Zacharias Smith (Not Your Usual Hufflepuff)

[eejun]

Discussion for Zacharias Smith (Not Your Usual Hufflepuff) by Madam Pintsize

[AWesoME]

Yes, I've had that theory for a while; I think it's very plausible.

[kaecera]

I can't believe i didnt notice the surnames! Thats a really good observation!

[lupinhehehe]

Yeah, I've never saw him as a Hufflepuff either..... good theory!

[heart_kmae]

wow..! its possible though..

[hermy88]

I never really saw Zacharias as a Hufflepuff, either. I always thought of him as a Slytherin judging by the way he treated the other members of the DA, especially Harry. But the Hepzibah Smith connection does seem like it could work. Way to go for spotting it!!

[Daydreams]

I thought of this when I first read the book...but of course, after the Mark Evans fiasco, I tried not to think too much about it, just in case. (Though I never make the Mark Evans connection with Lily's maiden name...strange.) Even so, good theory, I like how the author went a bit more deep into than I would have thought about doing.

[WhyBeNormal]

I don't really believe this theory, but it is interesting that "Zacharias" and "Hepzibah" are both Hebrew names.

[GinnysHex]

I think that it is a possiblity but at the same time I think that there is a touch of the Mark Evans to it.

[Ben24]

Well, what is your canon? None, of course. I`m afraid I don`t believe you. Plus, at the moment anyway, that wouldn`t be very important to the story, is it?

[Rictu_Sempra]

While I am considering Mark Evans...this is HUGE. I think this is incredibly plausible as well as providing great plot points. In order for Harry to get to a Horcruxe, he would need to do something along the lines of being able to stand Zacharias.

Riccy

[Emmasj]

Whoo! Oh gosh, that's really good -- it all fits. He always seemed rather untrustworthy/skeptical to be a Hufflepuff (compared to our other friends), and I just figured he'd play a good sized role in HP7 and turn out loyal -- but I like your theory more. ^^

Originally Posted by Ben24

Well, what is your canon? None, of course. I`m afraid I don`t believe you. Plus, at the moment anyway, that wouldn`t be very important to the story, is it?

She said it was just an idea.

[jthhere]

I would not rule out JK Rowling coming out and announcing on her site (as she did with Mark Evans) that the name was just a coincidence. Of course while Smith is a common name, and an explanation of that sort would likely be accepted by most readers, it's rather unfortunate that Ms. Rowling won't allow us to see more ancestors or relatives of current students. The Weasley and Malfoy families are supposedly old wizarding families, yet we don't see too many Weasley cousins in school or run across Malfoys in the ministry when Voldemort was school age. This is particularly true of the Weasleys; the back story has many generations of Weasley males being born, yet who else besides Ron's immediate family have shown up at Hogwarts? Perhaps that might complicate the story-telling a bit, but it would be closer to reality to see that there are more families with cousins than the extended Black family.

[Jenifer]

I think it's plausible. You're right, Zacharias Smith does not seem at all like a Hufflepuff, but maybe he doens't fit the mold of the other three houses either. The sorting hat also said that Hufflepuff would teach anyone, as long as they wanted to be taught, if i remember correctly.

As for the two Smith's being related, I'm just not sure. It seems like Jo, with her obsession with names, would have given them a slightly more unique name, rather than Smith, if she thought them being related was important. But I don't reallyl know.

Very good editorial. Good job connecting the names.

[crevecoeur]

I agree. It struck me as well during my reading of HBP. I don't think this is another "Mark Evans" slip-up. As JK has noted, the wizards in fact make up a miniscule percentage of the British population; therefore, a last name shared by two characters is more significant than it would be in the wider Muggle world. While I would say that Hepzibah and Zacharias are probably related, I don't know that this has any special meaning for the series. A true coincidence, but not an important one.

[katzrkrazy44]

quite good quite good...

[SecretKeeper7]

Madam, that was an outstanding catch. Good Editorial!

[Jenifer]

Originally Posted by Rictu_Sempra

While I am considering Mark Evans...this is HUGE. I think this is incredibly plausible as well as providing great plot points. In order for Harry to get to a Horcruxe, he would need to do something along the lines of being able to stand Zacharias.

I was thinking that it wouldn't be very important to the plot if they were related, why would it matter? But then i read this and I think Riccy is right! Maybe in a way Zacharias could lead Harry to the horcrux, if he was in fact related to Hepiziah. Kudos.

[hermiowninny]

I think the bigger clue is not the last names, but the first names, as pointed out in a previous post. They are both Hebrew names. Additionally, it appears that Hepzibah and Zacharias were both rather arrogant, which is not a personality trait commonly found in Hufflepuffs, but it is one found in descendents of the founders (the Gaunts, Tom Riddle, and probably James Potter).

So where did LV hide the cup??? And will Zacharias play a role in this? I really doubt it.

[Coki]

I thought that the first time I read HBP and I do think they're related; Jo said she kind of screwed it with the MArk Evans thing, so I think she'd been more careful this time. Besides, who says every Hufflepuuf must be humble and almost dry? the fact Zacharias is arrogant doesn't mean he can't be loyal to his friends (if he's got one lol) and hard-working. We've seen so littl of him though, but I think he's related to Mrs. Smith. Remember the description of his father? He seemed a very wealthy man, and if he's a descendent of one of the founders, it gives his name some importance, right?