Obviously Petunia? (Was: Retrospective - Snape's Worst Memory)

[Goddlefrood]

No: HPFGUIDX 142835

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "justcarol67" 
<justcarol67 at y...> wrote:
> Either way, she's middle-aged, not old. (Petunia)

Goddlefrood:

Older than me, but not by much and older than JKR, again not by 
much. The semantics of the word later bear consideration.

It is widely accepted that magic generally speaking manifests itself 
at a relatively young age (that is pre attending Hogwarts). I point 
out the example of Neville, who was thought to be a squib and whose 
family apparently considered not sending him to Howarts at some 
point before he displayed magical ability by bouncing.

By later in life it is logical to conclude that JKR means someone 
over the age of majority certainly and probably quite a way over, 
someone who was around forty say?

Mrs. Figg as a squib may know about magic but there has been no 
indication whatever that she is capable of any kind of magic. On 
this basis I have to say that my, and others, view that Aunt Petunia 
is the prime candidate is a sound one.

Further to this I refer you to the Edinburgh Book Festival Interview 
of 15th August 2004, wherein we find this exchange:

"Is Aunt Petunia a Squib? 

Good question. No, she is not, but—[Laughter]. No, she is not a 
Squib. She is a Muggle, but—[Laughter]. You will have to read the 
other books. You might have got the impression that there is a 
little bit more to Aunt Petunia than meets the eye, and you will 
find out what it is. She is not a squib, although that is a very 
good guess. Oh, I am giving a lot away here. I am being shockingly 
indiscreet."

This suggests strongly, when read in conjunction with the quotation 
cited by Carol, that Petunia will be the one performing magic 
comparatively late in life.

Goddlefrood