the Lovegoods

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 88468

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "smtopliff" <topfor at a...> wrote:
> I see that the Diggorys and the Lovegoods live near one another--..., 
> Mr. Diggory replied to Arthur's query as to whether or not there were 
> any other nearby wizards travelling by that Portkey that "No, the
>  Lovegoods have been there for a week already"...  So, if they reside
> near one another why did Ron not realize who Luna was?  ..edited...


bboy_mn:

Let's expand the quotation from that part of GoF, that way we can
address your question and a problem that has been bothering me for a
while. 

- - - Quote: GoF Am Ed HB pg 72 - - -

"Long walk, Arthur?" Cedri's father asked.

"Not too bad," said Mr. Weasley. "We live just on the other side of
the village there. You?"

--- pause quote ---


Mr. Diggory and Mr. Weasley don't seem to know exactly were the other
lives.


--- quote continues - Mr. Diggory replies ---

"Had to get up at TWO, didn't we, Ced? I tell you, I'll be glad when
he's got his Apparition test. Still... not complaining... Quidditch
World Cup, wouldn't miss it for a sackful of Galleons -- and the
tickets cost about that. Mind you, looks like I got off easy..." Amos
Diggory peered good-naturedly around at the three Weasley boys, Harry,
Hermione, and Ginny. "All these yours, Arthur?"

---- pause quote ----


Cedric and his father Amos had to get up at 2am. I had assumed Harry
and the Weasleys got up at the "crack of dawn" which would imply about
 6am. The Weasleys ate breakfast and walked to the top of Stoatshead
Hill; my guess is that the conversation at the top of the hill took
place about 7:30am or more likely 8:00am. 

HOWEVER, when they arrive at the World Cup, the Ministry wizard
announces their arrival as "...Seven past five from Stoatshead
Hill..." (pg 74).

That means I'm force to re-evaluate my timeline. I assumed they got up
at 6am and arrived at 8am, backing this up in time to fit the arrival
announcement. To leave the hill at 5am, they would have had to get up
at about 3am, or possibly earlier.

What am I getting at? It seems from the conversation that the Diggorys
had much farther to go than the Weasley's, but from an analysis of the
timeline, they appear to have had less than an hours difference in
travel time. A man walks at about 3 miles per hour, however, the
progress up the steep slope of Stoatshead Hill seemed very slow and
it's unlikely that they moved at 3mph. Conclusion; Diggory's can't
live more than about 3 miles farther away than the Weasleys.

Given that the Weasleys walked from one side of the village to the
other and the Diggorys make no mention of the village, they can't
possibly live more than 6 or 7 miles apart. That is, unless someone
can explain to me some method other than walking that the Diggorys
used to get to the hill. 

I find this inconsistency far stranger than the Fawcets or the Lovegoods.


--- quote continues on pg 73 ---

...Mr. Weasley pulling out his watch again. "Do you know whether we're
waiting for any more, Amos?"

"No, the Lovegoods have been ther for a week already and the Fawcetts
couldn't get tickets," said Mr. Diggory. "There aren't any more of us
in this area, are there?"

"Not that I know of," said Mr. Weasley. "Yes, it's a minute off...
We'd better get ready...."

- - - End Quote - - -

Now regarding the Fawcetts, the Lovegoods, and your original question. 

Why doesn't Ron realize who Luna is? 

At this point Harry and Ron have been at the school with these
students for five years, and there are many students that neither of
them know. They have had class with Slytherins since the beginning,
but there are Slytherins in their Care of Magical Creatures class
who's name Harry doesn't know. It seems reasonable that both Harry and
Ron are familiar with these students, they are students they have seen
in school and at Diagon Alley when everyone is buying their books and
supplies, but never have had an opportunity to socialize with them in
any way, they are not familiar with their names.

Ron may recognise Luna, who is in a different year and a different
house, but never had occassion to talk to her or talk about her. Ron
would probably only know Luna if the Lovegood and the Weasley had
known each other socially. If the families had mixed, then Ron would
have been familiar with her.

I will also note that the Weasleys live on a farm. Most kids who live
on a farm, especially if they come from big families, learn how to
entertain themselves. They don't necessarily mix that much outside of
school because the distance is too great. When Ron and Ginny were
small (pre-school) they had brothers to play with on the farm, and
when the brothers were off to school they had each other to play with,
and a great big safe countryside as their playground.

Other points, we can reasonably assume that the Lovegoods who live
/somewhat/ near Ottery St. Catchpole are related to Luna, but they
aren't necessarily her parents; could be grandparents, or aunt/uncle.
So knowing these Lovegoods wouldn't necessarily mean that Ron would
know /those/ Lovegoods. 

In a way though, distance doesn't mean much to wizards. Even underage
wizards via Floo can travel hundreds of mile before we could even get
out to the garage and get our car started. So close or far, Ron would
not know other wizards and their kids well unless the Weasley
socialized with them in some fashion. This ease of traveling hundreds
of miles effortlessly, can just as easily be isolating as bringing
wizards closer together.

Just a few thoughts; though to what point I'm not sure.

bboy_mn