Petrified Mrs. Norris

[jklb66]

No: HPFGUIDX 36342

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "Tabouli" <tabouli at u...> wrote:
> OK, so the Basilisk left behind by Salazar is being sneaked out by 
>his Heir out through the sink, aiming to rid the school of Muggle-
>Borns.  Later he moves on to target Harry, of course, but at the 
>start he's definitely after Muggle-Borns. [Snip] What would Salazar 
>(and, presumably, Voldemort) think of Squibs?  Well, not much, I'd 
>guess. [Snip](Muggle-borns are dangerous because they *have* power, 
>they can compete with Pureblood Wizards on an equal footing yet may 
>have lingering loyalty to the Muggles whence they came.)  [Snip] 
>So.  If we accept that Squibs are an unlikely first target for 
>Salazar, the events in CoS look odd indeed.  Why, when the school is 
>teeming with menacing Muggle-borns, is the *first* creature to be 
>attacked by a Basilisk wielding Tom Riddle not a Muggle-born but, 
>*apparently*, a mere cat?  

I've always been of the opinion that Mrs. Norris was just an 
accidental first victim.  Tom had finally gotten enough control over 
Ginny to go fetch his pet basilisk and go muggle-born hunting.  The 
basilisk comes out of the bathroom, and oops! Mrs. Norris happens to 
be there looking at the puddle.  The fact that she gets petrified 
right outside the bathroom supports this.  It isn't like the basilisk 
tracked her down in some remote part of the castle.  From that point 
on, Tom chooses his targets with care and more stealth.  

It also works from a story-telling POV because it leads to Harry 
getting falsely accused right away.  With Mrs. Norris attacked, Filch 
is sure to accuse someone, and Harry happens to been given a "motive" 
(at least in Filch's eyes).  Look at the next victim, Colin.  Would 
his attack have led to anyone accusing Harry?  No.  Harry had been 
patient with Colin's hero-worship. But once Harry had already been 
accused, then people could say, "Well, Colin has been annoying Harry."

-Jennifer
"Oh, well...I'd just been thinking...if you had died, you'd have been 
welcome to share my toilet," said Myrtle, blushing silver.