Foreshadowing Clues in CoS

[Devika <devika@sas.upenn.edu>]

No: HPFGUIDX 52888

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, GulPlum <hp at p...> wrote:
> A few things jump out at me, though:
> To date, CoS is the only book in which the Sorting Hat has had a 
function 
> beyond its immediate and named role. I expect more to come from its 
> connection to the Founders and the ability to "pull things out of 
it".
> 


Me too.  Actually, there are some other things that lead me to 
believe that the Sorting Hat is more than it seems.  We know, first 
of all, that the Sorting Hat once belonged to Godric Gryffindor.  The 
Sorting Hat says so in its song in GoF.  This might mean something in 
upcoming books.  Also, after the Sorting song in GoF, the following 
exchange takes place: 

"That's not the song it sang when it Sorted us," said Harry, clapping 
along with everyone else.

"Sings a different one every year," said Ron.  "It's got to be a 
pretty boring life, hasn't it, being a hat?  I suppose it spends all 
year making up the next one."

We're meant to assume, like Ron does, that the Sorting Hat does 
nothing more than sing one song every year.  That's a sign to me that 
the Sorting Hat probably *does* serve some other purpose that might 
become clear in OoP or beyond.

Other things I think might be important in OoP are Harry's 
Omnioculars and the penknife that Sirius gave him for Christmas.  
While reading GoF, I found myself wondering when Harry would have to 
use his Omnioculars for something relating to the Triwizard 
Tournament, and I was a bit disappointed when he never had the 
opportunity.  The Omnioculars are just too interesting not to have a 
more significant role in OoP.  The penknife could be important just 
because Harry's Christmas presents often end up being important or 
significant later (the flute and Invisibilty Cloak in PS, the 
Firebolt in PoA).  Of course, the penknife is just a handy thing to 
have around, so it could be useful without actually contributing much 
to the plot.


Devika