Politics & parenting, Mrs Figg&Weasley

[Tabouli]

No: HPFGUIDX 24418

Prefect Marcus:
> We have met the parents of several Hogwarts students, but we are 
unaware of the parental or marriage status of any of the Hogwarts 
staff or the Minister of Magic. 

Oooo yes we have!  Wasn't there a prominent MoM minister with a wife and son called Barty Crouch who was tipped to be the next Minister for Magic?  Though what happened there suggests that it might be a good idea not to mix parenting and politics...

magpie1112:
> > rumor has it that there will 
> >be a female DADA teacher in book 5.  How about Arabella Figg? > Bente
>
> Ooh - now THAT's an interesting idea - I too would like to see Harry 
> look at Mrs. Figg with new eyes.  

Whenever I read about the ol'  "Mrs Figg: Potential DADA teacher!"  "Mrs Figg: Undisclosed Witch!" etc. stories, I can't help remembering that in the *only* online chat I ever read which mentioned Mrs Figg JKR clearly stated that Mrs Figg is a ***SQUIB***.  Hence technically a witch, but probably *not* one likely to become a DADA teacher (unless she's found ways around needing to use magic in her classes), or have powerful magic to protect Harry, etc.etc..  Assuming that she's a Squib, I'd vote that she's one who's given up on trying to function in the sneering wizarding world and has become Muggle-Wizard liaison officer or some such, who keeps an eye on the Muggles and Harry in particular.  Hence the wizards at the World Cup copied her house for their tents... she's their source of Muggle lore.

Of course, I could be wrong about this, there could have been another chat where JKR said she's a witch, or there could be another Figg (daughter?).  Any tips from the well-read?

Bente:
> I prefer to think that Molly Weasley cares for Harry because she 
likes kids; that's why she has seven of her own. 

Wonder if the Weasley's huge family ending at Ginny was partly due to them keeping on going 'til they had a girl?  Maybe that's partly why Ron has such a complex (he was "*another* boy, dammit!  Let's have one last try!").

Tabouli.


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