Symbols next to Characters' Names -Meanings? +Wizard Bloodlines

[nightlysparks]

No: HPFGUIDX 40084

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "Jedi Knight Jo" <jloveys at z...> wrote:
> 
> Wow. You must have really really good eyesight to have seen all of 
them.  I tried when it was on but I couldn't see very much.

I cheated, I used TiVo.

> >>After that, there are symbols of stars, one plain, one in a 
circle, and an "N" in a square. 
> I thought they were supposed to represent how powerful they were 
>for JK's reference?  That wouldn't necessarily mean that the symbols 
>stood for their pureness (or not) of blood, would it?  

They might stand for power, I'm not sure.  The basis of my argument 
was by categorizing all the people with the same symbol next to them 
(i.e. both Hermione and Justin Finch-Fletchly have the N with a 
square...both are Muggles.) However, since we can't see that second 
page (and it's so temptingly partially there!) I don't know.  Power 
does seem like a good idea though.

>> on the blood front though, how pure is Harry?  His mum and dad 
were a witch >and a wizard, but his mum was Muggle-born, so does that 
make him >pure-blood or half-blood?

I was wondering about this as well.  Is Harry considered a pure-blood 
because both his parents are wizards, or not because Lily has Muggle 
roots?  What exactly does "pure-blood" entail?  Certainly if you can 
trace lineage far back, and there are *only* wizards in the lineage, 
it is (and rare), but what about Ernie McMillian? - For example, in 
CoS, he said he could trace his lineage back for 9 generations of 
witches and wizards.  Does this mean that before that, a wizard 
married a muggle, and created wizard offspring who married witches?  
Or was it simply that's as far back as Ernie could trace?  Ernie 
claims he's a pure blood, so does Ron (and Molly Weasley has a 2nd 
cousin who's an accountant).  So apparently there could be Muggles in 
a wizard ancestry, but is there a limit on how many and / or how far 
back they are?

Any other ideas on this would be welcome.

-Emily
nightlysparks