Color Symbolism and animagi

[psychodudeneo]

No: HPFGUIDX 44658

Leanne Daharja Veitch <daharja at b...> wrote:

> However, when it comes to animals there *are* a few interesting 
points to note. I'm particularly interested in Crookshanks. I noted 
that Dumbledore's auburn hair (in his youth) was referred to for the 
first time directly before the appearance of Crookshanks (towards the 
end of CS p183, and early in PA (p49), respectively). Dumbledore's 
crooked nose is mentioned quite
> regularly throughout the books. Crookshanks is both ginger 
and 'crooked' (and definately male) - merely coincidence? It's also 
interesting to note that Animagi seem generally to be of larger size 
than ordinary animals of their type. Scabbers is referred to 
repeatedly as 'large and fat', Black is an 'enormous' black dog, Rita 
Skeeter is a 'large, fat beetle' and Crookshanks
> is 'either a very big cat or quite a small tiger'.
> 
> Crookshanks also appears in Diagon Alley immediately Harry goes to 
live in the Leaky Cauldron in PA. Crookshanks appears at the door of 
Harry's dormitory when Black is on the prowl, almost as if he is 
guarding him. Then (and I am sure I have failed to point out several 
other instances of note), there is Black's (?) comment that 
Crookshanks is "the most intelligent of his
> kind I've ever met" (PA, p267). Finally, it would make sense that 
Dumbledore, as the greatest Wizard of his time, would also be an 
animagus (especially if such less able Wizards as Pettigrew can be 
animagi). I'm suggesting (if this hasn't already been suggested), 
that Dumbledore may well be Crookshanks. It is also interesting to 
note that Harry only moved to the Weasley's
> in GF *after* Crookshanks had been installed there (it is mentioned 
that both Hermione and Crookshanks are already at the Weasley's when 
Harry arrives). A protection measure? Possibly.
> 
> Daharja XXX

I can't possibly see how this would work out.  It has been done 
before, an Animagus posing as someone's pet (and may assume that it 
will be done again, with Harry and Sirius) however, Peter's place in 
the world and Dumbledore are very different.

Peter was presumed dead, he had no responsibilities or a life to 
live, so he was free to pose as Scabbers all the time.

Dumbledore, on the other hand, seems to be a very busy wizard in 
general.  I would imagine that people would start to notice that he 
was missing for long periods of time.  I could imagine more important 
things for Dumbledore to be doing than letting Hermione stroke his 
fur while she studies.

Another flaw is that, if Dumbledore is Crookshanks, then presumably 
he knew all about Peter at the very beginning of PoA.  Or at least 
had a feeling that something was quite right with Scabbers.  I don't 
see why he wouldn't take any steps to try to contain/expose Scabbers 
for what he really is.  Especially when he had just about the entire 
year to figure out a way.

Also, if Dumbledore was going to disguise himself as an animal for 
the purposes of protecting Harry, it's a poor choice that he ended up 
getting adopted by Hermione. The only time when Crookshanks would be 
around Harry, is at Hogwarts itself.  Something that seems redundant 
when Dumbledore already seems to be doing all he can to protect Harry 
at Hogwarts already.

Not to mention he'd have to regularly nick away during the summer to 
visit his "owner" regularly.  All in all, it's wasting too much time 
for a disguise that often distracts you from what you're trying to 
protect.

It's a nice theory, it just doesn't hold water in the end.