No subject

[Jesta Hijinx]

No: HPFGUIDX 59541

Hey BC:

Thanks for stepping up to the plate on this.  [The brief standard 
disclaimer, that I *do* understand that this is a work of fiction - given 
that, I shall feel free to proceed and apply my ghod-given intellect to the 
writing.  :-)]

I find I can't just let this whole question "go".  JKR, through her 
characters, makes such a big deal of this in the books:  it is an 
*extraordinarily* big question at this time in the WW.  Even if your family 
holds, like the Weasleys, that your ancestry doesn't matter; and even if 
places like Hogwarts admit on sheer talent, you're still going to run into 
people like the Malfoys to whom it *is* a big deal.  I imagine that, at 
their manor somewhere, they have the equivalent of the "family Bible" with 
their lineage inscribed back for generation

>In a message dated 6/4/2003 1:44:32 AM Eastern Standard Time, Felinia 
>writes:
>
> > Let's say that Hermione does marry Ron, eventually.  Their children, the
> > first generation, are not going to be considered purebloods by those who
> > count and care, no matter how brilliant Hermione is.  But that's 
>decidedly
> > not Hermione's fault.  She is what she is.
>
>This is the kind of thing that has been bothering me since I began reading
>the series years ago.
>
>First of all, just like all races, there are few "purebloods" these days.
>Travel and the Internet have made the world a different place than it was
>thousands of years ago. We can meet people from other countries and other
>backgrounds. I can have conversations with all of you, and I Iive in 
>Florida.
>
>So, of course, millions of people marry "outside" of their races or their
>cultural backgrounds. It's difficult to find someone who can trace back 
>very far
>without finding some varieties in his family tree. The same must be true in
>the WW.
>
Indeed.  Moreover, there must be some point, fixed or arbitrary, at which 
the WW or those within it who cared, began "counting".  We don't know when 
that is - I don't suppose it really matters.  But where *does* someone like 
Hermione, who has Muggle parents but is unquestionably a talented witch, fit 
in?  The Malfoys may sneer, but what was she supposed to do with all that 
talent but train it?  It's not the same as a situation like Seamus' mother, 
who married a Muggle knowingly and revealed her heritage once the marriage 
was accomplished (something I don't think much of, personally, but that's 
actually a minor point I need not pursue - it just is).

I would think that it would only make sense that, if she married a "pure 
wizard" like Ron, and at least one of their kids married someone with a 
"pure wizarding background" and so on, for, say, four to six generations, 
maybe at that point they'd be considered pure wizard (even assuming that 
would be possible - and from what Hagrid says, it probably wouldn't be, even 
if the randomness of falling in love were not to enter into the picture).

>It bothers me as well that Harry is considered a "halfblood." If Seamus is
>"half-and-half" (ooh -- could *he* be the death of Book 5? okay, sorry -- 
>I'm
>obsessing)

No, you're not.  :-)  See my earlier remarks about what "obsession" truly 
is.

because one of his parents is a Muggle and the other is a Witch, then
>how can Harry be the same thing? Both Lily and James were magical parents.
>Shouldn't Harry be more like a "three-quartersblood?"  :)
>
>Brief Chronicles
>
That would be my view.  Any way you look at it, it's kind of a paltry and 
mean measurement of talent and ability - and it doesn't sound like any but a 
minority within the WW really care.  I think what bothers me is that the 
majority should then be able to mount a better affirmative defense against 
Draco and his ilk when they go off.
(Question:  are Crabbe and Goyle, fine specimens of young wizard manhood 
that they are *koff!Koff!* then purebloods, if they associate with young 
Malfoy?  Could be examples of the inbreeding that's come about.  ;-))

Felinia Beauclerc
Pedant from Ravenclaw
>

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