Observations and Questions

[caliburncy at yahoo.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 25547

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., cynthiaanncoe at h... wrote:
> It is amusing, though, that Fudge says the worst Black did isn't 
> widely known, yet Rosemerta seems to be the only one in the dark.  
> Even Stan and Ernie on the Knight Bus knew.  

Actually, again (sorry!), I must point out that we don't have proof 
that Stan and Ernie know more than Mme. Rosmerta.

Looking at the scene they seem to know that Sirius (allegedly) killed 
thirteen people (and allegedy laughed about it), but they don't seem 
to know anything about him (allegedly) betraying the Potters, which is 
the thing Mme. Rosmerta is being informed about in this scene.

Stan also seems to think Sirius was up to be V.'s second-in-command, 
but this is of course just a false rumor so whether Rosmerta knew that 
or not would be of no consequence.

> Also, it's hard to believe Hagrid didn't spill the beans to 
> Rosemerta over the years.

You're right about that.  Hagrid is a bit of a water-mouth ("Ah, so 
there's someone named Nicholas Flamel involved, is there?"--or 
whatever the exact quote is).

> It also struck me as odd that the Minister of Magic 
> chooses to reveal something that isn't widely known in a crowded bar 
> for the sole purpose of enlightening a barkeep.  But then again, I 
> couldn't think of anyone else JKR could have used instead of 
> Rosemerta for this purpose, so I guess that's the best one can do 
> with it.  

You're right about this too, but I think it could be explained.  Fudge 
is a classic "everyman's" politician in that he's very social and 
down-to-earth so that people like him.  He acts like he's your best 
friend and part of this is undoubtedly making you feel like he trusts 
you with priveliged information--when, in fact, what really IS the 
harm if Mme. Rosmerta finds out that Black (alledgedly) betrayed the 
Potters?  More hatred for Black, more sympathy for Harry?  What's that 
to Fudge?

I should add however, that it's not ALL an act and I think Fudge 
generally believes himself to be a very gregarious fellow.  Too a 
certain extent he is just chatting and not being particularly 
prudent.  I am basing this partly on someone I knew (more acquantaince 
than friend) who was exactly the same way.  He was extremely 
superficial in his friendliness, but not because he was trying to act, 
he just had no clear sense of self in order to be more genuine.  He 
will one day be a masterful politician, I have no doubt.  But he'll 
never have any really strong, true relationships unless something 
about him changes--and that's very sad.

-Luke