numerous short replies, not all of them smart-ass

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 139619

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Catlady (Rita Prince Winston)"
<catlady at w...> wrote:
> Pippin wrote in
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/138999 :
> 
> <<  Jo has already said that Harry can't learn [Occlumency] -- he's
> too damaged. >> 
> 
> I thought Jo said that Harry can't learn Occlumency because he isn't
> damaged enough. ...
> 

bboyminn:

I think Harry has shown that he is capable of Occlumency. When his
mind was being probed by Snape during the lessons, I always felt that
Harry was just as curious as Snape about the memories that came
cascading out which is why he continued to watch rather than shut them
off. But whenever any memory came up that was embarassing or very
personal he was able to cut the memory off immediately. 

True he may never be great at it, but he can do it. It was the
circumstances that diminished his apparent ability and his belief in
his ability, rather than his ability itself.


> 
> Valky wrote in
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/139252 :
> 
> << Day 1 Voldemort attacks GH Day 2 Sirius is put in Azkaban and 
> Harry is put in Privet Drive Day 3 or 4 The Longbottoms are attacked
> and tortured by the Lestranges. >>
> 
> ...edited,,,
> 
> I don't think Day 3 or 4 is long enough for the Lestranges to have
> been arrested and talked their way out of Azkaban.
> 


bboyminn:

I was going to correct this before but couldn't think of a way that
had any length or depth, but since it has gone unchallenged for so
long, I feel I must comment.

The attack on the Longbottoms DID NOT occur on day 3 and/or 4. It
occurred roughly A YEAR LATER just when people were starting to feel
safe again. The time frame in the book isn't real specific, but it's
clear that the attack on the Potters and the Longbottoms are separate
events with a substantial gap between them.


> 
> Lady Indigo wrote in
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/139309 :
> 
> << I can't fathom how someone, even at the age of 16, even in a
> world with advanced healing, could ever see something labelled 'for 
> enemies' and have their first urge be to use it and see what it 
> does. >>
> 
> It kept seeming to me as if that book seduced Harry, kind of like
> The Diary. ... maybe (the book) had some charm on it to magnetically 
> attract Harry, make him trust it and want to try out all its special
> spells. ...edited...
> 

bboyminn:

I agree that Harry was seduced by the Potions book but only in the
most general NON-magical terms. I personally don't think the book was
enchanted, but how could Harry not be seduced by the intriguing book
that gave him such a strong advantage as well as so much other
apparently usefull information? 

While it is theoretically possible that the book was enchanted, from a
realistic perspective JKR has already played that card, and for the
most part, is not into repeating themes or plot devices.

Just a couple of thoughts.

Steve/bboyminn