Metamorphagi

[dcyasser]

No: HPFGUIDX 86062

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Helen R. Granberry" 
<helen at o...> wrote:
> 
> Metamorphmagus!Harry and Harry Stu
 
<Some SNIPS>
> I've received a few complaints, or rather, a few concerns about 
the fact that I write Harry as a Metamorphmagus post-OotP. I have 
seen quite a few messages on various HP boards and on HP4GU saying 
that Harry shouldn't be one, that it makes him a Gary Stu, yadda, 
yadda, yadda.
> 
> Anyway, despite being quite fond of Harry Stu as a fanon cliché 
(let's not forget, two of the most popular fics in the fandom 
feature blatant Harry Stu's *cough* wandless magic *cough*), I don't 
think it is Harry Stu-ism at all. In fact, I think there is some 
pretty strong canon evidence that Harry *is* a Metamorphmagus, and 
the whole purpose of Tonks as a character is to introduce that 
magical ability (well, that,and to teach young Harry the ways of the 
world -- thanks Jo!). 
<SNIP>
> 
>ETA In the scene where Tonks is explaining to Harry about 
Metamorphmagi,JKR interrupts her with 'we've got to pack'. She never 
finishes explaining how it is discovered or really anything else 
about the ability (extent someone can change, etc.). This is a 
classic JKR diversionary tactic. She needs to lay a clue, but she 
can't give away too much, so she interrupts the flow and diverts the 
reader's attention elsewhere (in this case, packing).


dc: 
UM, OK, I'm willing to expose my naivete in order to get some 
information.  I see no problem with fanfics taking forward a 
Metamorphmagus!Harry based on canon; you're certainly on target with 
the JKR-interruption-theory that something is important about it.  
(Although didn't JKR say somewhere, and I absolutely can't source 
this, that Harry would not be a Metamorphmagus?)
My question is, why is this theory frowned upon, and why is it 
frowned upon to further speculate (in the guise of fanfic, which I 
think is a variation on theoretic posts) on wandless magic Harry?  I 
know posters elsewhere and sometimes here can become very possessive 
about their interpretation of canon. Let's face it, they can become 
possessive of Harry himself.  So can you please explain to me, 
offline if it is inappropriate to the conversation here, um, just 
what is a Harry Stu, as in *cough* wandless magic *cough*, and who 
among us designates it so? 

dc