Harry, heirs and blood

[bluesqueak]

No: HPFGUIDX 58177

I actually think it more likely that Arthur Weasley is the heir of  
Gryffindor,not Harry. The Weasley family's given names are all 
either based on Arthurian legend or on names used by the British 
Royal Family. It suggests that, like the Malfoys, they're 
wizarding 'royalty'.

[The Malfoy's also have 'royal' names. Lucius brings to mind  
the 'Prince of Darkness' and Draco connects with 'Pendragon'.]

This is in keeping with the 'choices, rather than abilities' theme 
throughout the books so far. Tom Riddle *chose* to be the Heir of 
Slytherin. JKR is very insistent that he descends from Slytherin via 
the female line; this suggests that while he may have Slytherin's 
blood, he may not be the legitimate Heir of Slytherin (and yes, the 
pun is deliberate. Sorry.)

Equally, Harry has made a series of choices throughout the book. He 
has chosen to be a Gryffindor, chosen to fight Voldemort, chosen to  
return evil with good, chosen to remain a wizard. Harry is going 
through a 'growing-up' process where he chooses to be Gryffindor's 
spiritual heir. 

Tom Riddle went through a growing-up process where he chose to be 
Slytherin's spiritual heir. Or, since we won't know what Slytherin 
truly was until  - well, maybe the next book [grin], maybe we'll 
find that the real Salazar Slytherin would have despised his remote 
descendent.

Blood versus choices. Perhaps Harry, with no bloodline, is the true  
heir to Gryffindor (over his friend Ron, who has the bloodline). Tom 
Riddle, with the bloodline, is the false heir to Slytherin.

Pip!Squeak