Book Two Discoveries!

[esmith222002]

No: HPFGUIDX 112253


> > Ravenclaw Bookworm responded:
> > Same scene, different POV – The Hand of Glory.  It doesn't
> > add anything to the plot. 
> > 
> > The deleted version of the scene is much longer and includes 
Draco 
> > almost finding Harry.  IIRC, the part with the Malfoys coming 
into 
> > the store was deleted, but the Hand was left in.  I might be 
willing 
> > to stake a couple of knuts on it – any takers?
> 

JKR has actually referenced the 'Hand of Glory' in an interview 
before.

'Did you ever make a study of herbs and other Hogwarts subjects, or 
did you create all those classes from inspiration?

Most of the magic is made up. Occasionally I will use something that 
people used to believe was true - for example, the "Hand of Glory" 
which Draco gets from Borgin and Burkes in Chamber of Secrets.'

>From Scolastic.com 2000.

I did a little searching for the 'Hand of Glory' and this is what I 
found.

The hand of a man that has been hanged, when dried and prepared with 
certain weird unguents and set on fire, is known as the Hand of 
Glory; and as it not only bursts open all safe-locks, but also lulls 
to sleep all persons within the circle of its influence, it is of 
course invaluable to thieves and burglars. 

Sounds like a very handy tool. I did wonder whether this might have 
been what Quirrell-Mort used to break into Gringott's!!