Harry- the girl & Riddle's diary

[aprilgc at ivillage.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 15140

 AprilGC asked:
> If Harry were a girl, would Ginny have gotten much story space at all?
> In PS/SS, we first learn that Ginny is a "fan" of Harry.  Preceding that line of thought...
> 
> What do you think would have been the story line/outcome of CoS had
> Harry been female?  I mean, what major points do you see remaining the
> same, and what do you think would change?
> 
> *  *  *  *  *   *  *  *
> > Doreen wrote:
I think that someone like Neville or Colin Creevy would have fit into
> "Ginny's role" just as easily if Harry were a girl.
> 
> Therefore, no major points would have been changed.
> 

The situation, though, took a lot of planning on Lucius Malfoy's part.  
He didn't just pick Ginny Weasely randomly.  He chose her because her 
disgrace could have the most devastating effect.
The Weasely's are old/respected wizard family.
Arthur "likes" Muggles.
Arthur has a "Muggle Protection Act" pending.
Making a Weasely the "Heir of Slytherin" casts a shadow over the whole 
Weasely heritage - as well as discrediting Arthur and squashing his 
MPA.
LM could get rid of/discredit Dumbledore.

Neville as the "Heir" does not create as much havoc.  He doesn't have 
parents to discredit (that we know of at this point, CoS).  Of course, 
it might embarass his grandmother - but (I do like Neville <g>) I don't 
think he needs Lucius Malfoy's "help" to do that.

I don't think it would be a first year student - other than one LM's 
certain of.  He wouldn't want to have a Slytherin student implicated, 
so it would have to be someone who's already been sorted just to make 
certain.  Ginny was easy because of her family background - LM could be 
close to absolutely certain that she wasn't going to be in Slytherin.

About Colin Creevy, though...let's assume that LM knows that CC's 
Muggle-born and therefore not likely to get into Slytherin.  Slips him 
the diary and wait to see what happens.
My first thought is that LM didn't give the diary to Ron/Harry because 
an 11/12 year old boy is less likely (generally speaking) to keep a 
diary than is a girl the same age.  So in my theory (on this train), LM 
would choose a Muggle-born girl instead of Colin to ensure the diary 
got used.
If, though, Colin (or some other Muggle-born) were chosen ... well, 
that would tend to squash the MPA -- why should we protect them if they 
are willing to kill each other?  But then it would create a problem -- 
the Heir of Slytherin is a Mudblood?! ::gasp::  That might make things 
worse for LM and crew instead of better - destroying the good Pureblood 
name and all.

If Harry were a 12yo girl, however, it might be safe enough to assume 
that she'd write in a diary (as LM assumed with GW, no gender bias 
intended).  Her mother Muggle-born, and she kills Muggles - just as V./
Riddle did would work for LM's plans.  Also, if S/Harry Potter was the 
heir, it would destroy the "child who lived" legend, cast her as a dark 
witch and give V./Riddle the opportunity to destroy his greatest enemy 
... making the way for his return?
a.