Book Two Discoveries!

[macfotuk at yahoo.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 112296

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "esmith222002" <c.john at i...> 
wrote:
> 
> > > 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?

Mac interjects: leaving the hand in the medium that must not be 
named added a moment of suspense early on that otherwise isn't there 
for many more minutes. It certainly caught my kids' attention (film-
maker's desired affect I suspect).
 
> 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!!

What is REALLY interesting is that JKR says Draco 'got' it (I take 
this to mean took it home with him) - this is NOT what it suggests 
in either the film or the book. Does Draco have it or not and if so 
what would its importance be later?

There HAS to be a reason this scene is in the book (let alone again 
in the film) and I can only see a few things about why.

1. Harry makes a mistake travelling by floo powder 
2. Knockturn Alley (nocturnally harhar) is introduced and maybe it's 
located diagonally from DIAGON ALLEY (though in fact is described as 
being 'off' it). Could it be that diagonally when uttered in the 
Floo network gives you the opposite/reverse/antithesis of what you 
wanted? (e.g. butchers instead of greengrocers).
3. A variety of darkly magical objects is introduced, not least the 
hand of glory
4. Lucius' holding of 'suspicious' poisons (and other dark objects) 
in a secret cache at Malfoy Manor (whatever) is revealed
5. Harry encounters a hag (?) with what looks like a tray of human 
fingernails
6. Harry catches Hagrid where one might not expect him to be
7. We learn that Knockturn Alley is a BAD place