24 hours - again

[slgazit]

No: HPFGUIDX 103254

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "a_reader2003"
<carolynwhite2 at a...> wrote:

> Well, actually, we don't know that McGonagal *was* in the original 
> Order. She was not described by Moody when he shows Harry the photo 
> of them all (Ch 9, OoP), and he seems to go through them in a lot of 
> detail. She may have taken the photograph, of course, but photography 
> hasn't come up as one of her interests yet. Like Arthur and Molly, I 
> feel there's some back history still to come out as to the reasons 
> for this.

That is true, but it proves nothing. There is no evidence that the
people that Moody described were the entire order. Harry stopped
looking after seeing his parents in the picture. There could have been
others, including people who joined after the picture was taken -
don't forget that Voldemort's reign of terror lasted more than 10
years (sorry I don't remember where it said that but I think Hagrid
quoted 11 years for that). The picture must have been taken fairly
early to depict all original members, considering the casualty rate. I
believe that the evidence for McGonagal being in the original order
and in DD's closest circle is strong starting with the first chapter
of the first book and throughout the series.

> Whilst not necessarily going for ESE!McGonagal on this slender 
> supposition, it has been widely noticed before that for some reason 
> she is not in DD's inner circle of most-trusted people. The day spent 
> on the wall at Privet Drive seems to confirm this.

Really? Who else had access to that information besides Hagrid who is
utterly loyal to DD? Proceeding on we see how in GoF the teachers who
go with DD to save Harry from Crouch Jr. are Snape and McGonagal. In
OoP she is the only Hogwarts teacher who knows of the real purpose of
Harry's "private lessons" with Snape (I don't think even Hagrid
knows). There are plenty of other examples. Like a good guerilla
leader, DD tells no one what he is up to unless he must.

> And as soon as she 
> is given something responsible to do, she 'slips up' (guarding Barty 
> Crouch Jr); maybe she didn't want him questioned about other matters.

She was taken by surprise by the Minister of Magic acting in an
illegal fashion. I doubt she had the time to intervene once it became
clear what he was doing. Fudge told her he wanted the dementor for
protection only, why would she suspect his real plan was to have the
dementor perform the kiss instead? Remember that at that point they
still thought Fudge is an ally.
 
> By OoP she's been relegated back to nothing much important, and seems 
> desperate to prove that she is loyal. Maybe another teacher with a 
> secret in her past that DD is having to work with, just like Snape, 
> but not so obvious.

In OoP the Ministry of Magic passed a series of emergency laws to
strip Hogwarts academic staff of any power whatsoever. McGonagal is
deputy Headmistress (see Hogwarts admission letter in book 1). This
usually implies a bunch of administrative responsibilities aside from
teaching classes, which she had to do in very difficult circumstances
with Umbridge breathing down her neck.

> McGonagall's anxiety on the wall at Privet Drive is 
> almost like that of a person being blackmailed, desperate to know 
> that their tormentor is dead, and their secret is safe for ever.

I can't see any evidence for suspecting McGonagal of being an evil
character, at heart or otherwise.

> Re-reading the photo chapter in OoP also reminded me of the 
> mysterious Caradoc Dearborn, who vanished 'six months after this, we 
> never found his body'. In JKR's world, I get suspicious when there is 
> no body. Wonder what he was up to.

Perhaps he is masquerading as Neville's toad? :-) If rats don't
tyipcally live longer than 3-4 years (animagi excluded), how come that
toad is still going strong after 5 years? I suspect there is more to
it than meets the eye...

Salit