(non)TBAY: Arthur Weasley With Imperius Curse and Small Craft Advisories

[Veronica]

No: HPFGUIDX 45332

Anna Hemmant wrote:
> 
> Hello! Can I pleade just say that JKR seriously puts a lot of 
> emphasis on the fact that it not what we are born, but what we 
chose 
> to become that shapes us. Therefore, any explaination in terms of 
> inheritance couldn't be countenanced. However, perhaps you might be 
> onto something in the magical inheritance thing, but what could 
the  
> the cruciatus curse or the AK curse have similar effects? Would 
> these have to run in the same way as inheritance? i.e. would 
neville 
> have some kind of traces of the crucio in his blood despite the 
fact 
> that it's administered to his parents after he's born? Would this 
> add to the sociological reasons for his fear of this specific 
curse, 
> or am I just talking a load of brown round things?

You are right, Anna. JKR does make a point to saying that the choices 
we make are more important than what we are born with, or as it is 
stated at the end of CoS (US, HB 333), "It is our choices, Harry, 
that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."

That said, I think she has a special importance for what he inherit, 
though, too. A great deal has been made recently about whether Harry 
inherited Quiddich skills from his father. There are hints that 
Harry's eyes, which he inherited from his mother, will play an 
important role, and while we do not know for a fact, most folks seem 
to agree that magical ability itself is inherited.

So, while she does place a lot of importance on the decisions we 
make, there is still an arguement for heridity--especially in a case 
like this where no choice is involved. Ron would not have to choose 
whether or not to be more vulnerable to a particular curse. That 
MIGHT POSSIBLY just be something that is in his blood or his genes, 
for whatever reason. Just as magical ability itself MIGHT be genetic--
notice there is no choice there either. =)

Perhaps there is room for both, as both have already begun to play a 
part, and we still have three books left (YEAH!).

Veronica