TBAY: Neville and Foreshadowing

[cindysphynx]

No: HPFGUIDX 39468

Cindy reclines on the tropical beach of Theory Bay, her Barcolounger 
slung low in the sand.  She holds a large mirror under her chin, 
working diligently on the kind of tan that the Captain of any vessel 
must maintain to be taken seriously in the Bay.  After many long 
hours, her skin takes on a weather-beaten, leathery appearance.  
Cindy surveys her face in the mirror and nods with approval.

Suddenly, something blocks out the sun.  Towering over her is a 
curious and rather moist British man, dapper in a woolen pin-stripe 
suit for a casual stroll on the beach.  He loosens his tie and 
begins speaking into what appears to be an oversized paddle.

Cindy blinks, hard.  She must remember to come in from the sun 
before she becomes quite so dehydrated.  The man beckons her to rise 
from her chair and thrusts the paddle at her.  She can hear a whiny, 
rather squeaky female voice coming from the paddle.  Cindy raises 
the hilt to her ear and concentrates hard.  

@------((()  @------((()  @------((()  @------((() @------((()  

Faith is nattering on again.  This time, she is taking issue with an 
idea that is at the very foundation of the outlandish speculation in 
Theory Bay -- That Everything In HP Happens For A Reason.  This is a 
very important point, after all.  Without this principle, all canon 
mysteries really can only be addressed with a shrug that says, "Why 
are you asking me?  Ask JKR!"  There is reason to believe that this 
is exactly what Faith *wants*!

That simply won't do.  The denizens of Theory Bay cannot survive on 
a basic diet of quarrelling about Hermione's birthday.  They need 
Real speculation, something to sink their teeth into, something 
worth fighting over, and Faith is seriously getting in the way.  

"We need *some* background that is purely background," Faith cries 
hysterically, her voice mysteriously amplified as it blasts from the 
paddle.  "At least *one* Hogwarts pet could do with being just a 
pet.  At least one Hogwarts professor should turn out to be a career 
teacher with nothing more on their mind than pedagogic proficiency."

Cindy glares at the British man, who shrugs helplessly.

"Listen, Faith," Cindy snarls, her parched lips scraping the 
paddle.  "We've been over this before.  There is a Big difference 
between background that is just background and background that is 
foreshadowing.  JKR will sometimes decorate scenes with magical 
knickknacks that are unimportant.  In fact, I can't even think of a 
knickknack in canon that has turned out to be a significant part of 
a Big plot twist.  Oh, sure.  Magical objects might pay a small role 
as part of a larger effort at foreshadowing.  Harry's noticing the 
Grim on the cover of a schoolbook is one example.  Odd things 
*abound* in the wizarding world.  I mean, it's the *wizarding 
world*, after all.

"But when *characters themselves* display some odd trait that is 
drummed into the reader, JKR is setting up something Big.  Moody 
drinking from a hip flask.  Lupin's repeated illnesses.  Pettigrew's 
longevity.  Quirrell's turban.  And, I submit, Neville's 
forgetfulness.  This isn't just window-dressing.  JKR is *always* 
going somewhere when she bothers to make her characters quirky."

Cindy waited, drumming her fingers impatiently on the shaft of the 
paddle.  Faith is speechless.  A nice change, Cindy thought.

Cindy presses her advantage.  "So, tell me, Little Miss 
Whippersnapper.  Can you think of a major plot twist that has hinged 
on some minor little object, some cute piece of set design, some 
unimportant possession of one of the characters?  You know, "Monster 
Book of Monsters", Rememberall, Omnioculars?  Anything, anything at 
all?"

Cindy waits, listening to a strange blank buzzing coming from the 
paddle as Faith concentrates on this question.  

"Didn't think so," Cindy says sarcastically.  She shoves the paddle 
back into the man's hands, which shake slightly as he lifts it to 
his shoulder.  "I know you're new around these parts, but can I make 
a very small suggestion?"

The man nods slowly.  

"Remember that inflatable raft I gave you a while back?," Cindy 
asks.  "Well, between you and me, no one has boarded it, and half of 
the air has already leaked out.  You *have* to take care of your 
vessel around here."  Her eyes flick to the neglected hovercraft, 
which now houses a large family of beavers.  She shudders 
imperceptibly.   

"Look, that raft will sink like a stone if you don't keep plenty of 
air in it.  You do know how to keep it inflated, don't you?" The man 
stares at her with vacant eyes.

Cindy sighs heavily, shaking her head.  

"Just put your lips together and blow."

************ 


Cindy

***************

For an explanation of the acronyms and theories in this post, visit
Hypothetic Alley at 
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/files/Admin20Files/hypoth
eticalley.htm 

and Inish Alley at 
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/database?
method=reportRows&tbl=13