HBP Theory on Mugglenet

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 104659

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Gwen" <kailincj at m...> wrote:
> I just read a very intersting editorial on Mugglenet regarding the 
> identity of the HBP.  It brought to mind quotes from several JKR 
> interviews.
> 
> The actual editorial (in The Burrow section of Mugglenet and written 
> by Corinne), poses the theory that Dudley is the Half-Blood Prince.  
> It's quite an interesting read, but the salient points are these:
> 
> a.  Petunia is a squib

Asian_lovr2:

Petunia can't be a squib because he sister Lily was a MUGGLE-born,
meaning Lily's parents were muggles. So unless Lily and Petunia have
one or more different parents, then Petunia must be fully born to
muggle too.

However, Petunia could be a person with unrealized, latent, supressed,
or of marginal magical powers. In addition, she could even know that
she is marginally or latently magical, and that's why she fears Dudley
might be magical. Even if she doesn't have this magical
self-awareness, knowing that magic runs in her family, she could still
be worried about Dudley.


> Gewn continues:
>
> b.  She feared her child having magical powers and struck a bargain 
> with Dumbledore:  she would take Harry in if Dudley was essentially 
> stricken from the wizarding world.

Asian_lovr2:

It could be that is the reason they are so indulgent with Dudley; for
fear that if Dudley ever gets truly upset, it might release latent
magical powers the way it does with Harry. Despite their effort to
quash the magic out of Harry, I think to some extent they viewed him
as a lost cause, so they tried to punish the magic out of him rather
than indulge it out as with Dudley.

As far as striking a bargain with Dumbledore to keep Dudley away from
the magic world, I can see that happening, although I also have
several alternate scenerios as to why the Dursley's took Harry. A
promise of hard cold cash being near the top of the list. Of course,
there is no reason why it couldn't be a combination of things.

I do see rough edges around the Dudley-the Wizard theory, but at the
sametime, I can't deny the possibility.


> Gwen continues:
>
> c.  Dudley was seriously affected by the dementors.  Although Lupin 
> says that even Muggles can sense them, I had the impression that
> they would not react to the extent that Dudley did.
> 

Asian_lovr2:

I'm not sure I can support this supposition; muggles can feel
Dementors, they just can't see them. I don't think I recall any
evidence or implications that when muggles feel Dementors they feel
them any less.

> Gwen concludes:
>
> In re: the quotes I remembered, one was from a Barnes and Noble 
> interview with JKR in March 1999.  When asked what Dudley eventually 
> does with his life, JKR responds "That is a question i would love to 
> answer, but it will ruin some surprises."  Then she goes on to say 
> that Dudley's privileged existence will change for the worse in Book 
> 4 (when The Diet strikes).
> 
> The second was at a Harry Pottermania conference in Vancouver on
> Nov. 16, 2000.  JKR said:  "You should keep an eye on Dudley. It's 
> probably too late for Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon."
> 
> Check out the editorial on Mugglenet.  It's quite good.

Asian_lovr2:

This could be referring to Dudley being redeemed rather than Dudley
being magical. Dudley and Harry at least talk to each other now, and
Harry has saved Dudley's life, so the door could be opened for
improvements in their relationship. Dudley may not be magical but a
good left-hook to the jaw of a Death Eater will taken them down just
as fast as a Stunning Curse. In that sense, I could see Dudley doing
the right thing and helping Harry in a fight if the Dursley's house or
family are attacked. As a side note, for all his bluster, I don't
think Uncle Vernon would be too good in a real fight.

I'll read the editorial and see if I come up with any more thoughts.
However, at the moment, althought without evidence, I think Petunia is
most likely to be the latently magical person.

For what it's worth.

Steve/asian_lovr2