I must not tell lies

[Geoff Bannister]

No: HPFGUIDX 88946

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Arya" <dequardo at w...> wrote:
> annemehr wrote:
> <SNIP>how important is it that Harry now carries a scar on his 
right 
> hand: "I must not tell lies?"
> Personally, I think this must have importance beyond the battle of
> wills between Harry and Umbridge.
 

Arya:  
> Just a question, but do we have canon to support the assumption the 
> quill left scars that are still visible?  We know Harry had to 
nurse 
> the wounds and such and even eased the pain with the Murlap but are 
> we just assuming there is now an indelible etching of "I must tell 
> lies" in the form of a scar or do we know this from the book?  I 
just 
> can't recall and everyone seems to always assume or know he does.  
> 

Geoff:
Although it doesn't indicate it's permanent scarring, this may be the 
clue because it's some time after the event...

"He closed the book and as he did so the firelight illuminated the 
thin white scars on the back of his hand - the result of his 
detentions with Umbridge...
'Wait a moment - there is something you can do for me, Dobby' said 
Harry slowly.
The elf looked round, beaming.
'Name it, Harry Potter, sir!'
'I need to find a place where twenty-eight people can practise 
Defence Against the Dark Arts without being discovered by any of the 
teachers. Especially,' Harry clenched his hand on the book, so that 
the scars shone pearly white, 'Professor Umbridge.'"

(OOTP "Dumbledore's Army" p.342 UK edition)