Dangerous Magical Objects (WAS: when does something think for itself?)

[Phyllis]

No: HPFGUIDX 58983

Finwitch wrote:

> Well, let's take another matter: "never trust anything that can 
> think for itself unless you can see where it keeps it's brain" - I 
> suppose this stone-dog calls for something that can't think for 
> itself - unlike the Diary!Riddle. I suppose talking mirrors, 
> Marauder's Map etc. don't, either... (any more than the chocolate 
> frog is real...)

Now me:

I actually do think the Marauder's Map is an object that "thinks for 
itself."  Harry even calls to mind Arthur Weasley's admonition when 
Fred and George first give it to him.  The Map *has* to think for 
itself - how else would it be able to know that Harry wanted to 
access the hump-backed witch tunnel but didn't know how to open the 
entrance?  How else would it be able to know that Snape has a large 
nose and greasy hair?

I've actually been giving this a lot of thought lately.  The objects 
that can "think for themselves" IMO include the Sorting Hat, Riddle's 
diary and the Marauder's Map.  We know from canon that the Hogwarts 
founders put their brains into the Sorting Hat (as the Hat 
sings: "The founders put some brains in me" GoF, Ch. 12).  Perhaps 
that's what happened with Riddle's diary and the Marauder's Map as 
well?  Perhaps there is some magical way to import your brains into a 
diary or a map so it will last after you are dead or vaporized?

Since JKR has said the Sorting Hat will be taking on an expanded role 
in future books, I wonder if other objects that think for themselves 
(such as the Marauder's Map) will as well.  Perhaps the Map will be a 
source of knowledge for Harry about his father?  I can only hope.

~Phyllis