How important is the right sluggish memory?

[Jen Reese]

No: HPFGUIDX 142021

Lucianam:
> Connecting those points together, we get the picture of an elusive
> headmaster, always away from Hogwarts, presumably collecting the
> memories for his Pensieve sessions with Harry, and always
> carefully informing Harry of when they are supposed to meet to see
> those memories. 

Jen: First, I think like Valky in #142018 that the Slughorn memory 
was indeed real, but your time-travel idea is very intriguing, and I 
definitely believe Dumbledore's and Ron's watches are significant 
for the future plot!

As for what Dumbledore was doing while away, I do think he was 
researching the locations of the horcruxes rather than collecting 
the memories. Some of the memories he collected, and the subsequent 
actions he took, would have changed the future. Like when he 
retrieved Morfin's memories and tried to secure his release from 
Azkaban or intervened on Hokey's behalf (this isn't said directly in 
text, but Dumbledore did discuss his knowledge of the MOM case 
against Hokey, which would mean he investigated further than just 
retrieving the memory). Maybe he did time-travel to get Ogden's 
memory though, since Ogden died 'some time ago' according to DD 
in "The House of Gaunt."

Dumbledore could have still used the memories to help him decide 
which location to time-travel to. Like say he and Harry reviewed the 
Secret Riddle memory, likely Dumbledore's real memory, then 
Dumbledore started to wonder about the cave and whether Riddle felt 
that location was significant? So Dumbledore decided to travel back 
in time and talk to Mrs. Cole (with gin in hand <g>)and find out the 
exact location of the seashore outing. Or for that matter, he 
traveled back to witness the actual scene in the cave. 

Ethically I think this would be a very sound plotline because 
Dumbledore is the only character who would be capable of visiting 
the cave scene, or Hogwarts during the time of Riddle, and not 
attempt to change the events even knowing the outcome. The Trio 
exhibiting that same capability, though...... well, maybe JKR will 
have to fudge a little, like Harry thinking TT!Harry was actually 
James casting the patronus. 

Lucinam:
> I think Dumbledore has been Time Travelling all through HBP. That
> would explain why Scrimgeour so desperately sought Harry's aid to
> tell him where the headmaster was, why Dumbledore always carefully
> timed his meetings with Harry. 

Jen: That would explain why no one could trace him, even the trained 
aurors who were tailing him throughout the story or his staff 
(McGonagall had as little idea as Scrimgeour where Dumbledore went). 

Valky:
> Now, doesn't this make you wonder if Dumbledore knew Harry could
> retrieve the memory from Slughorn as a result of the surprise
> appearance by Harry that night.

Jen: I'd like to think Dumbledore believed Harry could retrieve the 
memory for the same reason he believed Harry could convince Slughorn 
to take up the position at Hogwarts--because he understood Harry's 
strengths and Slughorn's weaknesses (and how the two would collide). 
More mundane than time-travel, I know, but if TT explains too many 
of the character's actions when there's already a character 
explanation in place, that's when it starts to seem, what, cheesy? 
Deux et machina, contrived? ;) All a matter of individual opinion, 
of course.

Plot aspects like how Dumbledore found the cave, which has no 
explanation in text so far, could be explained quickly by time-
travel. And boy does JKR need some tricks to get through the story 
left for Book 7!


Lucianam:
> I suspect he uses that watch of him to Time Travel (the one we see
> in the first chapter or PS/SS). Now that Ron's got a similar one
> (from Dumbledore himself??) I suspect the kids will Time Travel
> again in Book 7.

Jen: I do believe that watch came to Ron from Dumbledore, disguised 
as a birthday present from his parents (who may or may not have been 
in on the giving). Why Ron instead of Hermione, who has time-travel 
experience? The simple answer is it was a boy's watch, but simple 
isn't fun, is it <g>? There's still the chance, I think, that 
Dumbledore possessed those watches because they belonged to Godric 
Gyffindor and DD/Aberforth are the last *direct* descendants of that 
line (and owners of the house at Godric's Hollow). The Weasleys, 
with their red hair and pure blood, are distantly related and also 
in possession of a GG item--Molly's useful clock. 

Valky:
> I'll put Galleons on it, Lucianam. I would even have a crack at the
> timeframe they will return to in case you're interested. The
> battle at the D.O.M. You heard *that* here first <g>

Jen: No, no, Godric's Hollow the night of the murders, of course!! 
Why the DOM? Not that I don't think it's possible but what would 
they be looking for? I'm not sure if you're thinking about Sirius' 
death or the battle between LV and DD (or something else entirely).

Jen, who could never actually explain how time-travel worked in POA, 
but wouldn't mind seeing it again in limited doses.