What Snape knows - Sirius trouble - CinderHermione - Flying - Floo talk

[Amy Z]

No: HPFGUIDX 20605

Marianne wrote:

>I've always thought that Snape knew who MWPP were from his Hogwarts
>days, assuming he probably heard them refer to each other by these
>names.  He obviously didn't know about the Animagi transformation, as
>he is surprised when he sees Sirius transform from his dog state in
>the hospital scene towards the end of GoF.

He does know by that point that Sirius is an Animagus (he overheard 
that much in the Shrieking Shack), but he doesn't know what form he 
takes (Lupin didn't mention it).  His surprise must come from not 
knowing what animal Sirius becomes, therefore having no suspicion 
about the dog, and also from shock that That Man is in the hospital 
wing of all places.

Now I'm getting worried about Sirius again.  Via Wormtail, the DEs 
can easily know by now that he's a big black dog Animagus.  With 
Macnair infiltrating the MOM, this puts Sirius in danger not only from 
Voldemort/the DEs (for whom he's probably pretty low on the priorities 
list--though he might be a good way to get at Harry--hmmm) but from 
the MOM.  Of course, Macnair can't just call up Fudge and say "Peter 
Pettigrew tells me the fugitive you've been looking for for a year can 
become a Newfie."  But the whole thing seems very dangerous.  I think 
Sirius should develop a new form.  I know, I know, it probably can't 
be done.

Pippin wrote:

>He knows Moody's lying about Potter not being there, which he thinks 
>is favoritism on Moody's part, but he
>doesn't want to tangle with ol' Mad-Eye.

I never thought of that.  I thought his "Moody may have joined your 
fan club" just referred to Moody's having given him a hard time about 
suspecting that Harry was there.  I wonder if it's widely known that 
Moody's eye can see through Invisibility Cloaks.

little Alex wrote:

>I mean, we have enough geeky girl Cinderella stories, if you ask me.

I agree.  The Yule Ball was about all I could take of Hermione Goes 
Gorgeous.

Susanna wrote:

>So, I'm of the opinion that Rowling has made one of her very rare 
> errors, in not mentioning flying lessons again

It doesn't have to be an error, just a choice, made for the same 
reason that she never shows us Ron and Hermione's birthdays or 
Astronomy class--there's just only so much she can tell us and keep 
the books under 1000 pages.  Of course, I'd be happier if she would 
make them all =over= 1000 pages.

Susanna also wrote:

>In CF, Sirius black does some kind of Apparition, when his 
> head speaks to Harry from the fireplace. I presume that the 
fireplace 
> has to be connected to the Floo network in order to allow people 
this 
> kind of communication, and I can't imagine that, for mere security 
> reasons, Hogwarts fireplaces are connected- much too easy for 
> intruders.

Good catch!  Here's a try at defending Jo: 

I'm sure you can't take Floo powder into Hogwarts, at least not unless 
you're a professor and have some kind of magical security clearance.

Since whatever you call Making Your Head Show Up in Someone's Fire 
would be a good way to spy, if not actually get into Hogwarts, you 
would think there would be some kind of barrier to strangers, 
fugitives, etc. doing so--again, a kind of security clearance (at a 
lower level than that needed for Floo travel, but still there).  But 
Sirius and Dumbledore have been in contact, so Dumbledore may have 
given Sirius the kind of access he needs.  They may even have spoken 
this way themselves before now.

Amy Z

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 Harry liked this clock.  It was completely
 useless if you wanted to know the time, but
 otherwise very informative.
                  -HP and the Goblet of Fire
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