Time-turner: the immutable past
qaztroc <gliese229b@aol.com>
gliese229b at aol.com
Sat Feb 15 14:34:07 UTC 2003
No: HPFGUIDX 52287
Many have already pointed out canon evidence that strongly
suggest that PoA proceeds along a single sequence of events.
In other words, the hypothetical sequence where Buckbeak is
executed never occurs. There is only one sequence of events,
and it is the one where Buckbeak is saved by H/H. Acoordingly,
time-travel in the Potterverse apparently follows the paradigm
that the past is immutable and cannot be changed.
Here's a couple thoughts on this:
First, there is this warning from Hermione: "Nothing must be
changed!" Doesn't this suggest that you *could* use a TT to
alter the past if you really wanted to? I think not.
IMO, this "rule" exists only to protect the user. If some event
is immutable, but you nevertheless actively attempt to change it,
then you may place yourself in great danger. Example: Hermione
realizes that she has missed the charms class, so she uses
the TT and goes back a few hours, and tries to catch the class.
Alas! She runs down one flight of stairs in such a hurry that
she slips and falls, breaks her legs and is sent to the hospital
wing. Or, she tries to make a short cut but falls trough a one-way
trapdoor in a long-forgotten secret room whith no way out, where
she stays captive a couple days until Peeves find hers. Or, the TT
malfunctions and sends her 1563 years in the past, with no
possibility of coming back. Whatever happens, something (bad)
occurs that ruins her attempt to be in charms, because of
course, *she was not there* as Ron and Harry can testify.
Some have also raised the point that, if the past cannot be
altered, why does Dumbledore bother to suggest to H&H that
they try and use the TT ? Actually, Dumbledore is very vague
about using the TT, he essentially gives them information which
could allow them to rescue Sirius. It is a amazing gamble from
Dumbledore at this point. His reasoning could go like this
(warning -- what follows is non-canon): "Well. It looks like
these young people will possibly be using the TT to save Buckbeack.
Ah! but that may give them a chance to save Sirius too... But this
is odd; from the look on their faces, they seem to be clueless at
this point. Hmm! Is it I who will be responsible for sending them
in the past? Should I tell them something now? Well, I should be very
careful not to be too specific. I could place them in real danger
if I encourage them to try and do something that was not actually
done -- that would be hopeless. But let's see. Buckbeak has actually
been saved, that's obvious, so I would not send them to great danger
if I suggested they do that. And Sirius, I don't know if he's been
saved or not. Maybe that still is in the future, in a few minutes
from now. If it's in the future, then there is hope. Ok... So let's
try it!" And he goes on with his vague suggestions about saving
lives, and the need for time (blink, blink).
Just look at it this way. If you still have headaches when you
think about the TT (and I know many of you still have), the "immutable
past" interpretation is the most simple and logical,
and it is as good as a couple of Tylenol tablet to relieve your
aching brain.
--
Qaztroc
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