Contradictions

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 156555

My son and I have been listening to PoA this summer. Something Lupin 
said jumped out at me as a big contradiction to something from HBP. 
Then a couple of other contradictions came to mind. Nothing connects 
and it's random bits----just like the sort of things that come to 
mind in DD's Pensieve. 

One of the issues I'm bringing up here was discussed not long after 
HBP came out. When did DD become Headmaster? I'd like to reinstate 
that discussion. I never realized what a contradiction there was. I 
didn't remember how clearly Lupin had stated the events. But first, 
here are the bits, in the order we first learned of them. 

>>>CoS chapter 13. Harry and Riddle are in the diary seeing events of 
50 years ago when Riddle is about 16:
a tall wizard with long, 
sweeping auburn hair and a beard called to Riddle
snip He was none 
other than a fifty-year younger DD.<<<

>>>PoA, chapter 18 Lupin is speaking:
It seemed impossible that I would be able to come to Hogwarts. Other 
parents weren't likely to want their children exposed to me. But then 
DD became headmaster, and he was sympathetic."<<<


>>>HBP chapter 20:

Harry has come to DD's office. DD inquires about Slughorn's memory. 
Headmaster Dippet is snoring behind the desk. DD tells Harry that 
Riddle was well liked at Hogwarts, Dippet was fond of him, and 
thought him honest. Riddle asked for a job at Hogwarts but Dippet 
turned him down---too young. 

DD shows Harry 2 memories. The first is Hokey's memory and IIRC it 
happens shortly after Riddle graduated. Then DD shows Harry one of 
his memories and says it happens 10 years after the first one. DD and 
Harry go into the Pensieve. Harry sees that they are in the same 
office that they were just standing in. Fawkes is there and so is 
DD "who looked very similar to the DD who was standing beside Harry 
(snip) his face a little less lined." DD greets Tom and offers him a 
chair, Tom Riddle says, "I heard you had become headmaster."

>>>HBP chapter 29, Harry follows McGonagall into the Head's office. 
DD's portrait is sleeping behind the desk.<<<


So first: When did DD become headmaster?

It seems very clear. Right there in book 3 Lupin says DD became 
headmaster just before the Marauders went to Hogwarts. That must have 
been early 70s?

It seems very clear. Right there in book 6. DD became headmaster 
about 10 years after Riddle graduated. That must be mid 50s?

You know, this seems as strange, in the same way, as Molly recalling 
Pringle and Ogg from her days at school, when we're all sure it 
should have been Hagrid and Filch. 

Second, Aging gracefully:

Harry and a 16-year-old Riddle come in contact with an auburn haired 
DD. Was he 100 years old then? Eleven or 12 years later (40 years 
ago?) DD looks much like he does now.  That's a lot of aging in 12 
years, with not much more in the next 40.


The first two sets of contradictions make me wonder if we're going to 
see another Time Turner--or an earlier use of one---in book 7. And/or 
if we'll learn something about how DD ages and why not all wizards 
seem to live so long.

Third: What's up with portraits? DD talks about Dippet and Riddle. 
The portrait never comments. Does anyone know if Dippet's portrait 
has ever spoken in any of the books? I know portraits sleep. I know 
portraits pretend to sleep. I wonder about Dippet. His portrait is 
behind DD's desk until DD's portrait takes that spot. Could it be 
possible that a portrait would sleep until the next Headmaster joined 
the ranks?


Dippet doesn't have much to do with my first set. It just sort of 
fell into place. But it may mean DD's portrait won't be any help.