It may be M.A.D. but it's mine

[grannybat84112]

No: HPFGUIDX 85917

Dooda bravely surfaced with a new, really cool theory:
> 
> I got to thinking about Mrs. Figg and who she was before she 
married. ...how did she become a part of the Old Crowd? Since she is 
a squib, she didn't attend Hogwarts, but obviously knows Dumbledore 
and has a significant position of trust.
> 
> Why would she be a member of the Order in the first place? Being a 
squib all she can do is blend in with the muggles. A witch or wizard 
who's taken muggle studies could be used for that. She wasn't useful 
when Harry got attacked by the Dementors. She didn't have a way to 
contact The Order until Dung came back. Yes, she communicates with 
her cats, and she uses them as spies, yet they can't do magic either. 
> 
> Introducing my M.A.D. theory. Miss Arabella Dumbledore.  
> 
> It would make sense if she were Dumbledore's little sister. 
Consider their names. We have Albus, Aberforth, and now Arabella. ... 
* And * Harry says she's a "mad old lady."  :o)  (ss/ps pg 22 
scholastic).

"He's a genius! But he is a bit mad, yes."

I love this. Not only does it give big-brother Albus a personal 
investment in the progressive, Muggle-friendly ideals to which he's 
committed, but this theory supports my idea that Arabella Figg will 
become Harry's summertime source for information about the Magical 
world. After that deadly fiasco in the Dept. of Mysteries, it's 
unlikely that Dumbledore will again chose to leave Harry in the dark 
about strategic decisions that affect Harry personally. Dumbledore 
can't afford to spend all his time until September 1 keeping Harry 
updated on the state of his war tactics, let alone explaining the 
past; that job is most easily given to the person who's already 
stationed nearest to Privet Drive.

>From my first read of OOP I've strongly suspected that Harry will be 
spending a lot of teatime at Mrs. Figg's house in the initial 
chapters of Book 6...and that she will not only tell him a great deal 
about her brother's involvement with the Potters, but she will also 
impart to Harry some very unpleasant truths about how Squibs are 
treated in Magical society.

Grannybat