CoSForums Archive - Where are Lily and James buried? aka What happened to the Potters' bodies?

harp230

May 28th, 2003, 11:17 pm

I would imagine that they would have to be burrieed somewhere. We know ofrom GOF that Avarda Kedrva does not leave any marks, So unless something else happened (resulting from or causing the house to be destroyed) or there was some oter issues involved their bodies should presumably be healthy and intact( other than the fact that they are dead.

I guess this is just one of those questions I can't figure out why Harry has not asked? Surely there most be something somewhere or there is more to the issue of what happened( well obviously, but maybe more beyond previous speculation). Why hasn't it occured to Harry (or even someone else) to see where his parents are burried. Given all of the evidence we have so far they must be burried somewhere. ummmmm....

Kristus_Vesanus

May 28th, 2003, 11:33 pm

I think they're buried somewhere in Godric's Hollow. I think JK might have mentioned it in an interview, but then again, I could be wrong...

familiar

May 28th, 2003, 11:56 pm

Harry was never encouraged to ask questions, and is just starting to realize that it's okay to be curious. So I don't think it's too unusual that he hasn't asked where they are buried. Perhaps in one of the next 3 books we'll find out.

Mini'Grid

May 29th, 2003, 12:30 am

new place visited : Godrics Hollow, his land and his parents grave.
(not a fact, but my moneys on it.)

Daily Propheter

May 29th, 2003, 12:36 am

I think that James' and Lily's memorial/burial is probably somewhere near Godric's Hollow, and I agree that that's one of the new magical places Harry will be visiting in the upcoming books.

Barbara Kennedy

May 29th, 2003, 12:47 am

I don't remember if it was discussed in this thread or not [it has been a while since I posted to it] but it may hold some information you are seeking.
What Will Harry Discover About Lilly and James Potter?
http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?s=&threadid=239

There was a similar thread at one time, asking almost the same thing yours does, but it may still be lost.

Mary Jane

May 31st, 2003, 5:11 pm

If there were any remains I would think they would've been buried near James family home, (since his family had money I'm assuming they would have one) which could very well be in Godic's Hollow.

Umm, are wizards traditionally buried? Just a thought. We know Riddle Sr. was buried but he was a muggle. Maybe wizards have another rite (i.e. cremation?) for the dead.

sarcasticx514

June 1st, 2003, 4:39 am

I think the Lily and James graves are in Gordic Hollow. I don't know where else can they be . . .

Jedi Potter

June 1st, 2003, 4:46 am

Good question what happens when a wizard dies? Are they buried, cremated or what? Maybe it will be explained in OOTP

Barbara Kennedy

June 1st, 2003, 5:10 am

They are likely buried at Godrics Hollow, unless there is a Potter family cemetary on ancestral grounds somewhere.

Bouncing_Ferret

June 1st, 2003, 6:16 am

I think that if the Potters weren't blown up, they would definitely be buried in a wizard cemetery somewhere. I can't see them ever being cremated because JK is pretty traditionalist in her writing, so I see her sticking with burials.

However, Hagrid did say in SS/PS that Harry's parents were blown up (or was that only in the movie???), so this makes me think that there wasn't ever much left to bury...

Nekomata

June 1st, 2003, 7:11 am

No, their bodies weren't destroyed...I don't remember who said it, whether it was Sirius or Hagrid (I think it was Sirius, but now I don't remember in which book, lol), that they had seen their bodies.

aragog

June 1st, 2003, 9:37 am

Aunt Petunia did say Harry's parents "got themselves blown up", but that may just be a line from the movie only. The movie doesn't show Lily getting "blown up", though; it just shows her falling to the ground after Voldie cast his curse. However, movies shouldn't be taken as proof as we all know, so...

If they are indeed buried I would guess that it has something to do with Godric's Hollow. It seems more like a name of a cemetary than a residental area (for lack of a better term) to me.

sarcasticx514

June 1st, 2003, 9:32 pm

They show Lily falling to the ground in the movie? Erm, I have never seen that part. Is it in the beggining and which movie, PS/SS or COS?

aragog

June 1st, 2003, 10:23 pm

Well, maybe my memory exaggerated it a little bit, but in PS/SS, when Hagrid is telling Harry about his parents for the first time after their day in Diagon Alley, it shows a flashback of Voldie killing Lily. She starts to fall but it doesn't show the whole thing, i.e. her hitting the ground.

Another example of someone not getting "blown up" would be Cedric Diggory. The book describes his body hitting the ground but not exploding or disintegrating or what have you.

AvadaKedavra

June 1st, 2003, 10:33 pm

The house got blown up because of the power of Harry reflecting voldies curse- Lily would have hit the floor stone dead- the house would be still fine- it was only when Harry reflected VOldies curse that things really got hot....... Avada Kedavra does not affect wizards other than change their status from living to dead. A slight change of subject- JKR has said that we will find why some wizards become ghosts and why some dont- and also that we will find something BIG about Lily Potter- her grave? (I know v. unlikely but just pure speculation)

Goldie

June 2nd, 2003, 2:01 am

Before I saw this thread, I really thought that the new magical place Harry would visit would be the Ministry.

I've changed my mind. Visiting his parents' graves at Godric's Hollow seems more likely. It's only natural that he'd do that now that he knows more about his parents. If that's what happens, it could turn out to be one of the more memorable parts of the book.

Siriusly_Addicted

June 2nd, 2003, 2:27 am

Originally posted by harp230 (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=341509#post341509))
I would imagine that they would have to be burrieed somewhere. We know ofrom GOF that Avarda Kedrva does not leave any marks, So unless something else happened (resulting from or causing the house to be destroyed) or there was some oter issues involved their bodies should presumably be healthy and intact( other than the fact that they are dead.

I guess this is just one of those questions I can't figure out why Harry has not asked? Surely there most be something somewhere or there is more to the issue of what happened( well obviously, but maybe more beyond previous speculation). Why hasn't it occured to Harry (or even someone else) to see where his parents are burried. Given all of the evidence we have so far they must be burried somewhere. ummmmm....

We know from GoF that the curse leaves no marks, but Harry didn't realize that until Cedric died (unless you count the spider in Moody's class). He didn't actually SEE Frank B. hit the ground, and he never "saw" his parents' bodies to know that they were unmarked. My guess is that he assumed that their bodies were destroyed along with the house. I certainly would have, at any rate. I mean, even he had a scar, and he surivived. He probably would have expected their bodies to be badly damaged.

I think that's one of the questions he'll have after he's had the summer to think things over. Considering the year he just finished, it probably hadn't all had a chance to really sink in before he went home for the summer.

harp230

June 2nd, 2003, 2:35 am

Good point, I missed that one. He probally would have assumed that.
Harry does specify that he realizes that is how his parents died in Moody's class. That is when he should have begun questioning , but w eknow Harry, nat that I blame him or anything....I am sure it will bw a summer thought ...

gred&forge4ever

June 2nd, 2003, 2:36 am

I think that Godric's Hollow is a logical place for their graves.

miri

June 2nd, 2003, 4:05 pm

It's possible he already knows. Just because he didn't know how they had died when he was younger doesn't mean he never saw their grave. Even though Petunia and Lily were hardly close doesn't mean she never took him to see his mother's grave. After all, wouldn't the neighbours expect it? It's a customary thing to do!

That's assuming that wizards and witches don't have separate cemetaries. As there are very few all-wizarding communities (ie, 1 in the UK) I don't think that it would be particularly practical for them to have their own. Still, they don't necessarily need to be practical!

Of course, he could have been told they were cremated and scattered.

Moonstone

June 2nd, 2003, 5:39 pm

I can't see Petunia taking Harry to visit his parents' graves. It just goes against her whole "try to pretend never to have had a sister" mindset. And it could lead to questions (from Harry or the neighbors) about Lily, which Petunia would not tolerate. As far as Petunia is concerned, it was bad enough she was saddled with Harry. Revisiting the past by visiting the graves just doesn't seem like something she'd do.

miri

June 2nd, 2003, 11:13 pm

If your sister died and you had to look after her son, wouldn't taking him to visit her grave seem normal?

They might hide Harry from guests, but the neighbours know about him, and that he's their nephew. He always thought they'd died in a car-crash. Harry wouldn't dare answer her back.

To the neighbours: 'We weren't close, but when she died, of course we took her son in! We are all the family he has left!'

She can't pretend she never had a sister. If she does, where did Harry come from? She pretends that magic doesn't exist. far less complicated ;)

Siriusly_Addicted

June 3rd, 2003, 1:59 am

Originally posted by miri (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=349474#post349474))
If your sister died and you had to look after her son, wouldn't taking him to visit her grave seem normal?

They might hide Harry from guests, but the neighbours know about him, and that he's their nephew. He always thought they'd died in a car-crash. Harry wouldn't dare answer her back.

To the neighbours: 'We weren't close, but when she died, of course we took her son in! We are all the family he has left!'

She can't pretend she never had a sister. If she does, where did Harry come from? She pretends that magic doesn't exist. far less complicated ;)

I think taking Harry to the Potters' graves would be more effort than Petunia is willing to expend on Harry. She probably told the neighbors that the Potter family was touring Indonesia or someplace very far away when the car crash happened, and that they were buried or cremated there. That would give the Dursley's all the excuse they need to ignore it.

aragog

June 3rd, 2003, 2:20 am

The Dursley's aren't exactly apt to do anything kind or considerate for Harry anytime soon. Taking Harry to his paren'ts grave (if they even *have* one..) would be way beyond anything they're willing to do, ever. They don't even like hearing mention of Harry's parents at all, nonetheless acknowledging their existence - and emotional importance to Harry - by visiting their gravesite.

sarcasticx514

June 3rd, 2003, 2:29 am

Originally posted by aragog (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=349765#post349765))
The Dursley's aren't exactly apt to do anything kind or considerate for Harry anytime soon. Taking Harry to his paren'ts grave (if they even *have* one..) would be way beyond anything they're willing to do, ever. They don't even like hearing mention of Harry's parents at all, nonetheless acknowledging their existence - and emotional importance to Harry - by visiting their gravesite.

The Dursley's wouldn't even dare bring Harry to his parents grave. Not even to cause him more distress by taking him. . . Putunia did not like talking about her family, and I doubt she would even go to a funeral/grave site of the family.

miri

June 3rd, 2003, 2:32 am

sarcasticx, you think maybe they didn't because they'd realised that the *stuff* that seemed to happen around Harry tended to happen when he was in emotional distress???? :wow:

I like that theory - different angle, fresh approach :)

(Or are you saying that taking him there would be all for him and upset Petunia, so she wouldn't?)

harp230

June 3rd, 2003, 2:33 am

Was it her whole family or her sister that she does not like My impression was that it was just her sister that she avoided. Even though her parents seem to be a sore spot, but seems to blame Lily there. Any support or evidence for the whole family, I am just curious.

black&potter

June 3rd, 2003, 2:42 am

Excellent question , In fact I have many new thoughts about what maybe coming at the beginning of the OotP now!!!!
I never really gave this hard thought but , I bet harry will be wanting to visit them now, and he should. Maybe he will visit them with Sirius possibly even dumbledore befor the school year begins

sarcasticx514

June 3rd, 2003, 2:45 am

Originally posted by miri (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=349793#post349793))
sarcasticx, you think maybe they didn't because they'd realised that the *stuff* that seemed to happen around Harry tended to happen when he was in emotional distress???? :wow:

I like that theory - different angle, fresh approach :)

(Or are you saying that taking him there would be all for him and upset Petunia, so she wouldn't?)

Yes, the *stuff* did seemed to happen when Harry was distressed. They wouldn't want to bring him at the grave site because 1) They want to be normal. Imagine what Harry might do, when he's really upset, and he might embarass them? I wouldn't blame Harry. But to them, anything that does bring the magic out, they will try to avoid.

2)Also it would be all for him. It wouldn't upset Petunia in a way where it's like "Oh, my sister, I didn't want you around and now your dead" and she starts blubbering. No, it would upset her by the fact that she actually saw her sister, when she didn't want to, and she feels Lily deserved to die for persuing (sp?) her magic ablilties.

I hope I explained it right to you. :) If I didn't, I'll try to make it more clearer.

miri

June 3rd, 2003, 3:34 am

Yep, you did! Thanks! The 2nd one, other people had mentioned, butt he first I hadn;t considered :)

Linda

June 3rd, 2003, 4:26 am

Perhaps not visiting the grave, if it exists, was in Dumbledore's original letter to the Dursleys when he left Harry on the doorstep (side note: I wonder if OOP will tell us what was in that letter).

Even if the Dursleys are so rotten and so uncaring as to not take Harry to his parents graves, it seems to me that Hagrid would do so. Since Hagrid never did, I'm wondering if there are instructions not to do this until Harry is ready.

sarcasticx514

June 3rd, 2003, 4:38 pm

Originally posted by Linda (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=349997#post349997))
Perhaps not visiting the grave, if it exists, was in Dumbledore's original letter to the Dursleys when he left Harry on the doorstep (side note: I wonder if OOP will tell us what was in that letter).

Even if the Dursleys are so rotten and so uncaring as to not take Harry to his parents graves, it seems to me that Hagrid would do so. Since Hagrid never did, I'm wondering if there are instructions not to do this until Harry is ready.

I think Dumbledore is waiting for Sirius to do that. I think since Sirius is Harry's godfather, wouldn't it be right if he brought him to the grave than Hagrid, or Dumbledore himself?

Moonstone

June 3rd, 2003, 5:36 pm

I think since Sirius is Harry's godfather, wouldn't it be right if he brought him to the grave

That would be an emotionally touching scene.

sarcasticx514

June 3rd, 2003, 5:46 pm

Originally posted by Moonstone (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=350515#post350515))
That would be an emotionally touching scene.

It would be, and it would be just right for those two only. . .I can't see no one else going with Harry. :'( :'(

Daily Propheter

June 5th, 2003, 12:28 am

Originally posted by Moonstone (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=350515#post350515))
That would be an emotionally touching scene.

If it were Sirius who brought him to their grave, I know I would start bawling...

sarcasticx514

June 5th, 2003, 1:13 am

Originally posted by Daily Propheter (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=352856#post352856))
If it were Sirius who brought him to their grave, I know I would start bawling...

It would probably be one of the best scenes in the book. . .

Morgan LeFay

October 26th, 2003, 2:57 pm

Wow, it was post so long time ago. I think now you need to find another way for Harry to see his parents graves. I don't think they have ones in fact. We saw only muggles' graveyards, not wizards'.

Siriusly_Addicted

October 26th, 2003, 7:46 pm

Wow, it was post so long time ago. I think now you need to find another way for Harry to see his parents graves. I don't think they have ones in fact. We saw only muggles' graveyards, not wizards'.

It's really interesting to go back and look at some of our ideas from pre-OotP. :lol: Given the events and revelations of OotP, I'm not sure we'll be seeing L&J's graves, if they have any, before sometime in book 7.

As far as Petunia taking Harry there, I believe that even less now than I did before, and I didn't believe it then. First of all, I still think she's not likely to go to that much trouble for Harry - she's done enough (in her mind, anyway) just by taking him in all these years. That's more than I would have given her credit for though, and she rose a tiny bit in my estimation. She definitely knows more than she's telling, although I'm not sure about what, and I don't know that we'll get the details from her until book 7.

It's also possible that DD told her not to go there, even if she knew where to go. If the Death Eaters were after Harry, isn't that one place they'd be watching? After all, DD is the only one until now who has known that only LV can kill Harry (if that's what the Prophecy meant). The DE's might have attacked, but that would only have killed the Dursleys and left Harry with no protection from LV.

After the bit with Snape's memories in the Pensieve, I think Harry will start asking more questions about his parents. He's wondering how they ever got together in the first place, and that really seems to be bothering him so I think he'll try to find out more about them. Maybe one of the reasons he didn't ask before was because he had built them both in his mind as such thoroughly wonderful people and he didn't need any more than that. Now he does. I just don't know if he'll question Lupin, DD or Hagrid. Maybe all three?

[Pretty]_[Unicorn]

October 26th, 2003, 8:41 pm

Wasn't the house burned down afterwards so maybe they were burned to ashes. If they were buried why hasn't HP been informed? I think that he would know right away especially from DD or Sirius which leaves us with the possibilities that they were burned to pieces or maybe some strange unanswerable thing happened?

LunaRocks

October 26th, 2003, 8:55 pm

i dont think they were all burned up hagrid and sirius both said they saw their bodies. they must be buried somewhere and ive been wondering. Lupin must have been very lonelly after they died peter "died" and sirius was in azkaban so maybe he visited the graves alot. now sirius is gone too perhaps he'll take harry to their graves. maybe sirius will get a little memorial placque next to their graves too.....

dobby_rocks

October 26th, 2003, 9:04 pm

Well they most be buried some where in POA Siruis says when he saw their bodies or something. It still isnt know why their entire house was destoryed.

Id guess a cemietary they most have those for wizarding people as well, i wonder why harry has never been told where they are so he could vist thier graves

LunaRocks makes very good sense, i mean Lupin must have atteend a wake or something for the Potters. Siruis was in Jail and Peter was "Dead"

that poor man he is put in the exact same postion at the end of book 5 , he was back when the Potters were killed.

Morgan LeFay

October 27th, 2003, 4:21 pm

After the bit with Snape's memories in the Pensieve, I think Harry will start asking more questions about his parents. He's wondering how they ever got together in the first place, and that really seems to be bothering him so I think he'll try to find out more about them. Maybe one of the reasons he didn't ask before was because he had built them both in his mind as such thoroughly wonderful people and he didn't need any more than that. Now he does. I just don't know if he'll question Lupin, DD or Hagrid. Maybe all three?

I still don't know why he hadn't asked those questions before.

Siriusly_Addicted

October 28th, 2003, 2:50 am

I still don't know why he hadn't asked those questions before.

Because JKR needs to draw the plot out over seven books instead of one.

That's the most logical reason I can come up with at the moment, I'm afraid. :lol:

eVaNeScEnCe

October 28th, 2003, 3:16 am

It'd be nice if Harry visited his parents' graves at some point before the end of the series. Would make for a very emotional scene and would sort of bring closure to Harry's feelings about his parents' deaths. Plus, if they are near Godric's Hollow, it'd be a good excuse to visit it.

purplehawk

October 28th, 2003, 3:45 am

I have a hard time with Harry not asking more questions about his parents' lives and deaths. He doesn't know even the small details of what they did for a living, what happened to his grandparents - on both sides. It surely is a plot vacuum, probably intentional and done to string out the plot a bit longer, but it is not realistic. A young boy of Harry's temperament would have had tons of questions about the little things. Every time I read or recall Dumbledore's "tell-all" conversation at the end of OotP, I cannot believe Harry didn't ask then. I realize he was grief-stricken, stunned by the news he did get, and all that, but if I'd been in his shoes I would have had so many questions Dumbledore would have thought he'd been saddled with Chatty Cathy.

LunaRocks

October 28th, 2003, 7:08 pm

heres a theory.....
harry probably hasn't asked about his parents before because while he was at the dursleys questions were forbidden so he cant ask there

once he got to the wizarding world, lots of things all started happening at once which probably took his mind off his parents directly eg philosophers stone, dobby, sirius, triwzard, voldemorts return, etc etc

now that sirius has gone *sob* and after the pensive scene in OotP, he'll probably feel like he wants to know more about them and sirius and will probably become closer to lupin (hence my theory about lupin showing him the graves) as he is the only one left of their close friends

also, as the seires goes along it becomes clearer that harry (and his parents) destinies are closly linked to voldemorts (espec. after the prophecy) which gives him more reason to ask now

Siriusly_Addicted

October 29th, 2003, 1:56 am

I think OotP was the only chance Harry has really had so far to ask questions and get answers. He could have asked several times over the years, but he would not have gotten answers. All that would have accomplished was to make him angrier earlier out of sheer frustration, and I think JKR wanted to avoid that.

He would either need to ask his relatives or his friends in the wizarding world, since these are the only people who could reasonably know the details of Lily's and James' lives and deaths. So far:

The Dursleys - Petunia knows more than she's telling, but the problem is that she's not telling. Harry can ask until he's blue in the face and all he'll get is a new complexion. She may have no choice but to be more forthcoming in the next book, though.

The Weasleys - They weren't in the OotP the first time around, and I haven't seen anything to indicate that they actually knew the Potters. I don't think they have much in the way of actual information, and I believe the reason Harry hasn't tried asking them is because he doesn't think they know anything.

Snape - Harry wouldn't believe a word Snape said, even if Snape told him the truth.

Lupin, Sirius, Hagrid, McGonagall and Dumbledore - These are the logical people to ask, but Dumbledore is calling the shots. He made it clear in PS/SS that he wasn't telling Harry more than absolutely necessary, and I don't think any of the others would go against his wishes (especially since they were all in the Order). The problem with answering Harry's questions about his parents is that they would either give only partial answers, or would give answers that would lead to the very questions Dumbledore has been trying to avoid.

There's also the question of opportunity.

Harry didn't ask Lupin while Lupin was teaching, probably because he didn't realize that Lupin knew Lily and James that well until after the Shrieking Shack incident. Then Lupin left and they lost touch for a year. When Lupin came back, Harry only saw him at #12, in the fire, or in the DoM. None of these were opportune moments for asking such questions.

Harry hasn't spent much time with Sirius. Yes, he would have had time at #12, but Sirius would have respected DD's wishes and sidestepped the questions (IMO). These are not the kind of questions to ask in writing, so Owls are out.

Hagrid does whatever Dumbledore says, and Dumbledore said Harry wasn't to know.

McGonagall respects Dumbledore's judgement and would also respect his wishes. Besides, I'm not sure Harry would have been comfortable enough with McGonagall before OotP to ask her questions about his parents.

Dumbledore is the key to the silence on this subject; he's the one Harry should have been asking, and it sounds like he might have given in if Harry had asked. In PS/SS, Dumbledore said he wouldn't lie, but that he basically reserved the right to refuse to answer. Since he did refuse the first time Harry asked, maybe Harry figured he still wouldn't talk?

Anyway, I think the silence has been broken. Dumbledore has decided that Harry needs to know now, and I think that either he or Lupin will be answering some of Harry's questions in book 6, probably starting during the summer holidays. I definitely think Harry will ask now. I do understand why Dumbledore didn't press the issue in his office. If the story on James and Lily is depressing, and it probably is, I don't think Harry could/should have dealt with it at that particular moment. He was suffering enough just then, and after 14 years of ignorance about his parents a few more weeks won't matter much.

I wonder if JKR plans to have Petunia answer some of Harry's questions? :eyebrows: I know she took him in to keep him alive, but I still think she owes him some answers.

haycheng

October 29th, 2003, 3:25 am

I always assume the bodies are burn up in the fire of the house. Since someone mention that the bodies are found, that would be the case. It is also very interesting that Harry never ask. While Harry worship his parents, he asked suprisely few questions about them. May be it is just a too touchy topic for him?

It is very posible Lily & Jame are buried in Potter's family grave if the Potters have one. It is also possible that the couples choose other method to due with their bodies, such as burn it to ash.

If there is a grave, I doubt we will see it soon. Most of the time, Harry spend his time in school or with his Aunt. I just do not see him have the chance to see grave, especially during the darkage of Vmort. I believe Harry will visit the grave in the end if he is left alive in HP.

magicsocks

October 30th, 2003, 11:09 pm

I was just wondering if Lily and James are buried somewhere. If they died from Avada Kedavra, and then the house was destroyed, were their bodies destroyed as well? If not, there should be some sort of memorial to them. If there is, I think now would be a good time for Harry to go and see it...What do you think? Where would you think it would be???

Is Godric's hollow a small town, a country manor, or a castle, or what?

rotsiepots

October 31st, 2003, 12:08 am

Is Godric's hollow a small town, a country manor, or a castle, or what?

Godric's Hollow is a village. :)

dink

November 1st, 2003, 5:37 pm

The first answer to pop into my head upon seeing the question "where are Harry's parents buried" was unfortunately "underneath a pile of rubble". Sorry. :D

However, even if they were buried in some sweetly overgrown and spooky wizards' graveyard (and there's no reason to assume that wizards even have graveyards, as far as I know) - why would Harry want to go and look at it? It's morbid and unhelpful, and won't bring him any closer to them. In fact, that photo album that Hagrid put together for him is probably the best thing he has to make a connection with the parents he never knew. And possibly he's never asked about seeing where they're buried because the idea is simply too upsetting for him.

AmeCassee

April 10th, 2004, 4:46 am

Hi everyone!

I'm new, so forgive me if I repeat anything already said. :blush:

Very intresting topic, it drew my attention immediatly. I know that though, farfetched, it does seem possible.

The door that was locked in the DOM, we know it had something to do with love, so what if the Potter's graves were behind there? After all, theres was the untimate sacrifice for love, it would be a prime example.

I know it seems unlikly, but I had to put it out there!

tjrih

April 10th, 2004, 4:52 am

Bear with me for a moment, but what if there is no wizard cemeteries? What if the job of the Unspeakables is to collect the bodies of the deceased witches and wizards and transport the remains to the veil in the MOM, where they are accepted by the spirits or whatever are on the other side? Just a thought.....

koli

April 10th, 2004, 5:17 am

i thought that too since sirius' body was sucked behind it... so no1 would have to bring it to it. So maybe harry was destined to find out about it... ugh i wanna find out more about this ruddy veil

springthing4

April 10th, 2004, 5:31 am

hagrid said that he couldn't find anything in the house...but cedric's bodt wasn't destoyed with avada kedava so i dunno....

AmeCassee

April 10th, 2004, 5:47 am

lol koli, I hear ya!

I want to know about that veil too, I have so many questions that I have to have answered! Its driving me insane! Its a very good point, hmmm I'll have to think about this one, throwing the bodies behind the veil, but please correct me becuase I dont remember, but didnt JKR say that there not really "gone" to the people behind the veil or is that from somewhere else? I'm so lost.....

RosePetal4ever

April 10th, 2004, 1:53 pm

I think that 1. they were destroyed or 2. they were barried somewhere that J.K. Rowling hasn't mentioned yet. Or they could of even been barried in the same cymmetery as Harry was standing in during book 4.

But also to the other comment. I also think that soon would be a good time to go to there grave if they were actually barried. I am actually suprised that J.K. Rowling didn't put that in book 5. I thought that Dumbledore would of taken him to the grave or somthing. Or Harry would of at least asked about it.

harryfantotheend

April 10th, 2004, 3:24 pm

I think that this is crucial to some plot-line. We all know that the night Lily and James died is one of the huge secrets to the book. If im remembering correctly, I think that JK said somewhere that its part of the whole connection that we will see at the end of book 7. There is something fishy going on with that whole night. Some important detail JK is holding out on us. Thats a very good question "Where did the bodies go?" and I think that it will be revealed in book 7. I also have the feeling that if someone asked JK that in a chat, she would reply with something like "clever. you will find out." Just my 2 knuts.

Happy Posting! :)

tjrih

April 10th, 2004, 5:07 pm

I am not sure about that cemetery in GoF because Riddle's father was buried there, meaning it had muggles. We need more information!!! haha

DarkMark90

April 10th, 2004, 5:07 pm

Was there house burned down the night they died? If it was, then the bodies wouldn't exist anymore. If the house wasn't burned down, could the bodies still be in it? Could they have been buried in the graveyard in GoF?

OrlisGrape

April 10th, 2004, 5:33 pm

I would be guessing Godrics Hollow somewhere. I never really thought about it, but now that it's come up, Why hasn''t harry asked about it? It seems kindof odd. He loves them alot, even though he never met them, but you'd think he'd ask Hagrid about that. I mean they are his parents! Hmm...

Nys

May 28th, 2004, 12:31 pm

I did a search for this, but didn't find anything....

Who was it who first discovered the bodies of the Potter's? I was reading something on JK's website saying how she'd had to change the way that their bodies were found, but the question remains, who found them?

- Hagrid was sent to the Potter's house deliberately to get Harry, so Dumbledore obviously knew.

- Sirius had checked on Peter, and discovered he wasn't at his hiding place, to automatically went to the Potter's, Hagrid was already there, so it obviously wasn't him who raised the alarm.

- There can't have been any wizards looking for the Potter's from the good side, cause they all knew they wouldn't be able to find them. But I guess they could have just come across the house.

- Could have also have been a muggle, but I'd say their memories would have been changed by now.

To make my question clearer, who do you think first found the bodies of the Potter's, and how would Dumbledore have found out so quickly?

purplehawk

May 28th, 2004, 12:37 pm

Dumbledore and his "Voldometer"... that tinkling, whirring machine in his office. Or, possibly, a portrait planted in the Potters' home. I assume Fawkes was dispatched to Godric's Hollow at once after the alarm was raised, and that he was followed shortly by Hagrid.

rotsiepots

May 28th, 2004, 12:46 pm

Hagrid said he got to Godric's Hollow before all the Muggles started "swarmin' around", so he must have been there shortly after the attacks took place. I'm sure Dumbledore had spies at Godric's Hollow, so they probably transported the bodies to a secure location (the Ministry?) after the attacks.

I don't think anyone "discovered" them, as such, but Sirius spoke of seeing their bodies in PoA:

"...I set out for your parents house straight away. And when I saw their house, destroyed, and their bodies -- I realised what Peter must have done..."
Taken from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban page 268.

The question is -- what happened to their bodies?

Nys

May 28th, 2004, 1:11 pm

But would Dumbledore have known their hiding place? He didn't know that Sirius was no longer their secret keeper?

I still don't quite understand the charm that was used, could Dumbledore have had a portrait connected to the Potter's? If the Charm used was unbreakable, why would there have been a need to have spies in Godric's Hollow?

Rotsiepots- you raise a good point, I wonder whether wizards have grave yards like muggles?
I wonder whether Harry will ever go to where his parents bodies are?
Should this thread be changed to "The Bodies of the Potter's"?

Magi

May 28th, 2004, 1:37 pm

But would Dumbledore have known their hiding place? He didn't know that Sirius was no longer their secret keeper?He knew Sirius was not the secret keeper, since Dumbledore would have probably been involved with casting the charm.

The Fidelius Charm allows the Secret Keeper to directly tell (either in speech or in their own handwriting) another person the secret. But those other people cannot mention the secret to those who do not already know about it.

I guess that Dumbledore might have had some kind of Dark detector placed around Godric's Hollow.

Windstar

May 28th, 2004, 1:56 pm

I have also wondered where the Potters' bodies were. Could they be in the MoM behind one of those locked doors for some reason? Where else could they have been taken?

I never really knew how Dumbledore knew what had happened in Godric's Hollow. He has told Harry that he has been watching him even closer than he realized, maybe he has a sort of gazing ball that would allow him to keep an eye on things that he thinks is important.

I'm not sure about Fawkes being sent out and coming back to tell Dumbledore what he had seen because that seems like it would have taken quite a bit of time. I don't think it would take the muggles all that much time to come out and start swarming around after an explosion had occured so Dumebledore had to find out almost immediately in order to get Hagrid there in time.

Nys

May 28th, 2004, 2:05 pm

He knew Sirius was not the secret keeper, since Dumbledore would have probably been involved with casting the charm.
This isn't so, because if he knew that Sirius wasn't the secret keeper, than Sirius wouldn't have gone to Azkaban...

rotsiepots

May 28th, 2004, 2:23 pm

He knew Sirius was not the secret keeper, since Dumbledore would have probably been involved with casting the charm.

The Fidelius Charm allows the Secret Keeper to directly tell (either in speech or in their own handwriting) another person the secret. But those other people cannot mention the secret to those who do not already know about it.

I think Lily might have been responsible for casting parts of the Fidelius Charm. If the Sirius / Peter switch was known to Dumbledore then, as Nys said, Sirius wouldn't have been accused of being a dark wizard. Sirius also talks of convincing Lily and James to switch to Peter, not convincing Dumbledore. I think they played a large part in their own protection.

Besides, Dumbledore also acknowledges that: "I myself gave evidence to the Ministry that Sirius had been the Potters' Secret-Keeper..." (pg 287 PoA)

Nys

May 28th, 2004, 2:30 pm

I wonder whether wizard's would have a section where they experiment on the dead? Like we muggles do? It wouldn't surprise me if there was a section of the MoM where they studied the AK curse... and the Potter's would be great research material.

Though I wonder whether Dumbledore wants too many people knowing what it was that saved Harry...

Also maybe wizards have their own version of an undertaker, who works for the Ministry of Magic.....

(just more random thoughts put down)

Northcott

May 28th, 2004, 2:38 pm

I thought that Sirius' death was a particularly cruel blow to Harry because of the lack of a body. There is, after all, something about the waking process that gives a sense of closure. Something about having a tangible grave to visit that gives a strange sort of comfort -- even if a hollow one.

Then I realized that we've never heard of Harry visiting his parent's graves. Never even asking about it. One would presume that they're buried somewhere. Given their standing, and the relatively high power of their friends (Dumbledore standing out in that regard), I'd think that they would be guaranteed a dignified burial at the very least.

They're probably buried where they lived... but it would be nice to see this point addressed in the books.

Magi

May 28th, 2004, 3:59 pm

This isn't so, because if he knew that Sirius wasn't the secret keeper, than Sirius wouldn't have gone to Azkaban...Of course, you're right! How clumsy of me to have overlooked that.

I think Lily might have been responsible for casting parts of the Fidelius Charm.Indeed. Lily was described as possessing a wand suited for Charms (PS/SS at Olivander's shop), so she could have possibly cast the Fidelius herself.

In fact, it would make a lot of sense for the protectee to cast the charm. That way, the only person who knows the identity of the Secret Keeper would be the ones being protected by the Fidelius Charm. Of course, in this case, we have Sirius as the weak link, but he didn't turn out to the weak link anyway.

Kirsten

May 29th, 2004, 9:19 pm

Just a quick answer to what happens to wizards when they die: early in Prisoner of Azkaban, Ron and Harry are talking about Harry not being expelled for blowing up Aunt Marge, and Ron says that if he'd blown up an Aunt, he dreads to think what the Ministry would do - but they'd have to dig him up first because his Mum would have killed him. So that suggests it's not uncommon for wizards to be buried when they die.

I wonder whether wizard's would have a section where they experiment on the dead? Like we muggles do?
I'm not aware of humans experimenting on the dead! What do you mean?

roxiefire

May 29th, 2004, 10:00 pm

I'm not aware of humans experimenting on the dead! What do you mean?
Maybe not quite experimentation, but scientific research. Things that take place in Cadaver Labs. I think it would be normal for the wizarding world to have something similar.

Kirsten

May 29th, 2004, 10:13 pm

You mean autopsies? Post mortem examinations? Those are only for the purpose of determining how somebody died. I don't think research on bodies is legal, unless you leave your body to medical science, and they they generally use them for the medical and therapy students to dissect. They stink to high heaven, all that formalin. That was my least favourite part of my training.

jen15poms

May 30th, 2004, 2:19 am

This may have something to do with the quote from the director of PoA...he said something about wanting to show a particular wing of the castle, but JK wouldn't let him...she said that this particular area of the grounds is where a cemetary is located, and this cemetary will play an important role in the upcoming books. I'm thinking that this is possibly where Lily and James are buried??? I will attempt to find the interview so you all can see exactly what I am talking about..........

Nys

May 30th, 2004, 8:51 am

Please do because that would be particularly interesting to read, and I haven't come across it before...

Also yes, I did basically mean post mortums and stuff like that, but more so I was thinking that they could research the affects of AK on the wizards body, so that they could try to find something to counter it. Though as I said, I don't know if Dumbledore would want too many people knowing what it was that saved Harry.

Wab

May 30th, 2004, 3:02 pm

If there were bodies thhey would have to be dealt with and if they were blown to smithereens one would assume (especially given the circumstances of their deaths) there would be some sort of memorial.

Just another thing Harrry seems oddly incurious about.

Nys

May 31st, 2004, 11:17 pm

There definately were bodies, both Sirius and Hagrid have said at one point or another that they saw Lily and James bodies after the house was blown to smithereens. And we know from the Riddle's murders that the bodies aren't blown up, they just look like they've died of natural causes.

I guess Harry doesn't know to ask questions, and doesn't know anything about death...

springthing4

May 31st, 2004, 11:28 pm

Their bodies probably got buried under all debris of the house.

Lanya Celebrian

May 31st, 2004, 11:39 pm

By now...scientifically speaking, they should and probably are decomposed into the ground... That is if no one took their bodies away from the debris.

ErickGama

June 1st, 2004, 12:45 am

Do you think that the bodies were probably blown up from the curses. Maybe Voldemort got rid of the bodies so that no one could see what curse hit them.

82sirhc

June 15th, 2004, 6:40 am

I wonder did they do and investigation i mean a family of 3 house blown up and there bodies are nowhere to be found and even if their bodies were there still the muggles should have investagted and what happened to the potters wand u can use the spell that shows the last curse

mevam

June 15th, 2004, 5:10 pm

It's interesting to think about why Harry hasn't asked about where his parents where buried in the last 5 books, or even when he was younger. That, or JKR just didn't include his questions, but I'm thinking that the Dursley's would at least have enough decency to allow Harry to pay his parents some last respects, wicked as they are. Petunia seems as though she would be happy to see their graves from all indications, but I guess they really are as scummy as they're made out to be.

The death scene of Lily and James is very suspicious, and we haven't learn enough to know what exactly happened there, other than that Lily was killed dying to save Harry. JKR had direct input into the flashback scene to the fateful night in PS, and she insisted that James Potter not be shown dying, which is a very strange request to make unless there was something fishy about James' death.

tristessa

June 15th, 2004, 7:46 pm

mevam

do you have a quote about that(not showing james dying) from jk??

because that really interests me

mevam

June 15th, 2004, 10:51 pm

Yes, tristessa, here it is:

According to published reports, Rowling had direct input into the scene in the first film. If so, we can glean the following facts:

Lily and James were living as Muggles in a two story cottage
We never see James in the final confrontation, which adds fire to some of the other speculations about who was actually there.
As Voldemort strides toward the cottage, he appears to be alone

This is from: http://www.hp-lexicon.org/wizworld/places/godrics_hollow.html
which says from published reports, but I trust the site although if I do come across these reports, I'll edit it in here.

Phxtvlr

June 16th, 2004, 3:21 am

Well, its not just the Potter's bodies that I'm curious about; except for the Muggle cemetary at the Riddle house (GoF), we really don't hear of any character in the series going to vist their dead. I wonder if Jo has avoided any mention of this aspect of "life" so that we're not wondering about this very question. :lol: If so, she obviously didn't count on the CoS forums!! :elaugh:

Kimmetje

July 20th, 2004, 10:34 am

I think the bodies of the Potter's were under the house, which was destroyed so their bodies are probably destroyed as well...

rjade829

July 21st, 2004, 4:01 pm

This is a great great thread. I was about to start one on this topic before I did a search and was glad to see that it already exists. =)

OK, here is what I think.

I'm not sure why exactly Harry hasn't asked details about his parents yet. Where they lived, what did they for a living, where they are buried, etc. But I agree with the person who said that he'd been forbidden to speak of his parents for the first 11 years of his life at the Dursley's, and then he got to Hogwarts and everything became so hectic that maybe he just didn't have a chance to really think about it. Although this still seems sort of weird, but hey, it's an explanation.
And even if Harry had asked, I'm not sure Dumbledore or anyone would actually have given him that information yet. But after OOTP, and Dumbledore telling Harry the Prophecy, it seems that now is the time that they are not afraid to start telling Harry the truth. Now I think they feel that he can handle it, and that this is when he starts to need to know the truth.

I think that the whole Lily/James story is IMMENSELY important, and more than anything else, JKR is dragging this out so as not to give away too much early on. Books 6 and 7 will be huge for the Lily/James plot I think.

Here's something very interesting from a CBBC Newsround Interview found here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/tv_film/newsid_3758000/3758101.stm

Alfonso Cuaron: I give you an example: There's a scene where Malfoy wants to see Buckbeak being executed. It's where Hermione punches him. And there's a sundial. We thought we need something there. I said 'Let's put a graveyard there'.

She says: 'No, you can't have a graveyard there'. And I'm like, 'Why?' She says: 'Oh because the graveyard is near this other wing of the castle and it's going to play an important part in number six because such and such and such.'

Lizo: So wow, there's a graveyard at Hogwarts that plays a crucial part in book six!

Alfonso: Six or seven. She said 'later on' - I don't have the specifics.

Ok so there's a graveyard at Hogwarts? Perhaps this is where Lily and James are buried? Right near Harry the whole time and he doesn't even know it...

I think if Harry ever visits his parents' graves, it will be an incredibly sad and touching scene.

Oh yeah--on JKR's site, she has a section where she describes the original versions of the opening chapter of PS/SS. Many of these are scenes where you see Voldemort coming into Godric's Hollow and killing the Potters. Then she has a section about the opening chapter of book 6, and she says that it was one of the original opening chapters for PS/SS. So I think that in the beginning we will learn more about what happened that night. I think there are many Lily/James mysteries to be resolved. Who was there that night, what happened, what they did for a living, the connection between GODRIC Gryffindor and GODRIC's Hollow, where their bodies are now, what happened to their wands...