[HPforGrownups] Re: Runes

[charme]

No: HPFGUIDX 122057

> Tonks here:
>
> I will let Geoff answer for himself. From my point of view, runes
> are a form of divination and represent the occult more than the rest
> of the HP books do. Yes, I know it is part of the magic world, but
> so is Necromancy (a dark art) and she doesn't put that in the books.
> I think she is careful what she calls attention to. Some things like
> divination she down plays and devalues. So I think the XC's who
> oppose the HP books on the grounds of it being real witchcraft
> (=evil to them) will see this as proof.
>
> Tonks_op


>CMC said:
> I'm not convinced that Runes will prove to be a particularly
> significant plot point in JKR - we haven't even met the professor who
> teaches the topic! The main narrative purpose of the runes thus far
> is to reinforce our perception of Hermione's braininess - and to
> contrast it with Ron and Harry's heartfelt desire to stay as far away
> as possible from so challenging an academic area (they'll stick with
> Divination, which they believe they can BS their way through). Books
> six and seven could prove me wrong, but so far I see this as very
> incidental to the plot.
>
>
>    - CMC (political right, religious center)


charme:

Another way to look at runes is the definition linguistically: they were an 
alphabet (albeit ancient) for Northern Europe at one time. I also think 
that's the way Hermoine (who I perceive not to trust divination per her 
experiences with Trelawney) studies them at Hogwarts. As CMC points out, the 
runes course probably would takes some brains.

Tonks, would this still affect your point of view (runes as an ancient 
language in HP) if that were the way it's included?