Quidditch world cup?

There would be muggle repelling charms - as advertised in the Daily Prophet on JKR's website - they would remember something they simply had to do

How come Squibs can see Hogwarts when they can't see Dementors?

How come Squibs can see Hogwarts when they can't see Dementors?
I asked this a few pages ago, and the replies were pretty varied. Some people were not convinced that squibs could not see dementors (as this is just harry's guess). But I think that maybe they can't see Hogwarts either, which would contribute to Filch's constant bad mood.

We've seen parents come to the school. Would this mean that muggle parents could never come? That sounds a bit harsh.

I expect that if there was a good reason for muggles to get to Hogwarts there would be ways of counteracting the magic that makes it a ruin to them.

How come Squibs can see Hogwarts when they can't see Dementors?

I think I have asked this question here earlier but never got an answer. From where do you know that squibs can't see dementors? I thought Mrs. Figg could but she was bad describing them

I'm sure muggles could come to Hogwarts if the headmaster permitted and also squibs can see dementors as Figg said so during the trial in the Order of the Phoenix and I don't think she'd go for perjury or that Dumbledore would have asked her to lie about it, also, how else would she have known Harry and Dudley were attacked by anything?

Thanks Greeney :) that's what I thought too. And if they can see dementors why shouldn't they see Hogwarts?

I'm sure muggles could come to Hogwarts if the headmaster permitted and also squibs can see dementors as Figg said so during the trial in the Order of the Phoenix and I don't think she'd go for perjury or that Dumbledore would have asked her to lie about it, also, how else would she have known Harry and Dudley were attacked by anything?

Well, she does know the feeling of depression caused by Dementors, and she did feel it. Squibs, and even Muggles like Dudley, are affected by Dementors. And seeing Harry repel the unseen Dementors with a Patronus Charm would certainly reinforce her initial assessment.

Greeney is right. It was just Fudge who doubted that squibs can't see dementors. Muggles can't see, just feel.

(But I really like the image of Filch running through a ruin every day...:evil:)

Ok so maybe Mrs. Figg just felt the dementors and tried to describe them but that doesn't have to mean that squibs can't see Hogwarts. Two different kinds of magic created by two totally different species, right? I think the idea of Filch cleaning an invisible castle is quite absurd
though it would be kinda nice.... ;)

I had a look. 'Feeling' was the secons thing Mrs Figg described. First she described the dementor's look:

'A suib, eh?' said Fudge, eyeing her closely. [...] Incidentally, can Squibs see Dementors?' 'Yes, we can!' said Mrs Figg indignantly.Following her worse describtion, than she convinces with the describtion of her feelings. I think she's right: she could see the Dementors.

I think I have asked this question here earlier but never got an answer. From where do you know that squibs can't see dementors? I thought Mrs. Figg could but she was bad describing them
It never officially said in the books I don't think, but JKR has said that she didn't on her website. From here: Text-only version (http://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/en/extrastuff_view.cfm?id=19)

Section: Extra Stuff
SQUIBS

I have been asked all sorts of questions about Squibs since I first introduced the concept in ‘Chamber of Secrets’. A Squib is almost the opposite of a Muggle-born wizard: he or she is a non-magical person born to at least one magical parent. Squibs are rare; magic is a dominant and resilient gene.

Squibs would not be able to attend Hogwarts as students. They are often doomed to a rather sad kind of half-life (yes, you should be feeling sorry for Filch), as their parentage often means that they will be exposed to, if not immersed in, the wizarding community, but can never truly join it. Sometimes they find a way to fit in; Filch has carved himself a niche at Hogwarts and Arabella Figg operates as Dumbledore’s liaison between the magical and Muggle worlds. Neither of these characters can perform magic (Filch’s Kwikspell course never worked), but they still function within the wizarding world because they have access to certain magical objects and creatures that can help them (Arabella Figg does a roaring trade in cross-bred cats and Kneazles, and if you don‘t know what a Kneazle is yet, shame on you). Incidentally, Arabella Figg never saw the Dementors that attacked Harry and Dudley, but she had enough magical knowledge to identify correctly the sensations they created in the alleyway.

Thanks Plimpy :)
didn't know she had explained magic as a genetic fenomenon

Does anyone know of a typed, easy- to- read text from the original page from Sorcerer's Stone that Rowling has on her website?(http://www.jkrowling.com/s5m8took/7_written_flamel.cfm) It's really hard to read. I mean, you don't have to write one for me or anything, just if you already have one I'd like to see it. If not, I can probably figure out what it says.
Thanks!


Easy-to-read version of the PS easter egg Posted by Nycade 16
It says, "'So this Flamel bloke found the stone-' said Ron. 'No- he made it,' said Harry.'He was an alchemist, which means-' 'Someone who turns base metals into gold,' said Hermione. She had that old proving-I-know-more-than-everyone-else look on her face, the other two noticed, 'Of course, I read about it in "Alchemy, Ancient Air and Science" by Argo Pyrites-' 'I missed that one myself,' muttered Ron. "- and, of course, It's some fo the most difficult magic you can do. And you end you not just with pure gold, but also with a funny stone(undecipherable)-' 'Which is what I'm on about.' said Harry, 'The Philosopher's stone, yes. And it works, too. It kept Nicholas Flamel and his wife alive for about five hundred years.' 'What??' 'I know,' said Harry. 'But it's true. He was spotted at the open in Paris in 1762 and he was born back in 13 something.' Ron whistled. 'But he's dead now?' he asked. 'Of course,' said Harry. 'Someone stole his stone so he couldn't make any more Elixir of Life, could he" It takes a while to make another stone and by that time, I suppose, he was just too old to live without his Elixir until a new stone was ready. And now I'll tell you something else really weird that I haven't told you up to now - the stone was found in my parents' safe at Gringott's bank.' But instead of the interested noises Harry had expected, Ron and Hermione simply stared at him. 'What?' said Harry. Ron cleared his throat, opened his mouth to speak but shut it again. 'What?' Harry said. 'Well, Harry,' saud Hermione. 'I mean...' 'You mean what?' He stared at them both as they shuffled their feet and tried not to look him in the eye. 'You don't mean,' he said suddeenly and angrily. 'That my parents stole the stone?' 'Um...' said Ron. 'Look,' said Harry furiously, 'That's like (indecipherable) they murdered Flamel..' 'Oh, Harry, we never thought...' 'Not much, you didn't,' said Harry. 'I don't know how it got in there, but the stone wasn't put there by them...' 'Right,' said Ron quickly. 'I'm sure you're right.' 'There must be an obvious explanation,' said Hermione. Harry wasn't at all convinced that they meant it, but at that moment the bell rang which put an end to the conversation."

From the J.K. Rowling's Official site FAQ thread. (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=27402)

This is probably a big question, but I haven't seen it discussed anywhere else and it's not really enough to start a whole new thread on:

From what Dumbledore tells Harry, only the people the prophecy was concerned with could touch it. So the prophecy concerns Harry and Voldemort - why didn't Voldemort just go into the ministry and get the stupid thing. It's not like he couldn't get into the ministry, after all, he was there at the very end with Bella. It seems like that would be something he wouldn't want to entrust to anyone but himself, given how important it was.

From what Dumbledore tells Harry, only the people the prophecy was concerned with could touch it. So the prophecy concerns Harry and Voldemort - why didn't Voldemort just go into the ministry and get the stupid thing. It's not like he couldn't get into the ministry, after all, he was there at the very end with Bella. It seems like that would be something he wouldn't want to entrust to anyone but himself, given how important it was.I think that is just what Voldemort was trying to avoid doing. The Ministry were denying his come-back, so it suited him to keep a very low profile that year while he mustered his forces. Of course it would have been simpler to do it himself, but that isn't the way fictional evil overlords think! He did try to get in while possessing Nagini, but Arthur was standing guard that night and Nagini bit him and fled.

That's what Bellatrix answered whe Harry asked her why Voldemort did not get the prophecy himself: '..The Dard Lord reveal himself to the Aurors when they are so sweetly ignoring his return?..'

Ithink that explains why he made Harry go and get it. But why did Voldemort come into the ministry in the end ???

Easy-to-read version of the PS easter egg Posted by Nycade 16
It says, "'So this Flamel bloke found the stone-' said Ron. 'No- he made it,' said Harry.'He was an alchemist, which means-' 'Someone who turns base metals into gold,' said Hermione. She had that old proving-I-know-more-than-everyone-else look on her face, the other two noticed, 'Of course, I read about it in "Alchemy, Ancient Air and Science" by Argo Pyrites-' 'I missed that one myself,' muttered Ron. "- and, of course, It's some fo the most difficult magic you can do. And you end you not just with pure gold, but also with a funny stone(undecipherable)-' 'Which is what I'm on about.' said Harry, 'The Philosopher's stone, yes. And it works, too. It kept Nicholas Flamel and his wife alive for about five hundred years.' 'What??' 'I know,' said Harry. 'But it's true. He was spotted at the open in Paris in 1762 and he was born back in 13 something.' Ron whistled. 'But he's dead now?' he asked. 'Of course,' said Harry. 'Someone stole his stone so he couldn't make any more Elixir of Life, could he" It takes a while to make another stone and by that time, I suppose, he was just too old to live without his Elixir until a new stone was ready. And now I'll tell you something else really weird that I haven't told you up to now - the stone was found in my parents' safe at Gringott's bank.' But instead of the interested noises Harry had expected, Ron and Hermione simply stared at him. 'What?' said Harry. Ron cleared his throat, opened his mouth to speak but shut it again. 'What?' Harry said. 'Well, Harry,' saud Hermione. 'I mean...' 'You mean what?' He stared at them both as they shuffled their feet and tried not to look him in the eye. 'You don't mean,' he said suddeenly and angrily. 'That my parents stole the stone?' 'Um...' said Ron. 'Look,' said Harry furiously, 'That's like (indecipherable) they murdered Flamel..' 'Oh, Harry, we never thought...' 'Not much, you didn't,' said Harry. 'I don't know how it got in there, but the stone wasn't put there by them...' 'Right,' said Ron quickly. 'I'm sure you're right.' 'There must be an obvious explanation,' said Hermione. Harry wasn't at all convinced that they meant it, but at that moment the bell rang which put an end to the conversation."

From the J.K. Rowling's Official site FAQ thread. (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=27402)

That is really fascinating. So Harry would be incredibly rich because his parents had a sorcerer's stone, and unable to be killed, because it was his stone now? Or somehow he was acquiring and drinking the elixar without knowing it? Interesting.

Well, she does know the feeling of depression caused by Dementors, and she did feel it. Squibs, and even Muggles like Dudley, are affected by Dementors. And seeing Harry repel the unseen Dementors with a Patronus Charm would certainly reinforce her initial assessment.

How would she know what curse Harry used or the purpose of the curse? How many times do you think she'd have seen dementors? :/

How would she know what curse Harry used or the purpose of the curse? How many times do you think she'd have seen dementors? :/

Well, NOW I'm sure there has to be an explanation, (thanks, PLIMPY!) since JKR says Squibs can't see Dementors. Could she have seen Harry's Patronus? She knows what one is, as an Order member. (She can't send messages this way, but maybe receive them?) And she could know what Dementors are and the magic that is used to drive them away even though she has never before been in the presence of one. From a book, or from being told by someone.

Why hasnt Harry visited James and Lily's cementary before? i know he lived with the Dursley's most of his life but wouldnt you want to see your parents resting place, and what about his grandparents? ahh such a lonely child...

Why are people so certain that Durmstrang is in Bulgaria?

I think that it must be closer/or in Russia. I don't think the descriptions of Viktor & their clothing,etc. match that of a Balkan state. I know this because Latveria,a fictional Balkan state in the Marvel Universe ruled by Victor von Doom is very lush.(Fantastci Four villian,von Doom...Bah!)

Some of the names like Poliakoff sound Polish.

Why are people so certain that Durmstrang is in Bulgaria?

Probably because Krum is Bulgarian-he plays for their national team.
I think that it must be closer/or in Russia. I don't think the descriptions of Viktor & their clothing,etc. match that of a Balkan state. I know this because Latveria,a fictional Balkan state in the Marvel Universe ruled by Victor von Doom is very lush.(Fantastci Four villian,von Doom...Bah!)

http://workmall.com/wfb2001/bulgaria/bulgaria_geography.html describes the climate and geography of Bulgaria:
Climate: temperate; cold, damp winters; hot, dry summers

Terrain: mostly mountains with lowlands in north and southeast


So in the mountains in winter, the fur clothing etc. described would probably be called for in Bulgaria (though perhaps not Latveria :)).

But I do think that Durmstrang is further north. For one thing, the school's name is German-sounding even though a lot of the students have Slavic names. Also, unless Bulgaria has a lot more significance in Wizarding history than in Real World history, or has far more wizards per capita, it would seem odd that the TriWizard Tournament is between schools for Great Britain, France, and Bulgaria. (Bulgaria has less than 8 million inhabitants; France has close to 70 million, as do the UK+Ireland combined). So I would guess that Durmstrang probably takes students from several countries in Eastern Europe, and thus could be located in any of them, not necessarily Bularia.

Ok so maybe Mrs. Figg just felt the dementors and tried to describe them but that doesn't have to mean that squibs can't see Hogwarts. Two different kinds of magic created by two totally different species, right? I think the idea of Filch cleaning an invisible castle is quite absurd
though it would be kinda nice.... ;)
Hermione says that the castle appears like a ruin with a danger sign posted in front to muggles. No invisible castles. If this is what Filch sees, then he is spending his life cleaning and recleaning a smoldering ruin. not exactly what I would call fun and productive. I hope he finds a new job.

Of couse squibs may be able to see Hogwarts, it just seems to flow that if they can't see one magical thing that muggles can't see (dementors), then they would not be able to see another magical thing that muggles can't see (the castle).

Why hasnt Harry visited James and Lily's cementary before? i know he lived with the Dursley's most of his life but wouldnt you want to see your parents resting place, and what about his grandparents? ahh such a lonely child...
I think that it's outrageous that Dumbledore or Lupin or Hagrid or SOMEONE has never taken Harry to visit his parents' graves.
Of course, I also think that it's outrageous that none of them ever visited, wrote or somehow managed to contact Harry before he turned eleven. It would not have interfered with the magical protections provided by Petunia.

Maybe they tried to, and Petunia and Vernon hid the letters. I think it's just the way Jo imagined Harry-a wizard boy who never knew he was a wizard. Having one of them come and visit him before he got his letter would have made this description obselete.

Hermione says that the castle appears like a ruin with a danger sign posted in front to muggles. No invisible castles. If this is what Filch sees, then he is spending his life cleaning and recleaning a smoldering ruin. not exactly what I would call fun and productive. I hope he finds a new job.

Of couse squibs may be able to see Hogwarts, it just seems to flow that if they can't see one magical thing that muggles can't see (dementors), then they would not be able to see another magical thing that muggles can't see (the castle).

My theory is that Hogwarts is hidden out of time. Like a satellite in a geo-stationary orbit,
Hogwarts always hovers in the same time (all the moving staircase adjustments).
Like an island, so WHEN you step on, at it's borders, you carry your internal time, your biological clock with you.
So contemporary muggles see a ruin, which Hogwarts is ... NOW
but in the time period in which it exists, once on the island, it existss
and Mr. Filch cleaning it can see it. So squibs can see it.

Re Mrs Figg. My theory is that: Mrs. Figg LIED about seeing the dementors, (apparent in her blushing in the text) she arrived AFTER the action ended in the alley, Figgy1 Dumbledore took her BACK IN TIME so that she would be present to view Harry's actions and thus be an eye-witness at his trial, F2D2 (and time visiting Dumbledore - D2 - helped Harry by sending the thought that brought Ron & Hermione to his brain) She COULD see the Patronus, Harry & Dudley. She could FEEL the dementors she was comfortable testifying at trial because she HAD observed the events to the best of her ability she could not mention it was as F2D2

My theory is that Hogwarts is hidden out of time. Like a satellite in a geo-stationary orbit,
Hogwarts always hovers in the same time (all the moving staircase adjustments).
Like an island, so WHEN you step on, at it's borders, you carry your internal time, your biological clock with you.
So contemporary muggles see a ruin, which Hogwarts is ... NOW
but in the time period in which it exists, once on the island, it existss
and Mr. Filch cleaning it can see it. So squibs can see it.
I don't really get this theory. As I said before, Hermione quotes Hogwarts, a History, saying that the castle appears like a ruin with a danger sign on it to all muggles. Nowhere does the book say that muggles would see anything different if they went into the castle itself. Filch can of course see the castle - or he wouldn't be able to walk. But the question is - which castle does he see?
Maybe I'm just dense, but I don't get the "hidden out of time" thing, or how that connects to moving staircases.
Re Mrs Figg. My theory is that: Mrs. Figg LIED about seeing the dementors, (apparent in her blushing in the text) she arrived AFTER the action ended in the alley, Figgy1 Dumbledore took her BACK IN TIME so that she would be present to view Harry's actions and thus be an eye-witness at his trial, F2D2 (and time visiting Dumbledore - D2 - helped Harry by sending the thought that brought Ron & Hermione to his brain) She COULD see the Patronus, Harry & Dudley. She could FEEL the dementors she was comfortable testifying at trial because she HAD observed the events to the best of her ability she could not mention it was as F2D2
Someone posted a quote above where JKR says that Mrs. Figg NEVER saw the dementors who attacked Harry. She did not say that Mrs. Figg may have gone back in time to see them later.

Someone posted a quote above where JKR says that Mrs. Figg NEVER saw the dementors who attacked Harry. She did not say that Mrs. Figg may have gone back in time to see them later.

lindaluna is not saying Mrs. Figg saw the dementors at all, before or during the theorized time travel. She agrees Squibs cannot see dementors. Her theory is that Mrs. Figg time-turned with Dumbledore to see Harry's Patronus, and to feel the dementor sensations which she described at the hearing more clearly.

lindaluna is not saying Mrs. Figg saw the dementors at all, before or during the theorized time travel. She agrees Squibs cannot see dementors. Her theory is that Mrs. Figg time-turned with Dumbledore to see Harry's Patronus, and to feel the dementor sensations which she described at the hearing more clearly.
Sorry.
I was under the impression that she actually did witness the attack, or at least the end of the attack. Does it say somewhere that she actually came later?

But I do think that Durmstrang is further north. For one thing, the school's name is German-sounding even though a lot of the students have Slavic names. Also, unless Bulgaria has a lot more significance in Wizarding history than in Real World history, or has far more wizards per capita, it would seem odd that the TriWizard Tournament is between schools for Great Britain, France, and Bulgaria. (Bulgaria has less than 8 million inhabitants; France has close to 70 million, as do the UK+Ireland combined). So I would guess that Durmstrang probably takes students from several countries in Eastern Europe, and thus could be located in any of them, not necessarily Bularia.Yes. Further north it has to be. For some reason quite many people ignore a very important clue given by Krum. He said there is very little daylight in winter. That means it has to be considerable farther north than Hogwarts. Otherwise that information wouldn't make any sense at all.

Sorry. I was under the impression that she actually did witness the attack, or at least the end of the attack. Does it say somewhere that she actually came later?

Yes, in Harry's memory, after the attack, the world return to normal, sights, sounds, smells, and Harry takes many deep breaths, before Figg comes around the corner and into Harry's sight (and vice versa).

So this really didn't jibe with what to me was consciencious Figgy's testimony before the highest court of the land, in which I felt she LIED about SEEING dementors, but told the truth about all the other events, including feeling the dementors and Harry's patronus attempts & actions. I concluded time travel must have taken place.

I believe time travel will happen (has already happened) in book 7, so I am looking for slips, gaps in time, not jibing between two HONEST character's memories, in past books.

Maybe I'm just dense, but I don't get the "hidden out of time" thing, or how that connects to moving staircases.
The moving staircases (and vanishing steps - leap steps) have always struck me as a mystery with an explanation in Potterverse. In POA the movie, the sight of Hogwarts as a giant clock got me thinking the staircases were like the hands of a watch - but a very complicated watch.

Was Hogwarts itself a huge time-piece, or even a huge ancient time-turner?

Why can't you apparate off Hogwarts grounds? Would you end up in a different time? How do different generations of students come and go at Hogwarts? Well the only things in or out come by ground or by owl.
What if you bring your own time with you when you step onto the grounds?

I guess one could say *cough*fanfic, but someone pointed out that the theory of Scabbers the rat as Harry's Dad's betraying friend, hidden for 12 years, would have been laughable if espoused prior to Book 3, and I'm thinking that Book 7 will reveal many of the mysteries that we've just gotten used to as part of the Hogwarts mystic.

Mrs. Figg LIED about seeing the dementors, (apparent in her blushing in the text)
she arrived AFTER the action ended in the alley, Figgy1
Dumbledore took her BACK IN TIME so that she would be present to view Harry's actions and thus be an eye-witness at his trial, F2D2
She COULD see the Patronus, Harry & Dudley.
She could FEEL the dementors
she was comfortable testifying at trial because she HAD observed the events to the best of her ability
she could not mention it was as F2D2

I agree with everything lindalunda sais except for the timetravelling part,and that Figg could see them of course . Mrs. Figg experienced enough to draw the conclusion that there were dementors and she testified on those grounds.

Honestly...why is everyone so obsessed with time travelling? I don't think Dumbledore has free access to any time-turner and as he understands the dangers in time travelling i don't think that he would use it very often even if he had. He only let harry and hermione use it when that was the only option

I have a question which I've been wanting to ask for a very long time. (First I thought I might figure it out myself, but I did'nt succeed)

How did Voldemort get his wand back?

The night he killed the Potters and he turned into, well, some sort of ghost, he lost his wand. But in GoF, Harry and Voldemort battle and Priori Incatatem happens, because both wands contain the feather of the same Phoenix. So he clearly didn't get a new one. But how did Voldemort get is his old wand back?

It is genereally supposed that someone (Pettigrew perhaps) was at Godrics Hollow and kept the wand safe for him - there may actually be a JKR quote to that effect.

About Durmstrang
Yes. Further north it has to be. For some reason quite many people ignore a very important clue given by Krum. He said there is very little daylight in winter. That means it has to be considerable farther north than Hogwarts. Otherwise that information wouldn't make any sense at all.

Agree, Durmstrang must be further north. Wonder how little daylight though? In lappland,Sweden, where I come from the sun is up for about three or four hours in winter. So maybe somewhere around those latitudes? That would make Russia an excelent site for Durmastrang.
The idea of Durmstrang being an international school could also explain Karkaroff favouring Krum, not just because he is an international standard seeker but also becausse they are both from Bulgaria

I think the Solovetsky Islands (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solovetsky_Islands) in the White Sea are an ideal place for Durnstrang - they can moor the ship alongside. Clearly what we see as a monastery is in fact a magic school.

I think the Solovetsky Islands (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solovetsky_Islands) in the White Sea are an ideal place for Durnstrang - they can moor the ship alongside. Clearly what we see as a monastery is in fact a magic school.
Nice one :)
But I doubt it's on an island. Krum says that in the summer they make long flights over the land, it sounds more like Siberia to me. And isn't it described somewhere that Durmstrang has only four floors?

OK I don't know if this has already been asked, but here goes: What's Hermione's third smell other than new parchment and freshly mown grass when she sniffs the Armortentia potion? I know she says the first two then suddenly stops but have you got any ideas?

guad wrote
Krum says that in the summer they make long flights over the land, it sounds more like Siberia to me.
The White Sea is almost entirely surrounded by land so they would have to fly over it to get anywhere
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/MundunguFletc/russian-north-map.jpg

OK I don't know if this has already been asked, but here goes: What's Hermione's third smell other than new parchment and freshly mown grass when she sniffs the Armortentia potion? I know she says the first two then suddenly stops but have you got any ideas?

probably Ron Weasley.

probably Ron Weasley.

Probably smelt the same smell coming off of Ron when she turned her head and decided she had said enough.

Okay i have a question. At least twice, we see the Dursley's send Harry a really lame Christmas present, right? But - how does it get to him? They can't send it ordinary post so they would have to send it by owl. Would Hedwig just go there spontaneously and bug them to send something then? That's the only explanation I can think of but I don't understand why she would do that when she knows that the Dursley's hate Harry. How would they communicate with him at other times if they absolutely had to?

I don't think JKR thought about this, so it's anyones guess. My favourite theory is that the ministry or maybe even Hogwarts has a muggel post box somewhere. Harry is not the first Hogwartsstudent from a muggle family and sometimes these families need to contact their children

I dunno.....a good thing that you posted the question though...I've been wondering the same thing. Maybe they just leave it near a window and the owl picks it up. I've also wondered how Hedwig sometimes seems to know that someone, like Hagrid in PS, wants to send Harry a message

The moving staircases (and vanishing steps - leap steps) have always struck me as a mystery with an explanation in Potterverse. In POA the movie, the sight of Hogwarts as a giant clock got me thinking the staircases were like the hands of a watch - but a very complicated watch.

Was Hogwarts itself a huge time-piece, or even a huge ancient time-turner?

Why can't you apparate off Hogwarts grounds? Would you end up in a different time? How do different generations of students come and go at Hogwarts? Well the only things in or out come by ground or by owl.
What if you bring your own time with you when you step onto the grounds?

I guess one could say *cough*fanfic, but someone pointed out that the theory of Scabbers the rat as Harry's Dad's betraying friend, hidden for 12 years, would have been laughable if espoused prior to Book 3, and I'm thinking that Book 7 will reveal many of the mysteries that we've just gotten used to as part of the Hogwarts mystic.
What about the lifted ban on apparition during HPB?

I have a theory that Madam Pince is Snape's mother, Eileen Prince.
Her name is Irma Pince = I'm a Prince.
The theory for this is in accio brains thread, posts 1402 and following, canon at 1419.

What is the librarian (and Eileen Prince's) name in other languages?

What about the lifted ban on apparition during HPB?

Just within the walls of the great hall.

So if you think of Hogwarts as an island in time, you can apparate within the island,
but not off the edge into the real world where there would be a disjunct of time. (Explains the elves too).

They don't want the kids to make mistakes so it is totally forbidden.

Also outsiders can't get TO hogwarts, because they can't "visualize" the Destination (step 1) or TIME where it is - that is a secret.

But people on Hogwarts can probably get off it, if they are VERY SKILLED at apparition through time, like Dumbledore may have been, ie Dumbledore and Fawkes, in OOP.

It really starts to explain a lot of Hogwarts oddities.

I have a theory that Madam Pince is Snape's mother, Eileen Prince.
Her name is Irma Pince = I'm a Prince.
The theory for this is in accio brains thread, posts 1402 and following, canon at 1419.

What is the librarian (and Eileen Prince's) name in other languages?
Where is the Accio brains thread?

I dunno ... I mean the kids have seen a pic of Eileen Prince and, even though it would have been taken nearly forty years before, you'd think they'd have recognised her :). Plus, when Madame Pince saw the defaced book she went, erm, nuts (sorry brain not working ,can't think of any cleverer way to put that) rather than, you know, saying 'hey that's my book!'.

I have a theory that Madam Pince is Snape's mother, Eileen Prince.
Her name is Irma Pince = I'm a Prince.
The theory for this is in accio brains thread, posts 1402 and following, canon at 1419.

What is the librarian (and Eileen Prince's) name in other languages?

Just a guess, here, I do not have any foreign-language HP books lying about. But I think that the translators are more or less forced to translate the last name of Eileen. Otherwise, the name of the title character in HBP will make very little sense.

(So if there IS something to the anagram theory, it is very unlikely that the translators could hope to reproduce it in the native language.)

there's always the anagram thread for adding that anagram in and continuing on the conversation.