Dementors -- talking?

[bookraptor11 at yahoo.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 28901

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "Megan" <virtualworldofhp at y...> wrote:

>  One has to question the wisdom of having dementors in Azkaban in
> first place.  They don't seem to talk, communicate, or ever really
> think.  What kind of creatures are these?  Are they really alive 
(like
> viruses :-D)?  They also don't seem to follow orders very well.  
They
> swarmed on Harry for no reason, disobeyed Fudge (and Dumbledore).  
Why
> do they even stick around Azkaban?  It's not like they get paid and
> take it home to their little Dementor kidlets <bg>.  ANOTHER thing
> (boy, I'm just full of questions tonight) do dementors die?  How 
does
> one create a new dementor?

To me, they are these formless,
> mindless creatures who simply glide along doing their lovely 
evilness.
> 
> -Megan (who wishes we could just have all the answers)

They're not really loyal to anyone, even Voldemort.  I think they 
agreed to guard Azkaban because it's a way they can feed without 
being killed or persecuted. They're more on Voldemort's side, not 
because of what he stands for (evil), but because if he comes into 
power they will be able to feast, instead of sticking to the strict 
diet the MOM has them on.

I can't make up my mind on where they fit. Are they more like 
animals operating on instinct, or are they closer 
to humans, with self awareness and free will? Their behavior at the 
quidditch match where they invaded 
the stadium (POA ch.9) reminded me of sharks, "smelling" emotion not 
blood, too hungry to control themselves.

In the lexicon it mentions that when they suck out someone's soul, it 
turns him into something resembling the dementors.  Maybe that's 
where new dementors come from?  I can't picture them breeding, I'd 
rather avoid picturing that!

Donna