JKR's best interview

[John, C]

No: HPFGUIDX 75185

JKR's best interview -

This is my first post on HP4GU, so I thought i'd discuss a few snippets from
the best interview (in terms of info) JKR has ever given. This was given
just before the release of GOF.

1. About Lily
Q. Hi, I really like the books and we already learned a lot about Harry's
father and I was wondering 'Are we going to learn a lot about his mother?'
JKR. Yeah, you will. It's ---- yet again ---- you won't find out ---- OK, in
Book 3 you're absolutely right. You find out a lot about Harry's father. Now
the important thing about Harry's mother, the really, really significant
thing, you're going to find out in 2 parts. You'll find out a lot more about
her in Book 5, or you'll find out something very significant about her in
Book 5, then you'll find out something incredibly important about her in
Book 7. But I can't tell you what those things are so I'm sorry, but yes,
you will find out more about her because both of them are very important in
what Harry ends up having to do.

I think this is my favourite quote ever. I love the bit that states 'what
Harry ends up having to do'. Makes it sound like Harry has to do something,
which your average person wouldn't want to do!. But I really can't think
what important thing we found out about Lily in Book 5. The only thing I can
think of is that she didn't like James very much! 

2. About Snape

Q. There's an important kind of redemptive pattern to Snape
JKR. He, um, there's so much I wish I could say to you, and I can't because
it would ruin. I promise you, whoever asked that question, can I just say to
you that I'm slightly stunned that you've said that and you'll find out why
I'm so stunned if you read Book 7. That's all I'm going to say.

Up until this point (pre GOF) Snape had been nothing but unpleasant.
Therefore, I can only imagine JKR is stunned because Snape definitely will
redeem himself in book 7. I've always wondered about Snape that his life
debt to James may have been powerful enough that as soon as Voldemort
intended to kill James (& Lily & Harry), this turned Snape into an enemy of
Voldemort (magic at it's most impenetrable - as DD says in POA)

JKR. Snape is a very sadistic teacher, loosely based on a teacher I myself
had, I have to say. I think children are very aware and we are kidding
ourselves if we don't think that they are, that teachers do sometimes abuse
their power and this particular teacher does abuse his power. He's not a
particularly pleasant person at all. However, everyone should keep their eye
on Snape, I'll just say that because there is more to him than meets the eye
and you will find out part of what I am talking about if you read Book 4.

I've seen lots of posts stating that Snape teaches the way he does, so as to
help students learn. But it seems that he just isn't a nice person and is
quite willing to humiliate students for his own pleasure!

3. About death

JKR. The natural laws of death applies to wizards as it applies to Muggles
and there is no returning once you're properly dead. You know, they might be
able to save very close to death people better than we can, by magic. They
have certain knowledge we don't, but once you're dead, you're dead. So,
yeah, I'm afraid there will be no coming back for Harry's parents.

I think this should end the James/Lupin switch theory. James is dead -
that's it. I do agree that Lupin acts slightly strangely when talking to
Harry in POA, but I presume it is because of the talk about James & Lily.
Also, from their Patronus chat, it would appear that in the past, Lupin has
tried to fight off dementors... and failed!

4. About Ginny

JKR. Obviously, it is inappropriate in books like these, it would be totally
alien to the tone of these books if I got into too brutally realistic of an
area ---- you know, we're not going to be looking at teenage pregnancy here,
we're not going to be looking at drug taking here, you know. This would be
totally alien to the spirit of these books. However, I do want Harry to grow
up in a realistic way.

I remember a post about Voldemort somehow being the child of Ginny Weasley
after using a time-turner. I don't think so!!

Finally, I just wanted to include something I was listening to this morning.
The fact that in COS, Harry was sure he had heard the name Riddle before. I
don't think JKR would include this line for no reason. I don't think Ron had
mentioned the name to harry after he had cleaned the trophy.  If the name
Riddle means something to Harry, it probably comes from his childhood. With
the Dursley's! Has Petunia mentioned any Riddle relatives to Harry before?