[HPforGrownups] Re: Chapter Discussions: Chapter 8, The Hearing

[rayheuer3 at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 87527

On the subject of whether squibs can see Dementors, Geoff wrote:

>Ah, but they can....

>"'I'm a Squib,'said Mrs.Figg, 'So you wouldn't have me registered, 
>would you?'
>'A Squib, eh?' said Fudge, eyeing her closely. 'We'll be checking 
>that. You'll leave details of your parentage with my assistant 
>Weasley. Incidentally, can Squibs see Dementors?' he added, looking 
>left and right along the bench.
>'Yes, we can!'said Mrs.Figg indignantly."

>(OOTP "THe Hearing" p.131 UK edition)

Ray:
An excellent point.  However, the source for this information is Mrs. Figg 
herself.  She had just been forced to admit that she was a Squib.  While "Squib" 
does not seem to have the perjorative impact of "Mudblood". it is obvious 
that a Squib is less than a full Witch.  Fudge then continues the insult by 
implying that, like Muggles, Squibs can't see Dementors.  Compounding this was the 
fact that not one member of the Wizengamot seemed to know whether they can or 
not.  Faced with this double insult, I'm not surprised that Mrs. Figg 
immediately insisted that, in this respect at least, Squibs are as much a part of the 
WW as Witches.

Mrs. Figg insists that she saw the Dementors, but she was unable to describe 
them.  So there is reason to believe Squibs <i>can</i> see Dementors, and 
reason to believe they <i>can't</i>.  Until JKR gives a definitive "ruling", I 
guess we'll be forced to disagree on this point.

  --  Ray


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