Gilderoy/Errol/InvisibilityCloak/6thYearQuidditch/CharmsClub/CalmPotion/Nott

[Catlady (Rita Prince Winston)]

No: HPFGUIDX 91409

I seem to recall recent mention of "Wizard Baruffio, who said 's'
instead of 'f' and found himself on the floor with a buffalo on his
chest." I just now noticed that one of the fraudulent aids for OWL
preparation mentioned in OoP is "the bottle of Baruffio's Brain Elixir
offered to [Harry and Ron] by Ravenclaw sixth year Eddie Carmichael". 
 
Siriusly Snapey Susan wrote in
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/91151 :

<< given a) that JKR said [Gilderoy Lockhart] is "an exaggeration 
of someone [she] once knew" [purportedly someone she met at a book
show?] >>

Someone suggested that GL was based on her ex-husband.

Carol wrote in http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPfor
Grownups/message/91165 :

<< Even Errol could do it, though he'd choose to fly into a closed
window just because he's Errol. >>

Movie contamination! That movie really *libelled* poor Errol! In the
book, he was NOT a klutz: he flew slowly and collapsed from exhaustion
upon arrival *because he was too old*. He should have been retired
(used to carry notes just from room to room at the Burrow) but the
Weasleys didn't have money to buy a replacement owl. 

To me, continuing to use Errol is different from continuing to drive
an old worn-out break-down car, because an owl is a living being who
can feel pain, so continuing to work him past his strength is a form
of cruelty to animals, which I hate to think of the dear Weasleys
doing. 

LizVega wrote in
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/91259 :

<<  After Harry and Co. return from the Chamber of Secrets, doesn't 
DD tell Ron to send a letter for Hagrid's release?  >>

I think any involvement of Ron is more movie contamination. It's the
chapter called "Dobby's Reward" in CoS, where Harry and Co find
Dumbledore and the Weasley parents in McGonagall's office. Dumbledore
has gotten rid of everyone else (Mr and Mrs Weasley to take Ginny to
hospital wing, McGonagall to the kitchen to order up a feast, Ron to
take the amnesiac Lockhart to hospital wing) and had a heart-to-heart
with Harry before this bit: 

<<"What you need, Harry, is some food and sleep. I suggest you go down
to the feast, while I write to Azkaban -- we need our gamekeeper
back. And I must draft an advertisement for the Daily Prophet, too,"
he added thoughtfully. "We'll be needing a new Defense Against the
Dark Arts teacher... Dear me, we do seem to run through them, don't
we?"

Harry got up and crossed to the door. He had just reached for the
handle, however, when the door burst open so violently that it bounced
back off the wall.

Lucius Malfoy stood there, fury in his face. And cowering behind his
legs, heavily wrapped in bandages, was Dobby.>>

Elihu wrote in http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPfor
Grownups/message/91177 :

<< James had to buy a cloak of invisibily. >>

<< Q: Where did James get his Invisibility Cloak? 
JKR: That was inherited from his own father -- a family heirloom! >>
from an interview at
http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/quickquotes/arti
cles/2000/1000-livechat-aol.html
which can be found by using The Goat Pad to search for "Invisibility":
http://www.angelfire.com/magic/aberforthsgoat/index.html

Sue wrote in http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGr
ownups/message/91285 

<< I am wondering whether Ron will remain Keeper, he may want to be a
chaser as well. He always had to keep when his brothers practiced,
but that doesn't mean he wouldn't choose something else given the
opportunity. (snip) far as the Captain job, I would like to see Harry
do it too, but I think he will have bigger fish to fry and the job
will go to Ron. >>

Personally, I think Ron was *made* to be a Keeper. He's always
described as exceptionally tall with long arms and legs: that sounds
perfect for stretching to block that Quaffle. His physical type takes
after Arthur, Bill, and Percy; I like to fantasize that Arthur was
Keeper and Molly was Seeker when they were in school together. 

Anyway, I really want Ron to be the captain. It means more to him 
that it would to Harry. For the same reason, I want Ron to be Head 
Boy (with Hermione as Head Girl). 

JDR wrote in http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGr
ownups/message/91295 

<<Do English schools have academic clubs like we do here in the US?>>

Apparently yes: OoP, chapter "Detention with Dolores", when Ron
celebrates being chosen as Keeper. Angelina told Harry that "Vicky
Frobisher and Geoffrey  Hooper both flew better this evening, but ...
Vicky's involved in all sorts of Societies, she admitted herself that
if training clashed with her Charm Club she'd put Charms first."

Jen wrote in  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforG
rownups/message/91296 :

<< Does the WW consider a potion like the Draught of Peace the
equivalent of modern-day Valium, and thus only used if prescibed?
Actually, I guess the Calming Potion Hannah Abbott gets from Madam
Pomfrey would be more like a tranquilizer. >>

I wondered if the Calming Potion (I've been leafing thru OoP almost an
hour and not been able to find it to check its name) is the same as
the Draught of Peace potion? So the students would be able to make
their own instead of going to Madam Pomfrey.

Carol wrote in http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPfor
Grownups/message/91367 :

<< But JKR has specifically mentioned Theodore Nott in OoP--*and* his
father (who was in the graveyard in GoF and the DoM in OoP, making a
singularly unimpressive, almost pitiable, showing in both cases. This
man, like a much older Regulus Black, is in too deep and can't get
out. So I hope the complex/good Slytherin is Theo, who somehow finds a
way to rescue poor old dad. >>

I got an impression in GoF that Deatheater Nott was elderly, so I
thought maybe he is Theodore Nott's grandfather rather than father
(maybe he stayed out of Azkaban by turning in his son (Theo's
father)). In GoF, I thought he was an accomplished flatterer, using
(big) words to avoid being Crucio'ed like Avery: "The same goes for
you, Nott," said Voldemort quietly, as he walked past a stooped figure
in Mr Goyle's shadow. "My Lord, I prostrate myself before you, I
am
your most faithful --" "That will do," said Voldemort." 

JuHu wondered in
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/91402 :

<< why DD or Snape would ever hand Malfoy more bullying power >>

Snape choosing someone other than Draco as prefect would contradict
his history of favoritism to Draco. If the favoritism is faked to get
on Lucius Malfoy's good side and appear to be a truly Voldemortian
respecter of the superiority of pure blood, then he can't afford to
stop it now.