[HPforGrownups] Puzzles: Wormtail's finger and Shrieking Shack tunnel

[Margaret Dean]

No: HPFGUIDX 79302

a_reader2003 wrote:
> 
> I have just been re-reading PoA and two logistics problems occurred
> to me:
> 
> (1) How did Wormtail simultaneously cut off his finger and blow a
> hole in the ground whilst he was holding his wand with both hands
> behind his back ?? Note also, that Sirius says 'I cornered him',
> suggesting to me that Peter did not come there willingly to meet
> Sirius, but had come for some other purpose initially.

>From his point of view Sirius may =think= he "cornered" Wormtail,
but given the outcome of the encounter (which was definitely
Wormtail - 1, Padfoot - 0), I strongly suspect that that was
simply what Peter wanted Sirius to believe.  Peter had things
well planned out in advance, which could well have included
holding a previously severed finger behind his back along with
his wand.  (And why =would= he hold both hands behind his back
unless he was hiding something -- such as, for instance, a bloody
stump?)
 
> (2) The tunnel from the Whomping willow to the Shrieking Shack is
> initially described as so low and narrow that Harry and Hermione had
> to crouch double to get along it. Then, as Sirius and Remus talk
> about their schoolboy exploits, they explain that Sirius and James
> transformed as a bear-size dog and a stag with antlers, but were
> still able to follow Remus down the tunnel. Later, four adults, some
> tied together, manage to walk back along it, including Snape in a
> more-or-less upright position ! Hmmmmmm

It's MAGIC!  :D


--Margaret Dean
  <margdean at erols.com>