How Boggarts work (was Why is Lupin afraid of the floating silver orb?)

[Amy Z]

No: HPFGUIDX 26895

Cindy wrote:

> Hmmm.  I never considered why Lupin doesn't transform when the 
> boggart moon appears.  Maybe Lupin is able to resist because the 
> Boggart moon is so small -- the size of a crystal ball, apparently. 
 
> Had the Boggart transformed into a huge moon, perhaps Lupin would 
> have transformed.  After all, I assume if the Boggart changed into a 
> mini-Dementor, Harry wouldn't have been overcome.
> 
> It's weak, but it is the best I can do.

Not at all--I think it makes a lot of sense.  And the fact that the 
Boggart *doesn't* turn into a full-size moon might indicate that 
the Boggart isn't strong enough to pull off that impressive a 
transformation, and therefore may lack the power of the moon.  (Also 
that materializing an 2000-mile-diameter satellite within the castle 
might pose some problems <g>.)

This reminds me I meant to respond to Heidi's thought about the 
Boggart turning into something metaphorical.  I think of the Mirror of 
Erised this way, so the idea appeals.  (E.g. I don't think the deepest 
desire of Ron's heart is to be Head Boy and cupwinning Quidditch 
captain--it is for recognition and perhaps glory, which these things 
symbolize.)  Boggarts might be limited by the concreteness of them.  
For example, to take Ron again, I bet there are things he fears worse 
than giant spiders--how about watching his entire family get shredded 
by said spiders, say?  But Boggarts don't present a whole scenario; 
they turn into something concrete and scary.  Lupin thinks Harry's is 
symbolic, in a way:  that he is afraid of fear itself, and therefore a 
Boggart that faces him turns into a phantasm that can't really harm 
him (Harry doesn't know about the Kiss yet) but that makes him feel 
terror.
 
> Cindy (who thinks a mini-Dementor might make a nice pet, or a handy 
> portable air conditioner)

ROTFL!

Amy Z

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 . . . summoning the memory of the day I had 
 been voted President of the local Gobstones 
 Club, I performed the Patronus Charm.  
     -Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
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