LV cf Dementors

[macfotuk at yahoo.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 114505


--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, K G <moonmyyst13 at y...> wrote:
> 

> With the descriptions that we have of LV, I tend to lean toward 
Dementor.  Not just any one but the ultimate one.  Look at how they 
are in a way Legilimens.  Look at the physical description.  What do 
we know about Dementors and where they come from?  How long do they 
live?  What other powers do they have?
> 
> moonmyyst

Apologies to both Moonmyst and other longtime posters if I seem 
unnecessarily to be rising to the bait here, but if Voldy is chief 
dementor then why isn't Harry afraid of him and why doesn't he (now 
or ever) respond the same to LV as he does to dementors? - going 
weak at the knees, hearing the death of his parents, like he'd never 
be happy again etc.

I once had (what in my mind was at the time) a great post on why 
Harry is *so* affected by dementors, or at least he was in PoA on 
the Hogwart's Express, but the inspiration went before I could get 
it down in type. I do recall, however, that it went along the lines 
of (had somethign to do with) comparing responses to that initial 
exposure. I found it *tremendously* significant that JKR had chosen 
it to be so that both Neville and Ginny stumble into Harry's 
compartment just before tp the dementor showing up because I felt 
this allowed us to see their comparative response (effect on them 
from dementors) and was a key clue to dementors and their special 
hold upon/effect on Harry. Only Harry passes out. Neville and Ginny 
are both very wobbly/shaking (remembering that the year before Ginny 
had been possessed by LV, well TMR at least) and Neville had his 
back story (and his prophecy significance). Neither Ron nor Hermione 
(exemplars of 'normal' witches - pureblood vs muggleborn, and with 
no horrible stuff in their background) were nearly as affected, even 
if Ron does report that they made him feel 'he'd never be happy 
again' and all the other things that 'normal' wizards experience in 
the dementors' presence and the reason they are generally so feared.

Nope LV isn't (IMO) a dementor, though I'm really not sure exactly 
just what a dementor *IS* nor where they came from in the first 
place.