Harry's scar (Was: Lilly)

[justcarol67]

No: HPFGUIDX 121606


Valky wrote:
> > I agree, the shape of the scar and the eiwahz rune are probably
significant, but maybe we /should/ make a list of all the *other* 
things about the scar that might be the more significant thing JKR 
speaks of. It may be just what you need to prove the point. ;P
> 
Brothergib responded: 
> I agree that the shape of the scar is important. The simple act of
Lily's sacrifice protecting Harry is not enough. It was Lily's 
knowledge of this 'ancient form of magic' and her power as a witch in
producing the necessary accompanying charm that protected Harry.
However, I still believe that the most important thing about the scar
 is that it forms a psychological link between Harry and Voldemort. <snip>

Carol responds:
Yes, I'm sure you're right about the psychological link being the most
important link, which would also explain why the shape is not the most
important aspect of the scar without eliminating the possibility that
it *is* important. What we don't know, of course, is exactly what
*caused* the scar, but we *do* know that AKs don't normally leave any
mark (Cedric and the Riddles are unscarred), which again allows the
possibility that the scar resulted from a protective charm performed
by Lily in combination with the deflected AK. But there seems to have
been a wound as well, one that allowed some of Voldemort's powers to
enter Harry's head. (I'm guessing that Lily didn't foresee any such
consequence; she was trying to save Harry's life and, if she knew
about the Prophecy, help save the WW as well. She probably didn't
think about where the AK would land or what would happen when the
curse was deflected.)

So, to return to Valky's question, we have the *location* of the scar
as one of its properties. It's on his forehead where its highly
visible (though we're never told its size or color, which therefore
can't be important). The location makes Harry instantly recognizable
to anyone in the WW, as he would not be if Voldie had aimed for his
heart rather than his head. The scar would be hidden under his robes,
and instead of getting headaches, he would be having apparent heart
attacks which he might not recognize as being related to his scar. As
it is, the scar is very much a part of his identity and has been even
before he understood its significance (see the description of his
appearance in SS/PS). It, along with his green eyes, helps to
distinguish him from James.

The location is also important because it enables a connection
Voldemort through their minds rather than their hearts. (Voldemort, to
all intents and purposes, doesn't have a heart, but he certainly has a
mind.) Because the scar is on his forehead rather than, say, his
chest, he partially shares Voldemort's powers of Legilimency, seeing
his dreams and feeling his emotions but also subject to visions
implanted by Voldemort. And possibly, though this is iffy, the
particular part of the brain behind the forehead, the frontal lobe,
may be important. (Anatomy experts may be able to help us with this one.)

As for the shape, the narrator, working from Harry's POV, would
naturally use the familiar lightning bolt rather than the unfamiliar
eihwaz rune to describe it. Remember the description of the Thestrals
as winged, skeletal horses before he knew what they were, and the
description of the black dog as an apparent Grim before we found out
that he was an Animagus.

To sum up: Size and color of the scar unknown and unimportant.
Location important as indicated above. Shape (eihwaz rune?)possibly
important. Conduit to Voldemort (headaches, dreams, visions) very
important.

Remaining questions: What, exactly caused the scar? Is it merely the
mark left from the wound in his head (not a normal result of an AK),
or is it a protective mark (eihwaz rune) left by Lily's "ancient
magic"? Did the scar operate as a shield, causing the AK to be
deflected onto Voldemort, or did it appear when the wound that allowed
some of LV's powers to enter Baby Harry's mind healed, or both? (Note:
It does not appear that any powers escaped Harry and entered
Voldemort, who was left bodiless and able only to possess others until
he regained a body of his own. Except, of course, that he didn't die
and neither did Harry.)

What am I forgetting? Or what did I get wrong?

Carol