Time-turning as literary device (was: Just a comment about Lupin's malady)

[Brenda M.]

No: HPFGUIDX 109611

> SSSusan:
> I guess my question is, are you *hypothesizing* that 
> the rule isn't an absolute necessity?  (That "they're more like 
> guidelines," to draw a phrase from Pirates of the Caribbean.)  


Brenda now:

Nice example, SSSusan!!  Love that movie! ["Wedding! I love weddings! 
Drinks all around!"]

Great analogy with Schroedinger's cat, Eleanor!!  But it can be 
extended even further to *any* elements of literature that we don't 
know everything about.  Plot, time-line, characterization, etc.  That 
is precisely *why* we have ESE! and conspiracy theories running wild -
- whatever is not told in canon are "fluid".  Sure, we can draw logic 
from what we know to fill in the gap, but just look at how Peter 
fooled WW for 12 years.

But my thoughts on "you must not be seen" during time-turning: IMO it 
IS more like a guideline, especially to a first-time user.  Imagine, 
if Hermione bumped into herself, would she necessarily jump to 
conclusion that it was some dark arts and alarm herself?  My bet is 
that she would at least pause to consider the possibility of it being 
her future self.  She is smart enough to figure that out, especially 
after having used it all throughout the term.  Harry in PoA has no 
idea time-turners even exist, so if he saw himself then things will 
go weary.  Same with Dumbledore -- if he indeed time-travelled many 
times as some suspects, then even if he saw himself he might think 
that it is another replica of him.  Which can be potentially 
dangerous if it *was* a result of dark arts.

Brenda