Horcrux predictions (Was: JKR's Ambiguities)

[hickengruendler]

No: HPFGUIDX 139889

 
> Carol responds:
 
> What we do know about his Horcruxes, at least from Dumbledore's
> analysis, is that they're usually valuable in themselves and
> significant to him personally, not to mention that they should last
> forever or they're of no use in maintaining an *infinite* lifespan
> (earthly immortality). 

Hickengruendler:

As Harry correctly noted, the Diary is not valuable. Yes, it had a 
certain value for Voldemort personally, certainly more so than the 
Sorting Hat. But still, the Hat is a relic from the founders, and it 
has a certain worth as well, at least an historcial one. And 
Voldemort is interested in the Hogwarts history. Nagini, too, is not 
valuable except to Voldemort personally. I am aware that is not yet 
100% proven that Nagini really is a Horcrux, but Dumbledore 
definitely seems to think that it is a realistic possibility. And The 
Hat already lasted longer than Nagini ever will. It may be old and 
patched, but there are no signs, that it won't be able to "live" for 
several more centuries. (Except if it is really a Horcrux and will be 
destroyed, of course ;-) ).  

Carol:

> And note that
> Diary!Tom treats it with utter contempt: "This is what Dumbledore
> sends his defender! A songbird and an old hat!" (316)

Hickengruendler:

Yes, but does he really have contempt for the Hat itself or for the 
Hat as a weapon? I always understood this line this way: "Well, a Hat 
won't certainly be much help for you." That does not mean, that he 
disrespects it itself, but just the use in this situation.
 
> Also, just because Harry spends long periods alone in
> Dumbledore's office is no reason to assume that Tom did the same.
> Harry as the Chosen One and Dumbledore's protege is very much a
> special case. The conversation between Dippet and Tom in CoS (243-
45)
> does not indicate a close acquaintance.

Hickengruendler:

But it's still possible. Also, didn't one of the DA members during 
their first meeting in the Hog's Head say, that one of the portraits 
in the office told him something. That seems he actually had some 
time with the portraits alone. But admittingly, Tom Riddle never was 
alone in the office. The portraits are there as well, and I think one 
of them would have told Dippet or at least later Dumbledore, if Tom 
did something very unusual with the sword or the Hat. At least after 
they heard about the Horcruxes.

Carol:
> (And would Tom have performed
> the Horcrux incantation under the watchful eyes of the former
> Headmasters? I can't imagine Portrait!Phineas sleeping through a 
Dark
> incantation.)

Hickengruendler:

Yes, like I said, I think that's the biggest argument against 
the "Hat as a Horcrux theory". Which is a pity, because I really 
liked it.
 
Carol:

> Moreover, Harry uses both the Sorting Hat and the Sword of 
Gryffindor
> to defeat Diary!Tom--the hat conceals the sword, which kills the
> basilisk (whose fang Harry uses to destroy the diary). There's no 
sign
> that Tom recognizes the sword or surely he would have said so.

Hickengruendler:

This, however, is easily explained. He made the diary earlier, before 
he learned about the Horcruxes and about the true value of the sword.

Carol:

> (Dippet's office is recognizably different from Dumbledore's even
> though it's the same room. It contains the portraits but no Fawkes 
and
> no silver instruments. Neither the sword nor the Sorting Hat is
> mentioned.)

Hickengruendler:

But the Hat at least had to be there. The founders made it to get the 
students sorted. It can't have been anywhere else than in Hogwarts. 
And didn't Gryffindor himself put the sword in the Hat, with the 
mentioning, that only a true Gryffindor could draw it out of it? 
Therefore the sword hat to be in the Hat all the time, or am I 
misremembering this?