Arithmancy/OotP/Evil Draco

[blpurdom at yahoo.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 25213

There are about five topics I'm addressing total at this time 
(unusual for me) so I'm randomly putting three in this post and two 
in the next one.

1. Arithmancy

I read the earlier post cited in another mail.  Theories people may 
have about what this is aside, a definition for this DOES exist.  I 
stand by my opinion that JKR didn't know what it was, thought it 
sounded like Wizard Mathematics and didn't do a whole lot of research 
on it. Call it a Flint, if you like, that she has Hermione being so 
crazy about a form of Divination.  Or else we need a word other than 
Flint for a mere oversight, rather than an actual error (like the 
wand-order thing).

2. Timing for OotP

I'm not at all surprised it's taking a while.  (July 2002) She's 
famous now, she wrote two Comic Relief books, the touring for GoF 
alone must have taken her ages, and she's been keeping an eye on the 
movie production.  Plus, casting for CoS is taking place now and soon 
she'll be on chat shows around the world in connection with the PS/SS 
movie release.  Considering that she used to write in a cafe which 
she probably can't get near anymore without being recognized, I'm 
amazed that we recently received word that the manuscript is at the 
publisher's.

3. Evil Draco

I think there is a definite purpose to similarities being drawn 
between the James/Snape relationship and the Harry/Malfoy 
relationship.  Snape is admittedly brave now, as an adult, and 
willing to do some dangerous work as a spy.  We don't have much 
evidence of his being brave as a student, however, and he's lucky 
that James was around to save him when Sirius' prank threatened to 
end on a very unfunny note.

So far, Draco Malfoy has only shown signs of being incredibly 
arrogant and cowardly.  He has also been attacked by an animal which 
was friendly to Harry (Buckbeak).  Perhaps a parallel life-saving is 
imminent?  If there's one thing for which Malfoy could never forgive 
Harry, it would be saving his life, just like James and Snape.  And 
the way Malfoy acts, he'll probably NEED some saving once the 
proverbial dung starts to hit the fan... 

Whether Draco will eventually be rehabilitated as Snape has been 
remains to be seen.  And look at Snape; for someone on the "good" 
side, he can be VERY nasty to the son of the man who saved his life.  
In other words, even if he becomes a great deal like Snape, he won't 
be much more congenial than he is now. :)

--Barb

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