Why did TR go bad?; Prank redux; Avery

[judyserenity]

No: HPFGUIDX 34927

"tex23236" <jbryson at r...> asked a number of questions:
> Yo, Lollipopsers!  Why did TR go bad?
> ...Was Myrtle his unrequited love? 
> ...Was TR driven into darkness from guilt over Myrtle's death?

Well, at the time of Myrtle's death, Tom Riddle had been sic-ing his 
basilisk on muggle-borns for a while, and he had spent years trying to 
access the legendary "monster of slytherin", so I'd have to say 
no. Seems like he was already pretty evil. 

> Did Olive Hornby give Myrtle so much pain because she was 
> jealous of TR's love?

Well, Tom Riddle is described as tall, handsome, well-liked, and a top 
student, while Myrtle is described as dumpy, pimply, and unpopular, so 
I'd guess not.

> Where was the tunnel to the Chamber before Hogwarts got indoor
> plumbing?

There has been some interesting speculation on this here before -- I 
can't remember the particulars, though. 


In regards to the infamous Prank, Tex speculated that Snape already 
knew Lupin was a werewolf, saying:

> Many astute Hogwarts students would have figured out Lupen was
> a werewolf, just as Hermione did.

I'd say the books are pretty clear that Snape *didn't* know the Lupin 
was a werewolf.  I'd say this is a weak part of the plot -- Snape is 
smart, he should've figured it out.  But why would he run into the 
Shrieking Shack to face a deadly werewolf, if he knew?  Why not just 
tell his friends at school that Lupin was a werewolf?  (Perhaps he 
could have "let it slip" to the other Slytherins at breakfast, thus 
saving everyone a lot of time).  No, it seems clear that JKR intended 
Snape not to know about Lupin's lycanthropy.  Maybe Snape didn't have 
much contact with the Gryffindors, and didn't have much data about 
when Lupin was absent? 

In other words, give it up; Sirius knew what he was doing and the 
Prank was his fault.  I'm willing to admit that Snape is unjustifiably 
mean to Neville if you'll admit that Sirius is to blame for the Prank. 
 


Cindy speculated that Avery is head of the Department of Magical 
Catastrophes, and held that position at the time of the Potter's 
death:
> Fudge was Avery's underling in the DMC, but 
> Fudge was on the fast track due to his keen political instincts and 
> affable nature. 

Uh, Avery would sure need to be on the fast track, too.  As one of 
Snape's circle of friends at Hogwarts, he'd have to be about Snape's 
age.  That would make him around 21 at the time of the Potters' 
deaths.  Awfully young to be a department head (although who knows, 
Percy might manage it.)


A quick off-topic note -- I currently have web access, but not email 
access.  So, if you've emailed me, it will probably be several days 
before I can reply -- sorry!

-- Judy