methods of communication

[Indigo]

No: HPFGUIDX 68770

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "J" <jdq53562 at a...> wrote:
> --- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "tcyhunt" <tcyhunt at e...> 
wrote:
>   In "The Lost Prophecy" (pg. 830, American Edition), Dumbledore 
says 
> to Harry:  "He [Snape], like you, attempted to contact Serius at 
> once.  I should explain that members of the Order of the Phoenix 
have 
> more reliable methods of communicating than the fire in Dolores 
> Umbridge's office."
> 
> What does he mean by 'more reliable methods of communicating'?  And 
> does this mean that the methods we know of (owls, floo powder, 
> howlers, etc.) are UNreliable? 
> Any thoughts?
> > 
> Tcy
> 
> REPLY:  
> I am curious about this as well....perhaps, two way mirrors such as 
> Sirius had, charmed two-way parchment, other charmed objects that 
> allow communication iwth one person or a group of people...????
> 
> Either way, I am disappointed that none of these methods was passed 
> along to Harry to be used to communicate with Sirius and even the 
> Weaseleys with their parents.  
> 
> Arya

Owls are only somewhat reliable.

Sirius used odd birds besides Owls to deliver stuff to Harry so as to 
throw off suspicion, but Errol has been blown off course and been 
late with his deliveries, and  all through the beginning of OtP, 
there were warnings of the owls getting intercepted.  

Floo Powder is clearly only as reliable as your clear and steady 
speaking voice, and can be monitored/listened to. 

[Moviepoisoning]
Harry:  Diagonally!
Molly: What did he say?
Arthur: Diagonally.
Molly: I thought he did.
[/moviepoisoning]

The only two-way parchment we've seen so far was Riddle's diary, [and 
the Marauder's Map] wasn't it? Perhaps not the best example[s], 
especially given Riddle was being a smooth liar and MWPP were quite 
cheerfully spouting insults at Snape.

We don't know how reliable Sirius' mirrors would've been. 

And unfortunately, while Dumbledore's hindsight is 20-20, Harry 
simply /does NOT trust Snape/ as far as he can throw him.  Even in 
desperation, Harry's loathing of Snape made him not think until the 
very last minute that Snape was in a position to help Sirius.

My question is: why did Snape not get back to Harry after 
ascertaining Sirius was safe?

Indigo