Farmer Hagrid, more pro-Cho, transfiguration musings

[Cindy C.]

No: HPFGUIDX 28591

Tabouli wrote:

> You know, a few months ago I thought the next farm buyer would be 
Lupin, but after everyone howled me down (hee) with JKR's comment 
that he'll be playing a major role in Book 7 (he could still do this 
as a ghost, of course, though this is unlikely - and would his ghost 
still transform every month?), I'm increasingly coming to suspect 
that the next significant death may be Hagrid.  That would "crucify" 
Jo to write, and could easily happen on his mission to the giants or 
with one of his dodgy pets or something.  Plus it would be a true 
sacrifice (horrifying the Trio and many readers alike) but one not 
insurmountable in plot terms.  (buy the farm, kick the bucket... who 
thinks up these metaphors?)
> 
> (found a support group for Hagrid's ongoing good health if you 
dare...)
> 

I have mixed feelings about Hagrid's death.  (I prefer the 
metaphor "cash in his chips.")

On the one hand, it makes sense, as you point out.  But on the other 
hand, I don't want the "major" death in the book to be Hagrid because 
it would be a Big Shrug for me, like Cedric's death. I'm not a big 
Hagrid fan and I lean toward finding him annoying, so if Hagrid met a 
rather ordinary death, I would yawn, have another scoop of ice cream, 
and turn the page, I think.  Sorry, but it's true.  

I want something surprising, shocking, disturbing for Book 5.  This 
will be difficult for JKR to accomplish because I have at various 
times predicted the death of Lupin, Dumbledore, Hagrid and Sirius, 
and there are really no other major deaths that are even 
possibilities.  Except Moody.  And Moody is so tough that I don't 
think he is capable of dying.  

Ginny and Neville would also be Big Shrugs.  Arthur Wealsey might be 
a possibility.  His death would be really tragic and leave seven kids 
fatherless and with no means of support.  McGonagal would also have 
some impact.  Snape is just too important to die.

Tabouli wrote:

> Cho, on the other hand, has shown that she is good at Quidditch, 
kind (she doesn't join in and giggle or wear cruel badges when being 
nasty to Harry becomes the norm), popular (always surrounded by 
friends) and sensitive (she lets Harry down gently and is devastated 
by Cedric's death).  What's not to like?  Why are people demonising 
Cho other than that she wouldn't chuck Cedric for Harry and that they 
resent her good looks, popularity and talent?  I think this is much 
more unfair than disliking Fleur.
> 

I keep shaking my head and blinking my eyes at the Cho criticism.  
Huh?  What's not to like about Cho?  Aside from the things Tabouli 
and others mentioned, Cho is a head shorter than Harry, which I 
understand that adolescent males really appreciate.  :-)  I think we 
ought to be able to agree that Cho is a class act.  Now, if someone 
wants to have a run at Lavender Brown, well, OK, that might be 
justifiable.  But Cho?  Nah.  I see Cho as in the same category as 
Lupin, Dumbledore and Harry:  They either are or should be so 
universally popular and beyond criticism that they do not need a 
support group at all.

Tabouli wrote:> 
> You mean Draco might not have any memory of the ferret episode?  :-
( 
> 
> I wonder what people do retain after transfiguration?  Might Draco 
have a ferret's memory implanted in his (in)human brain now?  
> 

I think Draco remembers the ferret episode.  First, he tells Moody 
right away that he is going to tell his father about it.  Second, 
Hermione calls him a twitchy little ferret, which suggests that she 
thinks he remembers this incident.  As for Krum, he must have some 
memory and consciousness while being half of a shark, or he would 
have eaten Hermione rather than rescue her.

> Tabouli
> 
> (S.C.H.A.B.B. life member, defender of Tom Bombadil and SILVER, 
founder of L.O.L.L.I.P.O.P.S. and C.I.N.E.M.A., abstainer from 
F.L.A.R.E.S., F.L.O.P.S.I.E., C.R.A.B., S.I.N.I.S.T.E.R. and all the 
rest, currently bobbing happily among all the major ships on the 
lifeboat from the Good Ship L.O.L.L.I.P.O.P.S., which is sadly still 
anchored at the dock, flag at half-mast, as its would-be first mate 
died before it ever set sail)
> 
 
Cindy (who might need to talk to Tabouli about an honorary membership 
to S.I.N.I.S.T.E.R, and who wonders what on earth Tom Bombadil, 
Silver, and L.O.L.L.I.P.O.P.S. might be)