Squibs, Wizards, Witches and Warlocks

[darrin_burnett]

No: HPFGUIDX 58599

Angie wrote:

> 
> Fudge: "Dumbledore told {James and Lily} that their best chance was 
> the Fidelius Charm." "How does that work?" said Madame Rosmerta, 
> breathless with interest.<End Quote>
> 
> To me it seems that if Rosmerta was a witch she would already know 
> about how the Fidelus Charm worked.


Not necessarily. I don't know if we can assume that every witch and wizard 
knows every single spell or charm, particularly one that seems as difficult as 
the Fidelius charm. 

Let's of course remember that Madame Rosmerta is a wonderful foil to explain 
plot points to.

 
> On page 151, we hear Rosemerta say "I remember {Black} when he was a 
> boy at Hogwarts."  
> 
> And on pages 151 and 152 we get McGonagall: "Do you remember who his 
> best friend was?" "Naturally," said Madam Rosmerta, with a small 
> laugh. "Never saw one without the other, did you? The number of times 
> I had them in here - oooh, they used to make me laugh. Quite the 
double act, Sirius Black and James Potter!" 
 > The above statement indicates that she was already tending bar when 
> Black and James Potter were attending Hogwarts, so she is older than 
> them. Combined with the physical description of a younger woman, 
> which could indicate the slower aging process, and a demonstrated 
> lack of advanced magical knowledge, I present my theory that Madame 
> Rosmerta is perhaps a squib working in the wizarding world.

Sure, but in the U.S, we have bartenders that are 21. 

Say she was in her early 20s. The difference between Sirius and James' third-
year, the earliest they would have been allowed to go to Hogsmeade and 
meet Mdme. Rosmerta -- and POA is about 15-20 years. PoA takes place in 
1993, and I believe Black and James graduated in 1978 or 1979. That makes 
their third year 1974 or 1975, so about 18 years difference.

That would put her in her late 30s.

And it doesn't not necessarily follow that she was there when they hit third-
year. She could have started working in their sixth- or seven-year, which 
would put her in her mid-30s -- still very babalicious years.

It's entirely possible she's a squib. Canon certainly doesn't say otherwise.

But I don't think it says much in the other direction either.

Darrin
-- Babalicious Bar Wenches from Babylon. The next great boy band.