Dumbledore's Magnaminity - Genetics

[PJ]

No: HPFGUIDX 143147

> bboyminn:
> 
> While I think you have a valid point, I think you are overstating 
and
> overemphasizing certain aspects of it.

You could be right, I'm not sure though... What I was thinking about 
was how magical abilities pop up seemingly out of nowhere in normal 
muggle families such as the Evans and Grangers but how, while they 
hit some, they randomly miss others in the same family with the same 
apparent genetic base.  

> While it is true that magical
> parents is no guarantee of a magical child, it is the norm. Magical
> parents are VERY likely to have magical children.

I agree that those are the children we hear about but, since this 
story takes place mainly at Hogwarts, we naturally wouldn't hear 
about all the children decended from Muggleborns (or other Wizards) 
with no magical ability at all.  They would normally have no part in 
JKR's story. However, she has put what I think might be a hint into 
her books... Squibs.  While I don't believe the numbers are large, 
they are large enough to have a designation of their own.  

bboyminn:
> Now, if we want to dabble in the realm of pure speculation, we 
can, as
> I have done many times, speculate the Petunia received her Hogwarts
> letter first and that she turned down the opportunity thinking
> witchcraft an inappropriate endeavor for a proper young 
lady.<snip> > Further, JKR has said, to the effect, that there is no 
significants to
> Dudley, but she has also said (paraphrased) that we should keep our
> eye on Petunia. That there is more to Petunia than meets the eye
> (again paraphrased).

I personally think you're right about Petunia also having gotten her 
letter but turning it down. But this is all the more reason (IMO) 
for her not to assume Harry is a Wizard but Dudley is not.  It just 
wouldn't make any sense.

PJ