Theorists, Riddles and Sidekicks (see also Hagrid's Image Problem)

[Tabouli]

No: HPFGUIDX 26386

Rita:
> It is my theory that Godric Gryffindor was really a Welshman named 
Gryffydd Glyndwr, who went off to seek adventure, first becoming a 
mercenary with Saxon colleagues who couldn't pronounce his name, so 
they called him Godric Gryphon d'Or (golden griffin)<

As an obsessive theorist myself (L.O.O.T.?), I have to express my admiration for Rita's efforts here, historically and geographically plausible or no.  Magnificent stuff.  I'm also impressed by Martin's musings on the possibilities of Priori Incantem.  Hey, if I were Fudge, that spiel would put Martin in contention for the graduate positions in the Department of Aurors and Sundry Fighters of Evil (or whatever it's called)...

More Rita;
> Tom Riddle is more human than Lord Voldemort - V has succeeded
in making himself into a monster, no longer human - but Tom is just
as evil as V<

jenny from ravenclaw:
> Tom Riddle is very interesting to me and is not as one-dimensional as Voldemort is, if that makes any sense.<

Hear hear.  Tom Riddle is a much more convincing villain than V for this reason.  Crimes committed with premeditated calm and logic and dismissiveness are much more chilling than the rantings of a stereotypic evil overlord, who is just evil as a matter of policy.

Deeblite:
> > We have Tom, we have Harry, who is Dick?
>
> The Basilisk

The one eyed chamber snake, eh?  I can feel some very bawdy jokes coming on here, so perhaps I should hasten gracefully on to the next topic...

Mindy:
> In POA Chapter 7 (The Boggart in the Wardrobe) is the first time that it
slips that there may be a time turner:

I always thought that the fact that Hermione was time-travelling was trumpeted so loudly in the narrative voice (if that's what it's called: Luke?) that JKR intended her readers, if not her characters, to know this right from the start.  I mean, if her timetable at the start of term obviously has overlapping classes, and she had to "fix something with Professor McGonagall" to do so many subjects, how else could she be doing them?  I was taken in by most of the other plot twists, but I didn't even count this as a twist.  I was just curious to see how it was done, not what was being done.

Saitainia:
> Small note on Pettigrew as I seem to be one of his resident defenders (is there actually anyone but me?)

As I've mentioned before, I can appreciate a fictional character independently of whether I would like him or her as a real person.  Take Rita Skeeter for example: horrible woman, wonderful character.  Same with Lockhart.  Alas, the wormtailed one does little for me in either department.  Despite some impressive villainy (the Sirius scenario was a masterstroke), he fits a bit too well into the "Evil Overlord's Snivelling Sidekick" box for me to like him as a character.  I do agree with Saitainia that he displays a certain cowardly courage, and has the potential to develop another dimension or two.  Perhaps in Book 7 when Harry is in V's clutches and all seems lost, he will be mysteriously rescued by a hero whose identity remains obscure until Harry sees a dim silver glow emanating from his savior's departing hand... (a la El-ahrairah's ears?)

> Does anyone have any speculations about what secrets Hagrid may 
> harbor?  We've discussed Snape's past a gazillion times (but I like 
> it, Amanda!).  What about Hagrid?  I have no idea.
> 
> --jenny from ravenclaw 

I know this is from a few days ago now, but yes, good point.  Hagrid indeed has an interesting past, he has taken a crucial role in the action in every book so far, and there are hints that he knows a lot of intriguing details about the Potters and Snape that he hasn't let on.  I think the reason why we've dedicated roughly 1000 times more time to Snape's past than Hagrid is a matter of image.  Snape has mystique.  He's brooding, he's bitter, he's tortured, he's greasy-haired, he hunches behind a wreathing mass of potions exuding oily remarks and snide put-downs, harbouring a deep and infathomable grudge.

Hagrid, on the other hand is (and I've picked up my tomato shield here) almost Dumbledore's Wormtail equivalent.  He's the Wise White-Bearded Old Sage's Loyal But Oafish Sidekick, with the accompanying well-meaning bumbling, lovable clumsiness and respect and devotion for the WWBOS and his apprentice (Harry).  All very endearing, but sadly lacking in enigmatic aura (and, so it seems, sex appeal: I haven't heard of any swooning listmembers licking whipped cream from their Hagrid poster...).  Perhaps JKR is being terribly crafty here: just as Snape's flashy sneering and swooping about like a bat was a smokescreen for Quirrell, his tortured mystique may be distracting us from the significance of Hagrid's past and knowledge...

Tabouli.


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