Various bits and pieces

[Amy Z]

No: HPFGUIDX 14562

Sorry, FAQ compilers, but I'm doing such a good job consolidating that 
there are too many subjects to list <g>.

I wrote:
>Sinistra fans, your day will come!

Dave wrote:
>And once and for all, we'll know what his/her gender really is!

When I read this, it came back to me that I had a dream in which I saw 
Sinistra's first name written down, and it was completely unrevealing. 
 Too funny!

Doreen wrote:
>I was rather disappointed to find out that ships had to be about 
living persons.

Not at all.  Look at all the Snape/Lily shippers.  There is also a 
lively shipping trade in nonhumans, e.g. a certain pairing of A Boy 
and His Owl.  We HPforGU listies don't discriminate on the basis of 
biology or biological status.  Let your imagination wander where it 
will!

I think Peeves and Sir Cadogan are better suited--both insane, short, 
and annoying to students.  The Fat Lady has a crush on a rather stuffy 
baron on the 4th floor, but hasn't yet worked up the nerve to go 
visit, even though it's been 125 years now.  

Ender wrote:
> Harry's ability to fight the imperio curse would have been
> valuable information for Voldemort and his peeps.

Catlady wrote:
>Except that apparently Crouch didn't pass that info to Voldemort 
before
>V attacked Harry, or else V didn't realise that the info was 
valuable.

I wonder if this is another example of Voldemort's arrogance.  Perhaps 
Crouch did tell him, but Voldemort thought, "He might be able to 
resist Crouch's Imperius, but just let him try to resist mine!"  

Catlady wrote:
>It is good to know Ron's birthday, but Ron really seem like a Pisces 
to
>the rest of you?

I think it's safe to say that Jo pays no attention whatsoever to 
astrology in choosing her characters' birthdays.  Harry, as we know, 
should have been born in midwinter, because Leos are never short, nor 
do they lose their parents at an early age.  

Sorry, I enjoy the astrological posts 'cause they're fun and 
interesting, but I can't take the idea seriously that everyone born in 
a particular month shares a personality.

Catlady:
> I'm not at all sure that a girl of 20 is mature enough to make
>life-long decisions that she won't regret later.

Like marrying James Potter and having a baby?  <g>  Thank heaven for 
immature decisions.

Catlady:
>However, I CANNOT believe in a $7.35 Galleon ($51 wand), just as some
>people CANNOT believe in a 1000-student Hogwarts. I continue to 
believe
>in a $25-$40 Galleon.

Yeah, the wand prices seem low to me.  Maybe Ollivander usually 
charges over 20G for a wand, but gave Harry a substantial 
discount--out of sympathy?  reverence?  guilt about Voldemort's wand? 
 On the other hand, he probably knows money is not a problem for 
Harry.  He seems to know a lot of things.

Scott:
>Even though us Muggles can't get to Diagon alley, or see it. 

*We* might not be able to, but the Grangers did (they changed money at 
Gringott's).  Special dispensation?

Anne wrote:
>Voldemort can mean either "flight of death" or "robbery of death"

Both connote a disdain for mortality.  TR chose his new name well.

Christian alerted us to this quote from the newspaper VG:
> Stouffer's book was a big success in USA when it was published

Geez...I must've missed that publishing phenomenon entirely.  I feel 
so out of the loop.

Reporters who just reprint people's press releases uncritically really 
give their honorable profession a bad name.

I hope Ms. Stouffer's lawyers are working on contingency (is that the 
right term?  i.e. they get paid only if she wins?).  Otherwise, they 
are exploiting her horribly.  She seems to have an ego that is quite 
out of proportion to her ability, and someone unscrupulous has 
encouraged her to think she actually has a case.  

Amy Z

------------------------------------------------
 "I've told you before, Ron, keep your nose out 
 if you like it the shape it is.  Can't see why
 you would, but--"
                 -HP and the Goblet of Fire 
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