[HPforGrownups] Harry & Hermione Siblings?

[Penny Linsenmayer]

No: HPFGUIDX 53483

Hi --

I said:

<<<<But, let's say you don't trust Dumbledore.  How does Hermione's birthdate (Sept > 19th ......either 1979 or 1980) play into this scenario?  Keep in mind that > Harry was born 31 July 1980.   You'd have to assume that Hermione was born in > Sept 1979, and that Lily was pregnant again scarcely 6 weeks later.  Not impossible........but ......er.........not all that likely really.>>>

Taryn responded:

> Actually, don't females have a few months after a birth when they can't become > pregnant? Unless Diana Gabaldon has led me astray in her novels! ;) Correct me > if I'm wrong, though.

Well, don't forget that Gabaldon's character is *nursing*.  In many (though not *all* -- NOT reliable birth control) of nursing mothers, fertility doesn't kick in during the duration of the nursing (hence why nursing children for 2-3 yrs or even longer is seen in some cultures).  Richelle is right -- Lily could have become pregnant again within 6 weeks, though it's not at all likely in any case and certainly not if she was nursing.  

The other argument against Harry and Hermione being siblings in my mind is the complete lack of genetic make-up between the two of them, more particularly the fact that Hermione bears no resemblance to what we know about James and Lily.  Lots of people have unruly hair.  <g>  Rowling has gone out of her way to show family resemblances though.  Harry looks exactly like James, except for his eyes, which clearly come from his mother.  His appearance is easily explained with reference to his biological parents.  In the Weasley family, we learn in GoF that Bill, Percy and Ron are built like Arthur, while Charlie and the Twins are more like Molly.  

Penny

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