Pondering Arabell Figg

[Melanie Kirkham]

No: HPFGUIDX 56608

Samantha <scaryscarlet at ...> said
>I myself am
>leaning towards Mrs Figg being something very opposite of a 'mad old lady'
>due to much consumption of Polyjuice Potion. (cabbage smell)

Me (melmel):

First off, well-spotted!  I completely missed the cabbage reference when I 
first read the books.  I agree that the cabbage smell seems important, but I 
don't think it's due to Polyjuice potion.

Polyjuice potion doesn't just alter your appearance.  It changes your 
appearance to that of somebody else.  Moreover, a bit of that person is an 
essential ingredient.  Therefore, for Mrs. Figg to be using Polyjuice potion, 
she would have to have someone on hand to take bits from.  Since Mrs. Figg is 
one of the 'old crowd' and presumably on the side of good, I doubt she's been 
keeping an old lady trapped in her basement.

Of course, there could be an impostor posing as the real Mrs. Figg, like with 
Fake!Moody.  But I doubt it.  JKR's already done that once.  All in all, I 
think the cabbage reference must have some other significance besides 
Polyjuice potion.

melmel