[HPforGrownups] Re: Are the gum wrappers a puzzle?

[Derek Hiemforth]

No: HPFGUIDX 87287

corinthum wrote:
>I think it much more likely that the Longbottoms really are insane, 
>due to the torture.  However, perhaps they learned something just 
>prior to or during that unpleasant experience.  Wouldn't it be much 
>more interesting and heroic if they were trying to send this vital 
>information to those who could use it?  Much more heroic, in my 
>opinion.

Derek:
I agree.  I think the wrappers *are* significant, but I also think
the Longbottoms are geniunely insane (or otherwise affected mentally).
I think Alice is desperately trying (via the wrappers) to reach
through her madness and either tell Neville something or do something
for him.

What that might be, I'm not sure.  Lily gave her very life to protect
Harry.  Perhaps Alice, in her sadly mad way, is trying to give Neville
something to protect *him*.  And I think Neville senses this.  He keeps
all the wrappers despite his grandmother's dismissal of them.

More prosaically, perhaps their attackers, or someone else they want
to draw attention to, chews Drooble's gum a lot.  If we encounter a
character who habitually chews gum, we should probably be wary of
them.  :-)

- Derek