[HPforGrownups] Blank pages in history/ Maurauder's Map/ Death Eater's children/ Fighting unforgivables

[Richelle Votaw]

No: HPFGUIDX 43343

Melody writes:

> Given the high profile of the Potter's death and thus Voldemort's
> disembodiment, wouldn't it seem highly probable that most of the
> wizard community knows why Voldemort went after the Potters in the
> first place?  Yet, know one in school talks about it, though it is not
> a normal topic for dinner conversation really.  Is it a secret in the
> wizard world?  James seems to be from an ancient wizard family (given
> the invisibility cloak and money, I believe), so the WW knows thier
> history.

I think it's safe to say that the vast majority of the WW does *not* know
why Voldemort was after the Potters.  I'd say they assume they were aurors
or otherwise fighting against Voldemort.  I believe their death was only
high profile because the temporary defeat of Voldemort happened at the same
time, bringing about "the boy who lived."

My main canon being that the very first question Harry asked Dumbledore in
the hospital in SS/PS was "Why would Voldemort want to kill me in the first
place?" to which Dumbledore replies "Alas, the first thing you ask me, I
cannot tell you.  Not today.  Not now.  You will know, one day . . .put it
from your mind for now, Harry.  When you are older . . . I know you hate to
hear this . . . when you are ready, you will know."

This tells me that if Dumbledore had thought Harry could find out in a book
someplace, he'd have told him personally.  But he can't, so he didn't.  And,
naturally, whatever reason Voldemort had for killing Harry is directly
related to Harry's parents.  Seeing as Voldemort killed at least one of
Harry's parents only to get to Harry.

Elkins writes:

> So the implication to my mind is that insulting Snape *is* in some
> sense a part of the Map's function.

Which is highly likely, as I'm sure it was rigged in case Snape ever found
it in his snoopings.

Richelle wrote:

>>> Student Nott could be not a son/daughter of the DE Nott, though
>>>the name cropping up in both places sounds a little suspicious.

Eloise replied:

>> I'm being dense. *Why* can't s/he be?

Amy answered:

> Not being dense at all, just misreading "be not" as "not be."  I
> think Richelle was saying "it's possible that student Nott isn't a
> son/daughter..." not "it's not possible that student Nott is a
> son/daughter..."

Thank you Amy, for clearing up my bumbling grammar!  That happens when my
brain moves faster than my fingers.  :)  I did mean to say that the Nott
being sorted is most likely a relative of the DE Nott, but does'nt have to
be an offspring.  Could be niece/nephew/ cousin.  Hope that's a bit more
understandable than the last!

There'snothingtoit writes:

> Just a short post.  We all know that AK cannot be blocked by any
> normal wizard and Imperius can be fought but it takes strength of
> mind.  But what about the Cruciatus curse?  Can it be blocked or can
> it just be toned down a little by the victem?

I've been pondering that myself.  I almost think that JKR intentionally had
Harry Crucioed by Voldemort two separate times in the graveyard.  Once while
tied to the gravestone (which was completely cruel, he was totally
defenseless) and once while "dueling."  He was obviously unable to fight it
then.  But perhaps now that he's had a "taste" of it?  Don't really know the
answer, of course!

As far as the Imperius curse, who else has been able to fight it?  The real
Moody has been under it for ten months.  He hasn't broken it yet.  Crouch Jr
took how long?  Can't remember right off.  But then there's Harry Potter.
Who fights it instinctively without even realizing what he's doing.  And is
completely able to throw it off after what, four tries?  And then is able to
resist what I'm sure is a more powerful Imperius Curse from Voldemort.  Yep,
there's definitely something about Harry.

Okay, I'm trying to combine replies here, but this is getting a little long.
I think I'll go start a new one.

Richelle