[HPforGrownups] Re: Metamorphagi

[Helen R. Granberry]

No: HPFGUIDX 86095



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



Helen:

Hi dc :)

On fanfiction, and I'll go ahead and address it to the list because it
has to do with both canon interpretation of Harry as well as fanfiction
(which one could argue is also a canon interpretation of Harry in
fictional form). And, I also want to address the JKR quote you are
referring to.

A 'Gary Stu' in fanfiction is the male equivalent of a 'Mary Sue' in
fanfiction -- an original non-canon female character who is essentially
an avatar for the writer of the fanfic. These Mary Sues have lots of
special powers, save the day and make the heroes fall in love with them.
A Gary Stu would be the male equivalent and 'Harry Stu' in the Harry
Potter fanfiction world usually means a depiction of Harry where he is
special, super powerful, often very handsome, etc. I would argue that
Harry already is that in the canon. He *is* special. He already has
special gifts. Lots of girls do find him attractive, even if Harry is
mostly oblivious. Hence, my not having a real problem with 'Harry Stu'
in fanfiction. The two fanfics I was referring to -- and both are
wonderful stories -- are _Paradigm of Uncertainty_ (and sequels) by Lori
and _Draco Dormiens_ (and sequels) by Cassandra Claire. In both of these
stories, Harry is, well, extremely powerful and can do controlled magic
without his wand. 

Fanfiction aside, there are a lot of people who don't want to see Harry
be *too* special or *too* powerful in canon. I have seen this in
discussions not related to fanfiction at all. Even using the fanfiction
term 'Harry Stu' to describe Harry if he were to be the Heir of
Gryffindor, a Metamorhmagus, do wandless magic, etc. The fact of the
matter is -- Harry *is* special. I would never knock a theory for making
Harry too special. He is the hero of the books. He is destined to defeat
Voldemort. He is special and important, whether he is any of those other
things or not. 

Now... as for the JKR quote you are talking about... she is very, very
specific whereas the interviewer is not:


SB: We’re going to take a few more questions, and um, the next one is
will Harry ever turn into a shape-changer like his father?

JKR: Animagus. No, Harry’s not in training to be an animagus, and if
you’ve read book three, you won’t know – um, that’s a wizard that’s
very, very difficult to do. They learn to turn themselves into animals.
No, Harry is not, Harry is going to be concentrated elsewhere, he’s not
going to have time to do that. He’s got quite a full agenda coming up,
poor boy.

She doesn't say 'no, he won't be a shape changer'. She says 'Animagus.
No..." Becoming an Animagus *is* a very difficult thing to do. However,
if Harry is a Metamorphmagus, he simply is one. He may need direction in
terms of learning to use the skill, but 'Metamorphmagi are born, not
made'. 

Personally, I think that particular quote supports Harry being a
Metamorphmagus because of the way she corrects the interviewer and makes
it very clear what she is saying no to. She doesn't say 'no, he's not
going to be a shape shifter' she says 'Animagus' (what James does).


Helen, who really, really thinks Harry is a Metamorphmagus in canon :)