[HPforGrownups] The curious silver instruments

[Magda Grantwich]

No: HPFGUIDX 126648


--- bbkkyy55 <bbkkyy55 at yahoo.com> wrote:
> from OOP chapter 22
>    "The instrument tinkled into life at once with rhythmic clinking
> noises.  Tiny puffs of pale green smoke issued from the minuscule 
> silver tube at the top.  Dumbledore watched the smoke closely, his 
> brow furrowed, and after a few seconds, the tiny puffs became a 
> steady stream of smoke that thickened and coiled in the air....A 
> serpent's head grew out of the end of it, opening its mouth wide.  
> Harry wondered whether the instrument was confirming his story: He 
> looked eagerly at Dumbledore for a sign that he was right, but 
> Dumbledore did not look up.
>    'Naturally, naturally,' murmured Dumbledore apparently to
> himself, 
> still observing the stream of smoke without the slightest sign of 
> surprise.  'But in essence divided?'
>    Harry could make neither head nor tail of this question.  The 
> smoke serpent, however, split itself instantly into two snakes,
> both 
> coiling and undulating in the dark air.  With a look of grim 
> satisfaction Dumbledore gave the instrument another gentle tap with
> his wand: The clinking noise slowed and died, and the smoke
> serpents grew faint, became a formless haze, and vanished.
>     Dumbledore replaced the instrument upon its spindly little 
> table;....."
> 
> What is this all about?  Will we learn more in books 6 and 7?  Does
> anyone have any ideas?


I assume that the two smokey serpents are somehow Voldemort and Harry
and that Dumbledore is confirming that Harry is still Harry and not
taken over or possessed by Voldemort (as Moody mentions in St. Mungos
when they all visit Mr. Weasley).  You'll notice that Dumbledore
doesn't do anything to act on Harry's story until AFTER he's
consulted the little silver instrument.  After he confirms that
Voldemort is not speaking through Harry with a false story that might
be a trap for the Order, only then does Dumbledore arrange for the
portraits to find Arthur and get him help.  

I think there's been a growing fear on Dumbledore's (and Snape's)
part since COS that the mental connection between Harry and Voldemort
could go very toxic someday.

This - imo - is what the instrument DOES; how it actually WORKS, well
it's magic after all.

Magda


		
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