Uncle Alphard / Aberforth / Apparation / wizarding New World /

[Steve]

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at yahoogroups.com, "Catlady (Rita Prince
Winston)" <catlady at w...> wrote:
> Tory Santillie wrote in
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPFGU-OTChatter/message/23998 :
> 
> << I have a question from Chapter 6 when Sirius and Harry are 
> looking at the Black Family Tree. Sirius is pointing out where his 
> name was blasted out and telling Harry about when he ran away from 
> home. ... 
> 
> Has there been any discussion about Uncle Alfad on the lists? (snip)
> I wonder what Sirius was thinking? >>

> Catlady:
> 
> As per your next post, his name is Alphard, which is the name of a
> star, ... Alpha Hydrae is named "Alphard or Cor Hydrae [meaning]
> "the solitary" or "heart of the hydra"". 
> 
> When I made a Black family tree, Alphard ended up what I think is
> called a second cousin once removed (Sirius's grandfather's sister's
> son) ...edited...
> 

Asian_lovr2:

Just a little side note on this subject. It's one I've made several
times before, but I think it is an important distinction and will come
into the main story when and if Sirius Black's estate is resolved.

Many family estates are encumbered, that is they have restrictions on
how they can be inherited and dispersed. The most common and straight
forward is that the oldest son inherits the bulk of the family estate.
Other siblings generally only get amounts as specifically stated in
the Will.

However, Sirius's money in Vault#711 probably represent his own
personal money and not the family money. The money in that vault is
probably the money the Uncle Alphard left to Sirius and any money
Sirius may have accumulated in his life time. 

Harry has a relatively good chance of inheriting that money since it
is unencumbered by any inheritance tradition. The real struggle will
come over the Black Family Estate. In this case, Draco is the nearest
living relative who is a direct decendant and first born son, so I
think the struggle for the estate will be between Harry and Draco.
Harry won't necessarily want the 'blood' money, but he definitely
won't want Draco to have it. 



> Catlady continues on another subject:
>
> Human Tupperware wrote in
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPFGU-OTChatter/message/24000 :
> 
> << Aberforth is the bartender at the Hog's Head and has
> innappropriate relations with goats... >>
> 

Asian_Lovr2 interjects:

Aberforth was convicted of practicing inappropriate CHARMS on a goat.
True, even I agree there is a certain amount of innuendo in that, but
the book says CHARMS.


> Catlady responds:
>
> Or it might turns out that the dinginess and goat smell are a 
> DISGUISE (and "I'm not sure he can read" was just a JOKE) and 
> Aberforth REALLY is that dignified man. 
> 

Asian_lovr2:

I may be reading more into this statement than was intended, but my
point is still valid in view of many other people's speculation that
Aberforth is the 'lion-man'.

Relative to that one issue, I don't think it's possible for Aberforth
to be the 'lion-man' (re: HBP description from JKR's website) because
we have a description of Aberforth; he looks like Dumbledore, tall,
thin, long grey hair, long grey beard, and that doesn't fit the
'lion-man'.

Sorry if that's not what you were alluding to, but it is a point I've
wanted to make for a while now.


> Julie wrote in
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPFGU-OTChatter/message/24003 :
> 
> << IMO, the distance between Massachusettes and the British Isles is
> not that great in the Wizarding World because of the ability to
> apparate.... \>>
> 
> Steve lots_of_Y!names already pointed out the limits of Apparation.
> I'm here with the supporting quote. It's from QUIDDITCH THROUGH THE
> AGES chapter 9: "[ ...Apparation becomes increasingly unreliable
> over very long distances, and only highly skilled wizards are wise 
> to attempt it across continents)." Across the Atlantic is an
> even longer (and wetter) distance than across North America, ...
> 


Asian_lovr2:

For reference, this is something I have given a lot of thought to. The
route from England to the 'New World' via Apparation with an assumed
300 to 500 mile limit is-

London to Scotland
Scotland to the Fareo Island
Fareo Islands to Iceland
Iceland to Greenland
three hops across the Greenland Ice Sheet
West Greenland to Baffin Islands (Canada)
Baffin Islands to Labrador (Canada)
Labrador to Quebec or New Brunswick (Canada)
New Brunswick/Quebec to the good old USA

Also, not everyone who came to the New World came to escape poverty,
some came to get rich or richer exploiting new materials and resources.

Also, I'm desperately hoping they learn how to Apparate in 6th year,
because I'm keen to learn all the details and limits.


> Catlady continues:
> 
> << which could be one explanation why in the Potterverse we do not
> hear of any wizarding schools in the colonies.... >>
> 
> << I'm not familiar with the Women's Institute. >>
> 
> http://www.womens-institute.co.uk/
> 
> Acccording to my memory, the scene in GoF is several middle-aged
> witches in lawn chairs under a banner reading 'Salem Witches'
> Institute'. If it WERE a school, why no students ...?

Asian_lovr2:

My first reaction was to assume the Salem Witches Institute was a
school, but there is really nothing supporting that. More likely it is
a social/business/fraternal type organization.

As a very side note, it their is only one school of wizardry in the
USA, it is probably in New Orleans. That is one magic city. There are
magic, witchcraft, and Voodoo shops operating there in the plain sight
of Muggles. Who knows how much of a magic world is hidden behind the
scenes. 

Although, it was many posts ago, we once speculated on all the places
where magic schools might exist in the USA. My guesses were New
Orleans, Black Hills of South Dakota (Sioux/Ojibwa), Arizona (Navaho),
San Francisco, and possibly Salem.

Just a few thoughts, for what they're worth.

Steve/asian_lovr2 (but hopes to be bboyminn in a few weeks)