On the nature of evidence (WAS objections to Magic Dishwasher

Thu Feb 6 22:57:14 UTC 2003

No: HPFGUIDX 51768

On the nature of Evidence

Tom's comments that MD makes assumptions (which, as Grey Wolf points 
out, all theories do) made me wonder.  I wondered which points that 
we now *know* to be canon had no direct canon proof by the end of 
particular books.

After all, we are only at the end of Book Four in a seven book 
series. There must be some future canon, which presently is in a 
state of `no direct canon proof'.

[Kitchen appliances? Me? No, I was thinking of LOLLIPOPS. Honestly. ]

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**End of Book One**

**Theory: Harry's ability to talk to snakes is rare and may be 
important in a later book.**

Evidence: No other wizards are seen talking to any animal (in the 
animal vs plant sense)
	Not other animal is seen talking to any wizard.
	Harry cannot talk to any other type of animal.
	Harry can't even talk to Hedwig, his familiar.

Direct canon proof: None. There is no canonical line in PS/SS along 
the lines of `you can talk to snakes. Gosh, that's rare'.

Argument against the theory: this is a theory based entirely on 
negative evidence. You're basing it entirely on what JKR *hasn't 
said. How many snakes are there likely to be at Hogwarts, anyway?

**Theory: Hagrid's expulsion had something to do with his liking for 
big hairy monsters.**

Evidence: Hagrid was expelled. 
	Hagrid likes monsters (Fluffy, Norbert).
	Hagrid doesn't use common sense when offered the chance to 
own a big hairy monster.

Direct canon proof: Only that Hagrid was expelled. There is no 
mention of *why*.

Argument against the theory: Oh, come off it! Hagrid getting into 
trouble (well, getting the Trio into trouble) because he likes hairy 
monsters is one of the major subplots in PS/SS. Surely JKR can come 
up with something more original. Next you'll be suggesting Voldemort 
got him kicked out!

**End of Book Two**

**Theory:Scabbers is an animagi in hiding**

Evidence: Scabbers doesn't transform under Ron's `yellow rat' spell 
in PS/SS.
	Ron describes him as Percy's *old* rat. But rats only live 2 
or 3 years; so Scabbers should be dead by now.
Students can only bring a frog, or cat, or toad. But no one seems to 
notice Ron has a rat.
	People can become animals in the Potterverse (McGonagall in 
PS/SS)

Direct canon proof: None.

Argument against the theory: Does JKR know how long rats live? She 
doesn't mention the lifespan of rats in either book one or two, so 
your assumption is non-canonical. Scabbers lives in a magical 
family, so he could easily be a magical rat. Ron wasn't even a first 
year yet when he tried the spell on Scabbers. The Weasley's would 
have noticed if Scabbers was living an unusually long time.

Besides, what's going to make someone so desperate that they hide 
out as a kid's pet rat?

**End of Book Three**

**Theory: There are House Elves at Hogwarts**

Evidence: House elves are servants. Among other things, they cook 
meals.
	The food at Hogwarts appears as if by magic. We never find 
out who cooks it.
	House elves `come with big old manors and castles and places 
like that
' [CoS ch. 3]. Hogwarts is an old castle.

Direct canon proof: None.

Argument against the theory: Would Dumbledore have staff as enslaved 
as Dobby? If house elves are at Hogwarts, how come we've never seen 
them? I mean, we've known they exist since the end of Book 2. 

The food appears by magic because it *is* magic. It's a school for 
wizards (and witches) after all.

**Theory: Hagrid is half or full giant. He doesn't reveal this 
because giants are objects of prejudice in the Wizarding World.**

Evidence: Hagrid is described as a `giant of a man'. His 
head `brushed the ceiling' [PS/SS, Ch. 4]
	However, no one ever explains to Harry *why* he is so big.
	Further, no one ever really *mentions* Hagrid's height. It's 
as if it shouldn't be mentioned.

Direct canon proof: None

Argument against: This is an entirely negative theory. It's based on 
things that *aren't* said in canon. The most reasonable explanation 
is that people never mention Hagrid's size because giants (or half-
giants) are so taken for granted in the WW that no one ever thinks 
it needs mentioning.

Besides, maybe he just swallowed an entire bottle of Skele-Grow when 
he was a kid.

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So, the case for wild theories inferred without direct canon proof 
is actually pretty strong.  And theories based on what *isn't* said? 
No problem.

So what will happen in Book Five?

Well, there is always my favourite whacky theory.

::long pause::

Kitchen Appliance? No. I have another theory about what will happen 
in Book Five. Based on the following:

**At the end of Book Two:**

**Theory: Harry will turn out to have a Godfather he never knew 
about. This person hasn't taken him from the Dursley's because he's 
been unjustly accused of the murder of Harry's parents. He escapes 
from Azkaban to find the real murderer.

Evidence:

Hey! What left field did *that* one come out of?

Pip!Squeak

[Awaiting another left-fielder on June 21st]

http://www.hpfgu.org.uk/faq/hypothetically.html 
for an explanation of MAGIC DISHWASHER, LOLLIPOPS and more