[HPforGrownups] Lily *Did* Scream and Happy Thoughts Conjure a Patronus

[Richelle Votaw]

No: HPFGUIDX 42843

Phyllis writes:

> A couple of weeks ago, Richelle questioned the accuracy of the scene
> in the movie that JKR personally added which shows Lily screaming
> when Voldemort hits her with the AK.  In flipping through PoA last
> night, I actually found a straightforward answer to this question!
> In Chapter 9, during the Quidditch match against Hufflepuff, when the
> Dementors show up and Harry starts re-living his parents' final
> moments, it reads "A shrill voice was laughing, the woman was
> *screaming*, and Harry knew no more" (p. 179).

Mmm, yes, I noticed that upon rereading.  I have three solutions.  The first
is more logical.  Harry is at this point about to pass out, so he's probably
fading.  He *could* be hearing her continue to scream pleas as Voldemort
laughs, but due to the fact that he *is* about to pass out, can't make out
the words anymore.

The second solution is also logical, but don't really like it anyhow.  After
Harry no longer hears the pleas from Lily "Not Harry, not Harry, please. .
." and so on, and the "Stand asides" are over from Voldemort, he laughs and
raises his wand to cast the AK.  Lily screams as he starts to raise his
wand, but as soon as it hits her she's dead.

The third solution isn't as logical, but I like it best anyway. :)  Harry
hears the voices, hears Voldemort laugh, and then Lily screams as she is
being hit with the AK.  The reason she has time to scream is that she is
somehow, some way, resisting the AK.  Only for a few seconds, but she is
resisting.  Perhaps this resistance adds to the protection left on Harry and
builds his resistance to the unforgivables (i.e. Imperious, which he
instinctively resists, though only partially successful on the first
attempt).

Also, whether the scene in the film is or isn't approved by JKR, if you
watch it at half speed there are four distinct flashes from Voldemort's wand
to Lily.  Whatever that may or may not mean.  And no, I haven't watched the
entire movie at half speed, just that scene. :)

Richelle