TBAY: Eureka! A Narrative Ark!

[jsmgleaner]

No: HPFGUIDX 73322

"I've been listening too," said a voice lurking in the corner of the Royal 
George, "And I think your concentration on Dean Thomas is quite brilliant, as 
is the logic that got you there."

Not realizing someone else was listenging, Kirstini swiveled on her stool and 
peered into the corner.  A weary looking but still young woman, with glasses 
perched on her head, came forward.

Kirstini looked suspiciously at her; after all, Theory Bay was being rocked by 
yellow flags aplenty these days.  "My name is Hayes, and I have two words for 
you: Ernie MacMillan."  Hayes could tell that Kirstini knew exactly where she 
was going.

"I mean, where did he come from?  A bit part in CoS?  JKR didn't even bring 
Justin Finch-Fletchly back, and he has much more of a beef with Voldemort, if 
you ask me!  You're right, JKR is looking particularly at Dean Thomas, setting 
us up.  Not sure why she didn't go for Justin . . ."

"Not in Gryffindor, so not as much impact, don't you think?" Kirstini asks as 
Hayes takes a seat next to her and places her butterbeer down.

"Too true.  But I also think that good 'ole Ernie will be killed too, Cedric style.  
In other words, surprising, but not as much impact.  And I think our theories 
are compatable since I think the death toll must be ratcheted up in the next 
book.  Every book until OotP has had 0-2 deaths.  But this is a war, and I think 
that without Harry's peer group experiencing several deaths, how will the 
Order swell its ranks?  This may have been how the Order gained such an 
infusion of members with the James, Lily, Sirius generation."

Kirstini narrowed her eyes, "Do you have canon for that?"

"No," replied Hayes,"Just chronology and supposition.  I'm not about to rest 
everything on that one.  But I do agree that the impact must be unequivocably 
felt within Hogwarts, because it will force a lot of questions about 'redemption' 
and 'traitors' that have been circulating, especially with regards to the 
Slytherins and whether we will get to see the elusive good Slytherin appear 
(which I hope for myself).  Like in the old union song: 'Which side are you on?' 
-- that will be the order of the day for the next book."

Kirstini looked closer at Hayes: "Are you new around here since I don't think 
we've been formerly introduced?"

"Just received a new post.  Taking over as Captain of the Narrative Ark."

"The Narrative Ark?  What's that?"

Hayes pointed out the grimy window of the George to a gigantic and ancient 
looking wood boat harbored at the far West side of the Bay.  "Oh," said Kirstini, 
"I thought that was just a tourist boat; you know, showing the archives, reading 
the canon, getting a great view of the Bay.  'Fun for the whole family' kind of 
place"

Hayes got up from her stool and beckoned Kirstini to follow her.  They walked 
out of the George into the bright sunlight of the bay, passed a group of surfers, 
a few of whom nodded at Hayes ("They visit a lot," Hayes explained).  They 
reached the plank of the Ark and walked up and into the creaking boat.  
Hayes suggested they go into the Captain's quarters and . . .

"But this just looks like a library!" exclaimed Kirstini

"Er, well, that's kind of what we do.  We're not a ship with can(n)ons per se; we 
are more of, um, a reference ship.  We help support theories that develop 
either through arguments about how the Harry Potter narrative has developed 
internally like yours and we also house an extensive collection of great reads 
for analogical sources (Bible, Dickens, and more obscure texts)."

"So, you're really a glorified librarian?"

Hayes stood a little taller. "My predecessor kept mainly to the Ark, but I plan to 
get more involved.  Turn the boat around, scour the Bay for useful theories for 
which I can provide canon."  Hayes briefly eyed the U.S.S. DENIAL, then 
turned back to Kirstini.  "I don't think I was too much help for you today, but I  
wanted you to see the Ark. I mean, we've got two of everything in here.  Such 
a great resource!  I think we need a higher profile."

They moved back onto the deck, and Kirstini tripped over a box.  "What the .  .  
.?"

"Oh, don't mind that; it's just a 'gay box.'  Actually, now that I think about it, that 
might be where JKR is keeping Justin Finch-'isn't Lockhart a brave chap' -
Fletchley."

"A 'gay box'!!  I've been trying to get some for my store.  Where did you get it?"

"Well, I'll let you know the distributor if you and I can sit down over your 
HUMBLE PIE.  I think it's brilliant, and I may be able to add some extra 
evidence to it."

Hayes waved Kirstini off the Ark, promising to visit soon, and set about 
cataloging some new entries.

-- jsmgleaner (with apologies since her first trip to TBay may have been too 
long and thin).