OOP Spoilers: Seeing creatures

[Richelle Votaw]

No: HPFGUIDX 62567

I'm not sure if I'm supposed to be leaving spoiler space or not, but I'll do it anyway.

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Okay, back to these Thestrals.  I think I've had another idea.  The Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them book, while it does mention Thestrals, doesn't mention anything about who can or can't see them.  (grr!)  We have, not Hagrid, but Hermione's word that "The only people who can see thestrals are people who have seen death."  Hagrid says she's right, later mentions they have a bad reputation because of "the death thing" but doesn't go into further detail.  Now, there's a Flint either way, in my opinion, but couldn't that have two meanings?  "seen death" could mean they saw someone die.  Or "seen death" could mean they have been in mortal danger and survived.  Harry's done both.  What about Luna, could she have been in danger too from the accident her mother died in?  We know nothing about why the Slytherin boy could see them.  And Neville--could he have faced death as well?

The thing is, there is a Flint no matter how I look at it.  Harry hasn't SEEN anyone die.  Well, he has now--Sirius.  But before that.  He may well have not seen, only heard his mother die. He had his eyes closed when Cedric died.  All he saw was the flash of green *through his eyelids*.  He heard Cedric's body hit the ground, then opened his eyes and saw Cedric dead.

But, then, didn't he face death when Voldemort's AK failed?  Or was this not really facing death, as it was part of Voldemort fulfilling the prophecy--marking him as equal?  Moving on later in SS/PS, Quirrell and the broom--but Snape was helping him.  Still, he certainly faced death facing Quirrellmort, right?  Or not, because of his mother's protection? And Dumbledore was on his way.  Moving along, what about the Chamber of Secrets?  That Basilisk venom wasn't any fun. But, then, Fawkes was on his way too.  And got there in time.  Prisoner of Azkaban--the Dementors at the Quidditch match--Dumbledore was there to stop his fall.  The Shrieking Shack--Sirius wasn't really planning on killing him.  When the dementors came, wasn't he about to be kissed by them?  Or not, since his time turned self was there to save them.  Goblet of Fire--facing Voldemort in the graveyard.  Surely he was in mortal danger that time.  Was he?  Or not?  Surely he was, but then, there was that priori incantatum thing that happened just in time.  Hmm.

Moving on to OoP (oh, how long I've waited to say that!), Privet Drive. Dementors come.  No one, and I mean no one is there to save Harry except Harry.  But was he that close to death?  I suppose if he hadn't been able to summon the patronus both he and Dudley would have been goners.

I admit, even I find it hard to buy into that bunch of gibberish I've just said, so if I can't convince myself I don't expect to convince anyone else. :)  However, it was the only way I could come up with to not have a Flint.  But I think it's much more likely there is a Flint.  Or two.  At least.  (i.e. Harry's eyes should not have been closed when Cedric died AND he should have seen the thestrals at the end of GoF).

Richelle


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