The Order communications & Chocolate Frog Cards (was:OOP: Hermione & Krum)

[mtwelovett]

No: HPFGUIDX 72123

Jo Serenadust wrote:

> I've finished my second reading of OoP, and I have a strong feeling 
> that the fact that Hermione is corresponding with Victor Krum has 
> nothing to do with any sort of romantic relationship between the 
> two of them. 
> 
<SNIP>
> 
> However, now that I've started reading my UK version the following 
> statement from George really jumped out at me.:  "'Charlie's in the 
> Order, too,' said George, 'but he's still in Romaina.  Dumbledore 
> wants as many foreign wizards brought in as possible, so Charile's 
> trying to make contacts on his days off.'" OoP p67 UK
> 
> I really think that Krum is now part of the Order, and that Hermione 
> has been asked by Dumbledore to keep him up to date.  After all, 
> based on their interaction in GoF and Rita Skeeter's articles, no 
> one would suspect that Hermione has been writing to him for any 
> reason beyond the obvious personal one, and Krum is no longer a 
> student at Durmstrang where, according to Draco, they 
> actually "teach" the dark arts. He's old eonough to be a full 
> member,since he's of age. 


I think this is an interesting theory, that has some plausibility.
However, I don't think that Hermione is keeping him up to date of the
Order. (for starters she isn't in the order herself, and wouldn't know
all of what is going on) I think certainly keeping the friendly bond
there, will improve relations and open the door for the possibility of
Krum being in the Order. (if Dumbledore hasn't recruited him already)
But with all the fuss about the post being read, that isn't the most
reliable method of communication. (Yes there are codes and things but
that is terribly complicated especially if she didn't even know
anything about the Order while Krum was still at Hogwarts) Besides,
Dumbledore tells Harry when he is in his office at the end of OOP,
that the Order has more reliable ways of communicating with each other
that don't involve the Fire in Umbridge's Office, but then never
elaborates on this. If Krum were already in the order I suspect
something along those lines would be used, if it was something usable
over such a distance. 

What is used????? more mirrors? Portraits? Chocolate Frog cards?--I
posted something about this and portraits (#63108) a few weeks ago and
I'm liking the thought even more, the more I think about it,
especially since Dumbledore seems to be a pretty Common Card. He seems
to be the one mentioned most often when JK mentions what card came out
of the package. Most recently, Ron gets Dumbledore in the hospital
wing and props it up on his table near the end of OOP. If Dumbledore
can "use" the cards as they "use" portraits throughout is this a
method of communication for the Order, or at the very least how he may
keep up with what is going on around the school? (Don't need an
invisibility cloak to be invisible SS) (Kinda like those magical
galleons the DA have)  ... how many sutdents carry around these cards
innocently enough? And the password to Dumbledore's office is always
some type of sweet... is this a clue somehow? The kids seem to always
have these things around and if you emptied your pockets, no one would
necessairly think twice about a Chocolate Frog Card. If no one knows
they are "usable" for communication then they wouldn't be suspect. But
what if there is a way for say the Order to use them? 

Mtwelovett