[HPforGrownups] DD and the rat (was:Re: Minerva McGonagall/Dumbledore)

[Christopher Nehren]

No: HPFGUIDX 116272


On Fri, 2004-10-22 at 21:46 +0000, justcarol67 wrote:
[pretence snipped]
> The incantation that resurrects Voldemort calls for "flseh of the
> servant, willingly given." Peter conjures up only a teeny bit of bone
> dust for the "bone of the father" and takes only a drop or two of
> Harry's blood for the "blood of the enemy," but he chops off his own
> entire hand with a knife for the "flesh of the servant"? Wouldn't
> another finger have done as well? And why not use a spell instead
> of a knife? It seems like willful self-mutilation, cutting off 
> his hand to spite his finger, so to speak.

His whole hand may serve as proof of how willing he is. He's willing to
make a larger sacrifice. Some people would make do with a finger -- but
Peter? Oh, Peter uses his whole hand! Why not use a spell? Ceremonious
reasons, perhaps. Perhaps it's also do to with the willingness /
devotion aspect. I'm sure that using a knife would be far more painful
(even describing the process is more than a bit disturbing for me, which
is why I chose the phrase "using a knife" instead), and said pain would
serve as proof of his willingness. And at least in the real world,
sacrifices of this and similar sorts have been made traditionally with
knife cuts.

-- 
Best regards,
Christopher Nehren

I abhor a system designed for the "user", if that word is a coded
pejorative meaning "stupid and unsophisticated".  -- Ken Thompson
-
Unix is user friendly. However, it isn't idiot friendly.