The House of Gaunt

[yahoo at stevenmcintosh.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 151048

Peggy Wilkins:

> I always assumed he did, and was surprised when a bunch of people
> questioned it.  However, on going back later and rereading the
> multiple Pensieve scenes in which Parseltongue is spoken, it becomes
> obvious that Dumbledore does understand it; there's no question.  He
> and Harry discuss what was said; therefore, the only conclusion is
> that he does understand it.  This shouldn't be surprising, given all
> the obscure languages Dumbledore understands.  As for how he
> understands it, well, how does he know anything that he knows?  He
> seems to know a lot.  He even speaks Mermish (cf. GOF second task).
> How does he know Mermish?



stevemac:

I was going back through chapter 10, Bob Ogden's memory - is this the  
one in question?

While reading it, paying very close attention, DD never mentions  
anything about understanding Parseltongue. There is a point where DD  
asks Harry if he does understand what Ogden does not - but does not  
imply that DD understands it himself. Much of the discussion of the  
scene afterwards is, in present time, already known by DD (or at  
least it seems that way)

There may be more in other chapters... is there a particular passage?  
Maybe I'm missing it.

I'm not saying that DD does NOT understand it - as you mention, if he  
speaks Mermish, why not Parselmouth, but I don't think that it is  
ever implied that he does understand it in the scene.

AS A POSSIBILITY THOUGH:
Considering how the pensive works (as it is a memory of a third  
person), and seeing as Harry is reliving this memory at the same  
time, and that DD is an accomplished Legimens... he could possibly  
have used Harry as an unwilling interpreter? (just a wild and crazy  
thought)


SteveMac (a potter newbie)