Various, inc. other uses for the Sorting Hat

[lamppost42 at hotmail.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 24329

Tabouli wrote:

> And don't most snakes hibernate in winter?  Surely around 
>Christmastime in Scotland any self-respecting snake would be curled up >by the hearth in the Chamber of Secrets...

Most do, yes, but a cave wouldn't be such a horrible place to spend the 
winter. Caves keep a fairly consistent temperature year-round, usually 
around 54 degrees Farenheit (12 degrees C). Many cold-blooded animals  
live in caves for generations with no problems (unless you cosider 
losing ones pigmentation and eyes a problem.. the cave critters 
certainly don't!). Additionally, a basilisk is a very powerful magical 
creature, and perhaps its lesser known powers include the ability to be 
warm at all times. We know that one of its abilities must be going 
hundreds of years without ample food... (the thing is HUGE!)


> What a creepy place that would be: all those people who lost their 
>minds through the Cruciatus curse. 

I imagine there are other less-horrible things to see, though it IS a 
hospital, mind you... people being cured of curses, hexes and jinxes, 
exposure to nasty potions/substances, magical animal attacks, botched 
transfigurations, that kind of thing. There are probably plenty of 
broken bones, broomstick accidents, and other things that can be more 
effectively healed with magic. I think the St. Mungo's visit is kind of 
like the "BLOOD ON THE HIGHWAY" film they show to drivers' ed. 
students. It encourages students about to go out into the world not to 
be reckless with magic.
 

>  OTOH, the Malfoys, through scrupulous years of one child families, 
>still have a sweeping family estate and fortune.

Three words: Ill. Gotten. Gains. :D

Thought-provoking questions/statements! More nonsense from me 
forthcoming...

Converting all my sounds of woe to "hey nonny nonny,"

Mundungus42