Harry's Christmas Present, was Re: Did Sirius have a knife?

[Jaimee]

No: HPFGUIDX 59477

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Ersatz Harry" 
<ersatzharry at y...> wrote:
> All this talk of Ron's dress robes and the Severing Charm, combined
> with some of the recent discussion about WW technology (particularly
> plumbing) triggered a thought.  While I don't have PoA with me right
> now, I seem to recall that Ron said Sirius had a knife when he
> (Sirius) showed up in the dormitory, and that the curtains were
> slashed.  I definitely recall that the Fat Lady's painting was
> slashed, and I assume that Sirius didn't do that with dog claws 
since
> he had to be in human form to speak the password.  (He could have 
done
> it with a spell, I suppose.)
> 
> Doesn't a knife seem to be a bit of a low-tech weapon for the WW?  
Am
> I recalling Sirius's visit to the dormitory correctly?  Didn't 
Sirius
> have a wand at the Shrieking Shack?
> 
> Ersatz Harry


Jaimee:

Speaking of knives...Sirius also sends Harry a "pen knife" for 
Christmas in GoF "with attachments to unlock any lock and undo any 
knot (p.410 US harback)" Cool gift, really...but, considering Sirius' 
concerns for Harry's safety at that time, why a knife instead of 
something magical? 

Harry remembers the knife during the Second Task and wishes he 
brought it with him, but the knife never actually comes into play. Do 
think that the knife was just mentioned as a minor detail? Or do you 
think it will be needed in a future book? (perhaps at a time where 
magic can't be used--like Harry losing his wand again or 
something? ...or maybe even against Voldemort, since Harry's wand 
malfunctions when battling him?)

Just thought the present was intriguing...

All smiles :)
Jaimee