Fools gold

[jotwo2003]

No: HPFGUIDX 121594


As fans we spend a lot of time analysing anything that JKR says to 
try and guess what will happen.  I've taken this one step further and 
analysed something that was cut out to try and work out if this gives 
any clues to what JKR has left in.

On JKR's web site she mentions that in an early version of the 
killing of the Potters at Godric's Hollow, that Sirius was going to 
meet a character called Pyrites, a servant of Voldemort, there.  Jo 
correctly says that pyrites means fool's gold.

JKR says that she wrote many versions of this scene.  Some of her 
original conceptions have been totally dropped.  For instance, in one 
version the Potters were living on an island.  Mr Granger saw what he 
thought was an explosion and rowed over.  Originally a horrible 
Muggle betrayed the Potters to Voldemort, but he was cut when she 
made Pettigrew the traitor.  All these things have been completely 
changed.

However, sometimes JKR keeps the same idea but changes the way in 
which she develops it.  For example, she cut out Mafalda the Weasley 
cousin and built up Rita Skeeter instead because this gave more 
flexibility. 

Bearing all the above comments in mind., although JKR cut Pyrites, I 
wonder whether she cut his role out completely or if she allocated it 
to another character.  In the latter case, perhaps this is evidence 
for the theory that a Death Eater accompanied Voldemort to Godric's 
Hollow.  I'm open to suggestions about which Death Eater people think 
this might be.

I am also speculating whether another plot function for Pyrites was 
performing alchemy for Voldemort.  
In the very early page of Philosopher's Stone that you can find on 
the web site Harry, Ron and Hermione are discussing Nicholas Flamel 
and the Philosopher's Stone.  Hermione says she has read about this 
in a book, Alchemy, Ancient Art and Science by Argo Pyrites.  The 
Argo was the ship of Jason and the Argonauts on their voyage to find 
the Golden Fleece.  Thus the first name is also connected to gold.

Whether or not the Pyrites who worked for Voldemort was the same as 
the author of the book about alchemy, a name that means fool's gold 
seems the type of punning moniker that JKR would give an alchemist.  
Especially as the quest to turn base metals into gold is, in reality, 
fruitless (and even in legend only Flamel achieved it).

Again, this leads me to speculate whether the role of Voldemort's 
alchemist has been given to another character.  I wonder if this plot 
function has been given to Snape.

It's often suggested that Snape gained his place in the Dark Lord's 
inner circle through being involved in some valuable esoteric 
research for Voldemort.  I can certainly imagine Voldemort being 
interested in alchemy, and not just for the gold.  The Elixir of Life 
would be useful for Voldemort's experiments in achieving 
immortality.  In fact, although it's stating the obvious, we already 
have canon evidence that Voldemort covets the Stone from the very 
plot of the first book.  

At his re-birthing Voldemort says:

"I was willing to embrace mortal life again, before chasing 
immortal.  I set my sights lower 
 I would settle for my old body 
back again, and my old strength." (GOF Chapter 33 The Death Eaters)

However I can't see him being satisfied with this for long.  I'm sure 
he is up to his old tricks once more.  Thus it would make sense for 
alchemy to figure again for both plot and thematic reasons.

As well as explaining Snape's position within the Death Eaters, 
alchemy seems to be the type of magic that not any witch or wizard 
can perform, but which Snape would be eminently suited to.  Although 
alchemy has links to transfiguration, as former Transfiguration 
teacher Dumbledore was Flamel's partner, and it clearly involves 
change, much of the methodology is similar to potion-making.  Alchemy 
involves heating and distilling substances again and again and 
requires time.  Again, stating the obvious, the Elixir of Life a 
liquid that has magical effects; in other words, a potion.  (Yes I 
have read that in alchemy the elixir and the stone can both a powder, 
but as JKR made the Philosopher's Stone a stone, I think she'd make 
the elixir a potion.)

So that's yet another theory for us to mull over.  Only time and JKR 
will tell if I'm on the right track, or simply chasing fool's gold.

JoTwo