[HPforGrownups] Re: Squibs (was: Is Trelawney a witch?)

[Laura Ingalls Huntley]

No: HPFGUIDX 87188

Eric:
> Actually, I can really feel for poor Mr. Filch---he's probably unable 
> to
> function in the Muggle world, and he's trapped in a magical world 
> where even
> little kids can do all sorts of things he can never do.  In his place, 
> doing
> his job, trying to keep that castle clean despite those hordes of 
> unruly,
> disrespectful over-priviliged ungrateful brats, I'd be pretty bitter 
> myself,
> and would long for the day I could physically lash out at them.  
> Frankly, I
> bet that at the end of OotP, even with all the chaos, he probably 
> cracked
> open a bottle of champers in his quarters in celebration of Gred and 
> Forge
> going off to be thorns in someone _else's_ side.
>
> And he has other reasons to be bitter than just envy---what chance do 
> any of
> you think he ever had of getting married or even having a girlfriend?
> Probably, effectively _zero._

Well, there's always Mrs. Norris.  ^_^ And no, that's not as dirty as 
it sounds.  I firmly believe that Mrs. Norris is indeed a human woman 
stuck in cat form -- I mean, *honestly*, who names a cat *Mrs.* Norris? 
  What, did Mr. Norris run off with that cute tabby down the street? 
(Actually, I've known several people who name their pets silly things 
such as Mr. Biggles or the like, but just for the sake of the argument, 
let's all just pretend giving an animal a human title is ridiculous and 
highly unusual.  'Kay? ^_^)

Janet Anderson:
> Yes, but that's not because he's a Squib, it's because he's Filch.  
> After
> all, Mrs. Figg is also a Squib and clearly was married and relatively
> well-adjusted.

Well, she *is* quite batty.  Though I consider the fact that both she 
and Filch have the ability to converse with cats (the Human!Mrs. Norris 
theory -- forgot the acronym, sorry -- nonwithstanding) pretty much 
conclusive evidence that most (if not all) Squibs are not, 
magically-speaking, the equivalent of a Muggle.

As for Squibs being able to function normally and marry within the 
Wizarding World -- well, heck, some witches and wizards even marry 
*Muggles*.  I'm sure a Squib is considered at least more socially 
desirable than *that*.

Janet again:
> I, personally, cannot see why Dumbledore keeps Filch around at all.  
> The
> house-elves could do his job.  He has no magic.  He's detested not 
> only by
> the students, but by the Hogwarts ghosts.  And he has all Snape's
> personality flaws without Snape's brains or ability.
> Perhaps Filch (or Mrs. Norris) is another person who has to stay at 
> Hogwarts
> in order to be safe from Voldemort.

Perhaps, or perhaps he was hired by a previous headmaster, and 
Dumbledore just doesn't have the heart to throw him out on the street.  
Really, what could he *possibly* do with his life, if he didn't work at 
Hogwarts?  Nobody'd have him.

Laura (who wonders if Mrs. Norris was a full witch or not and if she 
can still do magic of any kind.)