Arabella Figg & cabbage

[Steve <bboy_mn@yahoo.com>]

No: HPFGUIDX 49793

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Debbie McLain <debmclain at y...>"
<debmclain at y...> wrote:
> ...edited... 
> It's a theory about Arabella Figg and cabbage.
> 
> In SS/PS,  About Mrs. Figg's house: "Harry hated it there. The whole 
> house smelled of cabbage.."
> 
> ...edited...
> 
> I am now a convert. I believe in the polyjuice!Figg theory now. 
> 
> -Debbie

bboy_mn:

Who thinks Mrs. Figg is just a nice old lady, and believes that she is
more likely to be Sirius's maternal grandmother or great aunt than she
is to be a beautiful young woman who spent 13 years as an old lady
just so she could babysite Harry 2 or 3 times a year. Also, remember
she doesn' live next door or 2 house down or across the alley; she
lives two streets away. The people who live 2 blocks in any direction
of my house are total stranges. People who I have never seen in my
live (aahhh.... city life ;) ). So two blocks away is hardly close
enough to keep a real close eye on Harry. Petunia doesn't seem the
type to let the neighbors drop by everyday for coffee. And Petunia is
unlikely to seek out the company of an old lady who smells like cabbage.

And who do you speculate this beautiful young woman might be????
...Lilly? Lilly and Petunia's other sister? Lilly's sister via here
other father? Dumbledore's daughter? ...Snapes daughter or girl
friend. Mrs. Norris during the week, beautiful old poly-juice maden on
weekends? I see no logical purpose for her to be anything other than
the story has indicated so far. We DO know that she is a witch, and we
may find out that she is a siginificant and formitable witch. But a
beautiful young madem who spend a substantial portion of the last
thrirteen years taking poly-juice? I'm sorry but that is really a
stretch. That is right up their with Hedwig being a poly-juice
whatever, assigned to keep an eye on Harry.

So what's the deal with the cabbage, you might ask? Well, think of
something else that's common and considered to have a generally
unpleasant smell, is frequently associated with smelly old people and
their old smell house (and no I don't want to get into that again;
long timers wil understand what I mean), and can be mentioned in
polite company. 

There are many other examples of JKR repeating terms and phrases.
Notice that no one ever climbs, crawl, or scrambles, they always
clamber. They clamber out of bed, the clamber up (and down) the
stairs, the clamber up (and down) the slope, the clamber in and out
the port hole, them clamber here, they clamber there, they clamber
everywhere. So I see cabbage as a simple common universally
recognizable reference, and to quote the raven, 'nothing more'. (oops,
I guess the raven said 'never more' but let's not get into that)

I think Mrs. Figg will be a very significant character. I believe
there is a lot we don't no about her. But I don't believe she is a
fair young maden who sacrificed 13 years as a smelly old lady so she
could be babysitter to 'The Boy Who Lived'.

Although, I have very little foundation for it, I'm inclined to think
Sirius had two reasons for appearing at Magnolia Drive that night
Harry ran away. One, to see Harry, the other, to see Mrs. Frigg... but
why??? That is the question??? Right now I'm leaning toward Mrs. Figg
being a friend or relative of Sirius's.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

bboy_mn