Chat response - link to script included

[davewitley]

No: HPFGUIDX 92029

This is my initial response to the chat.  There is plenty to say 
about many of the questions I have deleted, too, but others will say 
it better, or with more proprietorial interest.  I hope to deal with 
the 'central mystery' topic separately; meanwhile, I have mentioned 
it on OTC.

I took the script from ever-vigilant The Leaky Cauldron (TLC):

http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/JKRWorldBookDay2004.html .

Note: TLC have updates the script since the one I copied; my version 
is in reverse time order, I believe.

> miggs: Is there going to be a new minister of magic in the next 
books? 
> 
> JK Rowling replies -> Yes. Ha! Finally, a concrete bit of 
information, I hear you cry!

Yes, indeed.  If the Goblins don't get him, the Heliopaths will.

> Damaged: Will Winky ever recover? 
> 
> JK Rowling replies -> Poor Winky. . . she'll never be entirely 
cured of her Butterbeer addiction, I'm afraid.

Some hope, then.  I wouldn't like for JKR just to abandon her.
 
> Tanya J Potter: If you could change anything about Harry Potter 
what would it be? 
> 
> JK Rowling replies -> There are loads of things I would change. I 
don't think any writer is ever completely happy with what they've 
written. One of these days - once seven is finished - I'll revise all 
seven books.

NOOO!

> Cookie246122: Why did you kill Sirius? It made me very sad :( 
> 
> JK Rowling replies -> I'm really, really sorry. I didn't want to do 
it, but there was a reason. If you think you can forgive me, keep 
reading, you'll find out. [I feel really guilty now].
 
Oho - there's more than we have already? Does she mean in terms of 
plot or theme?

> gazza: will harry become head master of hogwarts 
> 
> JK Rowling replies -> I'm not sure I can see Harry in an academic 
career, he's seen so much action! 

Oh, does he survive, then, Jo?

> Class A. G: Did you base Voldermort on any real people? If so are 
you related to them?! 
> 
> JK Rowling replies -> lol No I didn't base Voldemort on any real 
person! 

Sorry, Cuaron!
 
> novell: I find moaning myrtle is the saddest character in your 
books, inspiring a mixture of revulsion and pity. Does she play any 
further part? 
> 
> JK Rowling replies -> You do see her again. Don't you like her? I 
know she's a bit revolting, but that's why I'm so fond of her.
> 
Yay!
> 
> class 14: If you were a animagus which animal would you be? and 
why? 
> 
> JK Rowling replies -> I gave Hermione my idea animagus, because 
it's my favourite animal. You'll find the answer in the Room of 
Requirement, Order of the Phoenix! 

Animagus = Patronus?  And an admission of Mary-Sue-ism.

> Luisa: How old are Charlie and Bill Weasley in relation to their 
other siblings? 
> 
> JK Rowling replies -> Oh dear, maths. Let me think. Bill is two 
years older than Charlie, who is two years older than Percy.

That's put the cat among the pigeons.  Oh dear.
> 
> Adele: Who are the two "unknown Gryffindor girls" in Harry's year? 
> 
> JK Rowling replies -> Oh, I've just understood what you mean. I 
haven't got the notebook to hand and I can't remember! That's 
terrible. I'll try and remember before the end of the chat! 

So they exist but aren't important.  I suggest we name them Mary and 
Sue.

> Josh from Cottenham Village College: Right at the beginning, when 
Voldermort tried to kill Harry, how did Voldermort and Harry both 
survive? 
> 
> JK Rowling replies -> That is the crucial and central question and 
if I answered it there would be hardly any point writing books six 
and seven. . .
> so I won't!

So there is a mystery to Voldemort's survival.  I'm pleased to learn 
that his uncertainty in the resurrection scene is, indeed, a clue.  I 
think it relates to the birth question, below.

> Echo: Was Percy acting entirely of his own accord in Order of the 
Phoenix? 
> 
> JK Rowling replies -> I'm afraid so.

but could still be a double agent...
 
> Cathedral: Don't want to rune the ending, but will we be finding 
out more about the significance of the shape of Harry's scar in 
future books? 
> 
> JK Rowling replies -> The shape is not the most significant aspect 
of that scar, and that's all I'm going to say! 

Hee.
 
> Arianna: Can we believe everything the sorting hat says? 
> 
> JK Rowling replies -> The Sorting Hat is certainly sincere.

but not nec essarily correct.  OK.
> 
> mnich: Was Voldemort born evil? 
> 
> JK Rowling replies -> I don't believe that anybody was born evil. 
You will find out more about the circumstances of his birth in the 
next book.
> 
Aha - a clue demanding a post in itself.  And the emphasis on 
choices, of course.
> 
> Calliope: Are the Muggle and Magical worlds ever going to be 
rejoined? 
> 
> JK Rowling replies -> No, the breach was final, although as book 
six shows, the Muggles are noticing more and more odd happenings now 
that Voldemort's back.

This rules out a whole raft of redemption scenarios.  The Sorting 
Hat's push for unity stops short at the 4 houses.

> --- kylie: Thanks for writing such wonderful books, Ms Rowling :). 
Just one question: What are Ron, Hermione and Ginny's middle names? 
Thank you :)
> 
> JK Rowling replies -> My pleasure:) Middle names: Ginny is Molly, 
of course, Hermione 'Jane' and Ron, poor boy, is Bilius.

So Bill's middle name is Arthur... 

>Stacey, 11 from Plymouth: If you got the chance to make a Polyjuice 
Potion, who would you be and why? And what would you do in the hour 
time limit? 
> 
> JK Rowling replies -> I'd like to be Tony Blair for an hour. I'd 
call a press conference and announce all the policies I'd like to 
implement!

Interesting impulse.  Very Hermione-like, IMO.

> Kelpie_8: Will the two way mirror Sirius gave Harry ever show up 
again? 
> 
> JK Rowling replies -> Ooooo good question. There's your answer.
> 
A visit through the veil - or just chatting to Ron?

> Rita: Whatever happend to Sirius' flying motorbike?
> 
> JK Rowling replies -> Ah, good question. You'll find out, but the 
real sleuths among you might be able to guess.
> 
Interesting...  Theories?

> Cathedral: Will we be hearing anything from Sirius Black's brother, 
Regulus, in future books?
> 
> JK Rowling replies -> Well, he's dead, so he's pretty quiet these 
days.

there you go, then.  He isn't Stubby Boardman, after all.  On the 
assumption that exactly *one* Quibbler revelation will turn out to be 
at least partly true, things look blacker for Fudge: I see him dying 
at the hands of the Goblins.

> 
> Kirk Wilkins: Will you ever publish all your notebooks of 
information on the series? I am very interested in reading 150 pages 
on the history of the dementors! 
> 
> JK Rowling replies -> lol Who said there were 150 pages on the 
dementors??? I certainly didn't! I don't think I'll ever publish my 
notebooks. Too many revealing doodlings! 

No, that is usually the privilege of descendents.

> Jangles: Are you going to write books about Harry after school?
> 
> JK Rowling replies -> Probably not, but I'll never say never 
because every time I do I immediately break the vow! 
> 
Against stiff competition, the single most significant comment and a 
*big* departure from previous 'when I've finished I'll go on to 
something different' comments.  Personally, I hope she *does* leave 
it at 7 books, on the assumption that she will continue to write: I'd 
rather see what else she is capoable of.

> Rorujin: How is Dobby abele to apparate inside Hogwarts if no one 
else can?
> 
> JK Rowling replies -> He's a house-elf, they've got powers wizards 
haven't got (but wizards have also got powers that house-elves 
haven't).

The simple answers are the best, I guess.  Is enslavement a piece of 
wizard magic?

> SiriuslyLovinSirius: If we ever see Sirius again, what form will he 
be in?
> 
> JK Rowling replies -> I couldn't possibly answer that for fear of 
incriminating myself.

Interesting she didn't say 'We won't see him again' - but she may be 
thinking of, say, Pensieve memories.

David