[HPforGrownups] Grandpa Voldemort/Religion in HP

[Richelle Votaw]

No: HPFGUIDX 40491

Rosie writes:

>I could see it as more likely that it was some witch, maybe besotted by the young Riddle, but who he just used >& threw away. Then the young Voldemort!Baby got handed over to foster parents.. who also adopted... Petunia! >Thereby making it very nicely so that Petunia and her horrible son AREN'T related to Harry, which I would like >very much. Perhaps part of the reason she resents the "burden" of looking after him is that she always >suspected that she and Lily weren't true sisters, and therefore not only is she having to look after this little brat >dumped on her, but he isn't *really* even her nephew.
 
I think it is possible that something like this could be the case.  Aunt Petunia certainly doesn't seem to look very much like Lily, sure doesn't act like I'd expect her to!  And it would be very satisfying for the readers to learn that Harry isn't really Petunia's nephew!  Not to mention it takes a pretty hard person or a person who doubts the relation to treat a blood relative the way she treated Harry.  Who knows, maybe she knew she and Lily were both adopted and didn't want it revealed for some reason or another.  She is one to keep a secret.
 
A revelation such as that would make for a light moment in what will probably otherwise be a dark book with Voldemort returning and all.
 
Judy Serenity writes:
 
>Could Harry be descended from both Slytherin *and* Gryffindor?  He 
>could, which would explain the Sorting Hat's difficulties in placing 
>him.  But, being descended from Slytherin really isn't neccessary to 
>explain to explain most features of the plot.
 
I think that could be the key.  Maybe if the Heir of Slytherin was also the Heir of Gryffindor the goodness of Gryffindor would take over and eliminate Slytherin entirely.  Or perhaps the combination would make for the most powerful witch or wizard ever known.

>As for Voldemort's willingness to spare Lily, several people here have 
>independently come up with the theory that Voldemort or one of the DEs 
>had a romantic interest in her.  

Eww-yuck!  I like my idea better. :)  Less gross. :)
 
Corinth writes:

>In addition, although it's never referenced directly, I see no reason
>why wizards wouldn't practice the same religions as us muggles.  As
>far as we have been told, wizards, with the possible exception of
>Voldemort, have not achieved immortality. 
 
I really don't think even Voldemort has immortality.  Has anyone actually *tried* to kill him?  He's of course got all those DEs protecting him.  Not to mention he can pack a pretty powerful countercurse should anyone try anything.
 
On the topic of religion in HP, I think that JKR deliberately tries to avoid any religious connotations.  I mean if she had a bunch of wizards and witches going to church on Sunday that would really stir up some people!  The closest thing in any of the HP books that reminded me of religion was in the graveyard scene of GoF.  It specifically says that Harry thought these things, not prayed, but the manner of the words are reflective of prayer:

"Let it drown, please . . . let it drown . . .let it have gone wrong . . . please let it be dead . . ."

Though these are thing Harry is thinking, it's something that one would pray at  a time like that and certainly not aloud.  One can think prayers, so who knows.

Richelle


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