Mrs. Figg, Crookshanks, Ashwinders

[Kelley]

No: HPFGUIDX 15546

> --- In HPforGrownups at y..., tobeybickle at a... wrote:
> > Part Kneazle.. I think that's brilliant. The other thing I 
noticed in the book was that there were a half dozen types of snakes, 
and they all have interesting abilities.. I don't know why, but I 
think we're going to see an Ashwinder in the next book. It just 
seemes like JKR had it's story planned out in a bit too much detail, 
and it's power for making love potions is just too interesting. 
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Ashwinders:  Argh!  Don't have my FB with me to refer to the 
description.  The 'love potion' bit ~is~ a terrific detail; I'd love 
to see this brought into the story.  Your comment about the many 
varieties of snakes is interesting, and has got me thinking.  I know 
we've discussed various thoughts on snakes within the storyline; can 
anyone give me a quick answer:  is the Slytherin mascot specifically 
a basilisk, or just a snake in general?  What I'm remembering is that 
the when snakes are mentioned in the books, they're referred to as a 
snake in the general sense, and the only times specific types are 
mentioned are the boa constrictor at the zoo, and the basilisk in the 
Chamber.  Thinking ahead to the coming VWII, we'll probably see Vold 
using snakes against good guys, and I believe someone proposed that 
maybe the boa constrictor will resurface.  This will seem to be 
revisited as Vold will try to set that particular snake on Harry, but 
the snake will remember Harry gave him his freedom (or something like 
that)....  Hmm.    

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., meckelburg at f... wrote:
> I just looked into FB and compared it with the description of 
> Crookshanks in PoA. His fur is not fleck , spotted etc. and he 
doesn't have anlion-like tail either, so it will never be a pure 
Kneazle. I'm wondering which magical powers are lefter when Kneazles 
are interbred with cats? Crookshanks flat face doesn't fit into the 
description either !
> ( I don't have an english PoA -version, so please correct me if the 
> german publishers goofed again. I'll positivly kill them this 
time!;)
> 
> Mecki 

Right, seems to be a given that Crookshanks doesn't have the 
appearance of a Kneazle.  Seems a rather pointed clue from JKR, 
however, that they can inter-breed with regular cats, though.  I'm 
confusing info JKR has given in chats and so forth, with the group's 
thoughts and theories--did JKR confirm that there was more to 
Crookshanks than meets the eye, or did we just figure that?  The 
closest I've found (in my notes from the October online chats) is 
that she stated that cats will 'be important' or 'figure prominently' 
in the future.  (Don't have her response down verbatim.)  I may just 
be recalling the "Is Crookshanks an animagi?" debate from some months 
back.  Sorry for wandering so far from your post, there, Mecki.  I'd 
guess that Crookshanks looking like a regular, albeit strange, cat is 
intentional, and when it's revealed that he is part Kneazle, that it 
will be a revelation to the trio.  I would also guess that he will 
have all the abilities that pure Kneazles have, mainly because I 
think this is JKR sowing seeds now that will be reaped later.  Did 
that make sense? ;)

Kelley