[HPforGrownups] Lily = Slytherin or Griffindor

[Edblanning at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 41149

In a message dated 13/07/02 07:42:43 GMT Daylight Time, bboy_mn at yahoo.com 
writes:


> is a current thread speculating that Lily is related to Voldemort. 
> 
> I'm starting a new post, because the original thread on this subject
> has become extremely long, and trying to sort out who said what is
> very difficult. So I will just make some general comments on my own.
> 
> The theory being that Tom Riddle left Hogwarts and with the Riddle
> family fortune, change his name to Evans and lived as a muggle long
> enough to father Lily Evans/Potter.
> 
> There is only one problem with that theory. It's on his father's side
> that he most resembles Tom Riddle. Tom Riddle, James Potter, and Harry
> all look very much alike; same hair, same general build, etc. 
> 
> On the other hand his mother has green eyes and red hair. Unless I'm
> mistaken Auburn or reddish-brown hair would most likely tie her to
> Griffindor.
> 
> The concept of Harry being part Slytherin and part Griffindor is very
> interesting. I guess we'll have to wait and see. But if it is true, I
> would speculate that it would have to be the way I outlined it here;
> Lily=Griff and James=Slyth.
> 

If you look up the Lexicon FAQ file, easily accessible via the HPFGU 
homepage, the question of Lily's house was settled by JKR in an on-line chat. 
She was Gryffindor, 'of course'.

Whether or not she is related to Slytherin or Gryffindor is a completely 
different issue. Having red hair may indicate a family connection with 
certain other families: the Weasleys who *are* Gryffindors and Dumbledore, 
who may well be (although we do not *know* this). To suggest that being 
genetically related to a particular line or that physical characteristics 
indicate which house one is suited is to deny the choice vs. birth theme of 
the series.

I am also rather troubled by the physical supposed resemblance of Harry to 
Tom Riddle. I know Riddle says it's there, but we have to take his word for 
it. They are both slim and black-haired, but Harry is small and Riddle tall. 
Riddle is handsome, whereas the only other thing that I recall about Harry's 
looks is that his hair sticks up untidily. Harry wears glasses, Riddle does 
not. I'm not convinced that the physical resemblance is enough to make me 
suspect that they are related.

As I have stated more than once, I believe it is impossible that either of 
Harry's parents are descended from Salazar Slytherin. This is what canon 
tells us and it is gross misdirection if it is untrue. If JKR suddenly 
reveals that Dumbledore got it wrong because, of course, he isn't really 
omniscient, I, for one, shall feel very cheated.

Eloise


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