Book 1 Trials ....... and what about Scrimgeour - reply

[M.Clifford]

No: HPFGUIDX 134733

Elizabeth:
Now here's the question that's really bothering me: we were given a
description of the "half-blood prince" way back when from Rowling
herself, and it matches the description on p16 of the American
printing... of Rufus Scrimgeour. Again, I searched through the archives,
and I don't see anything about this. Did I miss it? Why were we told
Scrimgeour is the Prince if Snape is? Usually JKR doesn't out and out
lie to us. Are there two Princes? Is Snape doing even MORE undercover
work? It boggles the mind.

Valky:
What's most likely here is that your source was misquoted somewhere
along the line. 
The Rufus Scrimgeour description was a teaser given directly by Jo
through her website jkrowling.com (n Easter in Potterverse - Christmas
is book release). The passage that you're speaking of was introduced
on the website as a passage from HBP,  not necessarily about *the*
HBP. It comes as no surprise that word got around this was the
description of the prince, that was the popular theory not long after
the pasage was released, but AFAIR JKR didn't explicitly say anything
but that this new character would appear in the sixth book. 

On the other hand I have a small bother in the same frame myself, I
was actually dissppointed to discover that Snape was the HBP, myself.
Not because I didn't want him to be, but because I felt a little
misled myself by the "hints about Snape's geneaology" quote, that
convinced me to write off Sevvie as a candidate. It was clever of JKR
to do so because this and other misdirections ("look over here now"s)
lead me, and probably a few others too, to ignore the prospects of his
role in book six for the most part. Its a lesson in constant vigilance
for us interested in puzzling out book plots, like myself. Don't fall
for it!! LOL


shadesof_ink:
I believe the Mirror of Erised is self-explanatory. When asked in an
interview what Harry would see in that mirror <i>now</i>, after his
sixth year, JK stated that it would show the defeat of Voldemort.
This is, undoubtedly, now Harry's greatest desire.

However, the seventh task was more than just the mirror. It
consisted of:
1) Having a pure heart/intent (Wanting the stone without using it)
---Could represent Harry's ability to love and/or killing for
justice rather than hatred.
2) Facing Voldemort (also resisting his temptation?)
---This event is inevitable, and definitely not a mystery.
3) Unmasking Voldemort (Finding Voldemort behind Quirrel's facade)
---This could represent the exposure of Voldemort's weaknesses.


Valky:
I find myself agreeing with what you point out here, shades. These are
all the aspects of the mirror. and I'd like to add to your thoughts.

I'd like to work on connecting the Half Blood Prince Book and the
Potions puzzle in another sense. Lets elaborate on the trials
themselves and how they were psed by the trio;

Fluffy - certainly a formidable abstacle, but with a certain whimsy
about it. ie Fluffy, Hagrids little pet etc. 

The Snare - Rather more sinister but only to the unknowing. A little
cleverness (brightness), and of course knowing the secret gets them
beyond it.

The Winged Key - This trial was rather less sinister again, part from
the mention that past rough handling of the Key reminded the trio that
danger lay ahead and a couple of comparably small things attacking,
its an easy task they have the tools for.

The Chess Game - A daunting trial, seemingly way above their skill
level, but some courage, trust in each other and the willingness to
sacrifice something for the greter good leds them across the board.
Also Harry sees a freind fall for the first time in the Chess game.

The Troll - There's actually nothing here, no trial, just clues to
what lies ahead. (Quirrel-Troll)

The Potions Puzzle - Pure logic, some deduction and reasoning and the
chooser must drink from the *smallest* bottle to move ahead.

So the Potions Puzzle - In this light, OOtP and the HBP seem to take
on a new direction to me. While HBP is the most recent canon we have,
it seems by my deductions that OOtP is the clue holder, and HBP is
more like the rhyme. 

We all know that the Hermione deduced the rhyme to indicate the
*smallest* bottle with just a little left in it, as the one that takes
you forward. I don't know about others but in a way that seems to cry
out "Last dregs of Good!Snape canon", to me. The Potion makes one very
cold after drinking it.. What do others think? Especially regarding
the thought that the secret to the unmasking of Voldemort is hidden in
OOtP.

Valky











It's going to be a long two years.