Time travel theories in HP (was: POA Prongs Patronus, for Alina and Yuiren)

[nkafkafi]

No: HPFGUIDX 100512

> Rebecca: 
> Okay, time travel works many different ways in
> fiction.  One thing that is common (but not universal)
> about time travel is that sometime the consequences of
> an action can be seen before the action is taken.
> 
> HP seems to operate in a time travel set of rules
> (rules DD says Hermione and Harry must abide by) that
> prevent paradox.  So generallly they operate under the
> "it did happen so it will happen" theory.
> 
> If HH had not gone back then none of the events from
> earlier in the book would have occurred as they did.

Neri:
Actually, it is not certain at all the JKR uses the theory of "no 
changing the past; no paradox". In PoA (the book, as opposed to the 
movie) Hermione is very afraid of changing the past. Now why would 
she be so afraid of it if it's impossible? Hermione claims that one 
of the most important wizarding laws is "Nobody's supposed to change 
time", and that Prof. McGonagall told her that wizards that tried 
it "ended up killing their past or future selves by mistake". 
According to the time travel theory above, it is indeed possible to 
kill your future self, but it is most certainly impossible to kill 
your PAST self. This is changing the past and leads to a terrible 
paradox. So who got it wrong? Did McGonagall mislead Hermione on 
purpose? Or did Hermione fail to understand her (a very rare event)? 
Or did JKR have another Flint? Or maybe it IS possible (although 
forbidden by law) to change the past in the Potterverse?

"For details, see my published work:" 

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/88636

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/88794

(posts 88636 and 88794 if the links don't work)



Neri