Dementors and Squibs, esp. Figgy (was:Harry's Wand - not a coincidence?)

[S Handel]

No: HPFGUIDX 78832

> > Susan 
> >I'm sorry, but I don't think she lied.  If she did not see them, 
how 
> >did she know that there were dementors there?  She didn't run up 
to 
> >the boys asking what happened.  She told them what happened.  I 
> >think she stumbled because she 1) felt that she failed DD 2) she 
is 
> >only a squib in front of a wizard court.
> > Just my opinion, 
> 
> 
> 
> I think, as Erin said, Squibs can *feel* dementors.  Since it seems 
> evident Arabella Figg was raised by her wizard parents in the WW, 
she 
> would know all about Azkaban and dementors.  So when she felt them, 
> she recognized them for what they were.  Dumbledore probably warned 
> her specifically about dementors, in case the left MOM control and 
> rejoined Voldemort.  It would be logical for Voldemort to send them 
> after Harry: muggles can't see them, they drain a wizard of his 
> powers and Voldemort had no way of knowing Harry could produce a 
> corporeal Patronus at that time, once they've *kissed* you, there's 
> no coming back.

Susan:  The court asked if Squibs could see dementors.  Mrs. Figg 
said they could.  I think that Fudge is idiot enough to check on 
whether she was lying or not...he wants to get Harry that badly.
 
> "This is *exactly* what Dumbledore was afraid of!" (empahasis JKR, 
> OoP pg21 US hardcover)

Susan:  This is the reason he had regular wizards watching Harry 
covertly.

> 
> This could either mean he was afraid of dementors, like I already 
> suggested, or the more devious idea, of someone forcing Harry to do 
> magic outside of school and giving Fudge the ammo to try and get 
him 
> expelled.  Although Dumbledore manages to save the day on that one: 
> Fudge has no authority to expel students.  But a conviction of 
> illegal underage magic would have followed him all his life, making 
> it that much harder for anyone to take him seriously.
> 
> Back to Figgy: her evidence was less than stellar.  Besides saying 
> they run instead of glide, she said 

Susan:  Humans (WW or MW) make mistakes when they are under pressure.
 
> "Oh." said Mrs. Figg, the pink flush creeping up her neck 
now.  "They 
> were big.  Big and wearing cloaks." (pg144)

Susan:  Which they are....
 
> No one would describe a dementor this way.  No mention of thin, or, 
> more notably, hoods.  The first thing everyone says when describing 
> demetors is 'hooded'.  You cannot see their faces.  You cannot see 
> that they cannot see. You cannot see how they administer the 'kiss'.

Susan:  Who says?  How do you know how anyone would describe them?  
There is not enough canon to make that assumption.
  
> This is one of those cases where the unknown is actually less 
> frightening than the reality, but even the unknown element is 
> sufficently frightning to make an impact.  The flush seems to 
confirm 
> that she is lying.  Most people who don't normally lie, do so.  
Plus, 
> she is lying *in court*, *under oath*.  Not many people could do 
> that.  The other facts she *does* get right are ones that were very 
> easily obtained from Dumbledore. 

Susan:  Being someone who works in law enforcement and is in court 
frequently disagrees wholeheartedly with this.  I have seen the best 
of the best lie under oath.  I have seen some academy award winning 
performances out there.  People who have been put in a stressful 
situation act differently.  That is why the good guys have 
the "Burden of Proof".

> So I think she was lying, but it was a nessecary lie.  When the 
> government is corrupt, you have to work outside of it.
> 
> ~Margaret

Susan:  Final thought, if what you are saying is true....if DD had 
her lie about the situation....why not find someone who can do a 
better job....as Mrs. Figg said, "...there's going to be hell to pay 
anyway, we might as well be hanged for a dragon as an egg."