[HPforGrownups] Re: The "Missing 24-hours" - another theory

[Richelle Votaw]

No: HPFGUIDX 42485




>> Richelle wrote:
>>
> > How does she know that Harry Potter would've been alone?  Is it
>> common knowledge that Harry was living with his muggle aunt and uncle who
>> would have no interest in bringing him to the platform?

Rosie writes:

> Apart from the fact that he has no parents, on page 75 (UK), Ron says
> to Harry: "I Heard you went to live with muggles. What are they like?"
>
> So either everyone in the WW knows about it, or Molly probably
> already knew and told her kids.

I assume that it's common knowledge that Harry went to live with muggles.
But the particular type of muggles is what I'm refering to.  I know I would
never drop off an 11 year old child at a train station without seeing him
safely aboard.  Even if Muggles can't get through the barrier, they could at
least see him through.  I mean plenty of wizards and witches live with
muggles.  Dean was raised in an orphanage, Hermione's parents are muggles.
Does that mean they just drop them off at the train station without even
walking them to the gate?  Or at least to the barrier?

Eloise writes:

> In addition, the 15 month old is going to be much more distressed by the
> situation. A small baby will accept care from anyone. By 15 months, he's
> going to want his mum.
> The thought of taking a 15 month old child on a flying motorbike is
> distinctly frightening.

I agree.  I've kept lots of babies, and I'd much rather keep a small infant
that didn't know me than a 15 month old who didn't know me.  A 15 month old
(particularly a distressed 15 month old) is not easily comforted.  I would
think that in Harry's situation (parents dead, mum murdered in front of him,
big bad guy in robe pointing wand at him, bright light, house falling down,
all in a matter of minutes) it would take an experienced caregiver to calm
him.  With a 15 month old it's not simply a matter of crying himself to
sleep.  A traumatized 15 month old could easily make himself physically ill
in such a situation (and in situations far less traumatic for that matter).
Someone with ample experience in caring for babies would be able to calm him
much better than, say, a half-giant.  Also, come to think of it, Mrs.
Weasley did have several small children at home.  Baby Ginny, Ron, who
must've been about 19 months, a couple of 3 year olds and so on.  There
would definitely have been someone to get Harry's mind off his problems
there.  However, would the other kids remember him?  Simple memory charm
would work, I guess, but still, let me see.  The twins probably not at 3
they're a bit too young.  Percy would've been 5, so it's possible.  But he
doesn't spend a lot of time with our Harry anyway to tell him about it.  He
hasn't been around Bill and Charlie much either.  Well, now I'm rambling, so
I'll shut up.

Richelle