What indicates to me that Slughorn is related to Harry

[P J]

No: HPFGUIDX 138915


I'm a new member so please excuse me if the ideas in this post have already 
been discussed. :)

>JKR, Mugglenet/Leaky interview:  "As a writer, it was more
>interesting, plot-wise, if Harry was completely alone. So I rather
>ruthlessly disposed of his entire family apart from Aunt Petunia.<snip>


IMO Slughorn could not possibly be related to Harry and here's why.

By JKR consistently declaring (both in interviews as well as in the books 
themselves) since book 1  that Harry's _entire_ family - all but Petunia - 
are dead, she's left herself absolutely no wiggle room to throw in a 
surprise relative this late in the storyline.  Her doing so now would be a 
betrayal and I believe she's much too smart to do something so unnecessary.

>-- To close, (for the time being): Slughorn being Lily's grandfather
>is far more palatable than him being a dirty old man.

Might I suggest a possible third option?

Slughorn is a renowned collector of the talented, famous and influential.  
He's attempted to get Harry into his inner circle since their ride on the 
Hogwarts Express but Harry has refused the bait over and over again.   How 
better to win over an orphaned child than to heap lavish praise on one of 
his parents and then compare Harry to this incredibly wonderful, charming, 
brilliant person?

I believe this would be in character for a Slytherin since the surest way to 
their heart is first and foremost by way of their ego  :)

PJ