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

[justcarol67]

No: HPFGUIDX 86074

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "mt3t3l1" <mt3t3l1 at y...> wrote:
>  
> > 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. 
> Now, before you start posting about how weak that is, remember the 
> Lucius/Lupin connection Pippin came up with, and the missing "D" 
> child of the Weasley's. * And * Harry says she's a "mad old 
> lady."  :o)  (ss/ps pg 22 scholastic).
> > 
> >  
> > 
> > So there you have it, do with it what you will, but be gentle, this 
> is my first theory.  
> > 
> 
> May I offer as an alternate theory, Arabella McGonagall?
> 
> In SS Chapter 14 and PoA Chapter 13, McGonagall appears in a tartan 
> bathrobe/dressing gown. In OoP Chapter 1, Mrs. Figg appears in tartan 
> carpet slippers.
> 
> Minerva was the Roman goddess of war. There are many possible 
> meanings for "ara" and "bella" but two are "altar" and "war."
> 
> Just thought I'd throw that out there.
> 
> 3T3

Carol: 
Although I'd like to subscribe to the Dumbledore's little sister
theory, I think the tartan slippers and her approximate age do suggest
a McGonagall connection instead.

Also Arabella may somehow prove to be the nemesis of the other Bella,
Bellatrix. Although "bella" in Arabella could suggest "beautiful," it
clearly suggests "battle" or "war" in Bellatrix, which means roughly
"woman who wages war" or "woman warrior." (The Lexicon points out that
Bellatrix is also the Amazon star in Orion, making it an apt
astronomical name for a Black.) I tend to think that "bella" also
suggests battle in Arabella simply because it makes sense to use the
same meaning in both names. (Doreen, according to my dictionary, means
"serious." So maybe we can expect some "serious" magic "at an advanced
age" (to loosely quote a JKR interview) from Arabella Doreen Figg,
mistakenly brushed aside by the WW as a squib. I knew there was a
reason for not revealing her maiden name, which I'm now firmly
convinced is McGonagall.

Carol