The VEIL

[confusinglyso]

No: HPFGUIDX 83373

Before I outline my thoughts on the veil in the department of 
mysteries may I just say how pleased I am to have joined this group. 
The number of professionals, English Language and Literature 
teachers, writers, critics, who regularly contribute is really 
appreciated. I studied language and literature to OWL level in 1961 
then did sciences to NEWT level :(

Your analyses and theories are often so well written that I now keep 
my dictionary/thesaurus next to the computer. Although keen on 
crosswords I soon forget the definition of new words. Recent HP4GU 
words that I have had to look up :-
exegesis, explanation or critical interpretation of a text.
misanthrope, a person who distrusts other people.
hyperbole, a deliberate exaggeration. (not baseball super-league).
trope, a word or expression used in a figurative sense.

trope was totally new to me, at first I thought it was a typo to 
describe Lord of the Rings.<g>

The VEIL
        It is described as hanging from a stone arch and seems to be 
only 2 dimensional. This raises 2 questions.
 1. How does Sirius disappear if only 2 dimensional ?
 2. Where are voices coming from ?

A further crucial question is where does the idea come from that the 
veil is actually the border between life and death? Luna and maybe 
Lupin seeded this idea in Harry's mind but I do not think it is 
stated as fact in the book.

1. The veil may be simply a part of ventilation system (Department 
    of Mysteries is deep underground)
2. It may be part of joint ventilation system with Gringotts vaults.
3. The voices Harry and Luna heard are Arthur, Molly, and Bill
   Weasley. Bill works at Gringotts and the Weasleys are in the
   Gringott tunnel area preparing for Sirius' arrival (following 
   Dumbledore's plan as postulated by the T-BAY experts). Harry 
   even calls out "Ron" at one point thinking he hears his voice
   from the veil. Any canon on whether Arthur or Bill sound like Ron?
   This idea answers S & R Ranch, post 83184, who wanted to know
   where Mr and Mrs Weasley were during MoM rescue.Also a response by
   Richard in post 83357.
4. What could Fudge as head of MoM do with a secret entrance to
   Gringotts underground passages ? Maybe kidnap/kill unwary goblins.
   The Quibbler stated 'Cornelius "Goblin Crusher" Fudge has
   ambitions to sieze control of goblin gold supplies.'
5. If the lifts (elevators) stop working perhaps a sign appears on
   the arch "Emergency Exit".

I have most faith in idea 3 above. This may mean that Sirius is still 
alive but I must stress that I am ambivalent (have I used that 
correctly) about his state of health. Harry believes that Sirius died 
and his attitude and actions at the MoM and in the future require him 
to continue to believe Sirius dead until Voldemort is defeated.

Most, if not all, postees seem to agree that Sirius is truly dead, 
but purely from the book, the reader cannot be certain. The certainty 
that Sirius is dead comes from a JKR interview does it not? She cried 
when she 'killed' him. But could this emotion be not from the death 
of character Sirius but because of the effect the apparent death was 
to have on Harry. Remember Dumbledore has already put Harry through 
10 years of misery with the Dursleys so another 2 years (only we know 
it's 2 years, not DD etc <g>) for Harry believing Sirius is dead for 
the good of the PLAN is acceptable to DD but, IMHO, worse when Harry 
learns the truth than if Sirius has really died.

It is 2.30am and I have rambled too much.

Phil.

Voldemort - the self made wizard. He should have used better materials