Head Boy/ Girl, Lily Slytherin, and Mrs. Figg

[Steve Bates]

No: HPFGUIDX 1514

On Mrs. Figg: I am really starting to be bothered by not having any 
of the books in front of me, but if I remember correctly, it is 
implied that the "old gang" in which Dumbledore includes both Lupin 
and Arabella Figg is made up of witches and wizards.  And judging 
from Harry's memories of Mrs. Figg, she doesn't seem like much of a 
witch.  So I think it's likely that there are two Figgs that are 
related; Mrs. Figg being a Muggle and Arabella being her witch 
daughter seems likely.
On Lily having Slytherin blood:  When I hear people repeat this 
theory, I know how Hermione feels when people keep talking about 
apparating into Hogwarts.  In CoS Dumbeldore specifically says that 
Tom Riddle was the last heir of Slytherin.  Since he is one of the 
few wizards who knows that the Heir of Slytherin, Tom Riddle, and 
Voldemort are the same person, I would think he's done a lot of 
research into this matter, including Tom Riddle's family tree, so if 
anyone would know this, it would be him.  JKR has thrown more than a 
few curve balls before, but having Harry be descended from Slytherin 
on either side would directly contradict something she already said.  
I think the resemblance between Tom Riddle and Harry and James *is* 
just a red herring, as well as a thematice device (Voldy and Harry 
are two sides of the same coin, or something like that).  Harry's 
Slytherin-like qualities (i.e. Parseltongue and the Hat wanting to 
sort him into Slytherin House) can be explained by Dumbledore's 
theory that Voldy unwittingly transferred some of his power to Harry
On the other hand, I do subscribe to the theory that Harry is the 
heir of Gryffindor (possibly through Lily but almost definitely 
through James) and because of the Slytherin qualities he got from 
Voldy, is a sort of reconciliation of the two, which I think will be 
very important in the end.
On which of Harry's parents was the better wizard: Okay, I give up! 
There isn't enough evidence to say which was the better wizard, 
although I still personally believe that it was James.  But paternal/ 
maternal instincts, and Harry's own recollection of the event 
(i.e. "Lily take the boy and run!" or whatever the exact quote was) 
still strongly support my theory that James tried to hold Voldy off 
while Lily tried to get Harry to safety.