Irma Pince magical? (WAS:Theory on Petunia)

[abergoat]

No: HPFGUIDX 156629

Mike's post:
> > Abergoat says:
> > I think that both Irma and Filch are related to Snape and that is
> > their importance. People on the Eileen Prince thread roll their 
> > eyes when I say it but I strongly suspect that Snape lost his     
> > parents early <snip>
> 
> Mike here:
> 
> Interesting, very interesting! When you say related, do you mean 
> familial related (by blood), or related by story line? Do you have 
> something specific in canon that is steering you in this direction, 
> or is it an impression from the overall story?

Abergoat responds:
Ouch, holding my feet to the fire? ;) I'm going to burn...but I'll
try. I suspect at least one of them is related by blood.

I have very little canon beyond that Snape went to Filch to wrap his
leg in PS/SS (probably just so JKR could have Harry see Snape's leg
but there could be something else there) and the scene where Snape
avoids saying anything nasty about Filch's concern over his petrified
cat and also avoids laughing at Lockhart's haircurlers, out of
courtesy to Filch?). Yes, I'll admit that isn't much - but JKR often
only gives hints (Sirius's motorbike, Harry's glimpse of the hand of
glory, etc and Peeves' breaking of the vanishing cabinet all in
earlier books). There is some indication that Snape shows contempt for
adults as well as children (Lockhart, Sirius, Karkaroff and Lupin are
some that I can think of right off - but Karkaoff is the only one that
is older...) so the fact that he treats Hagrid and Filch with respect
could be meaningful. Or not.

As for Irma, nothing stronger there either. We only have 1) JKR's
possible anagram 'I'm a Prince' that some people suggest points to
Irma being a possible relation, 2) that she is a librarian and Snape's
real home is shown to be full of very old leather bound (expensive?)
books but the rest of the place is shabby suggesting a family
collection passed down though generations and 3) Irma's possible
attachment to Filch (from the the scene where Irma overhears them bad
mouthing Filch and reacts causing Harry to speculate she cares for
Filch and the scene with Filch and Irma standing together just before
the funeral).

The main reason for Irma and Filch to be related is to 1) leave
someone behind with whom Harry can speak with to learn more about
Snape's backstory (since I do think trusting Snape will be Harry's
challenge for the final book); 2) I'm certain that Filch 'filched'
something of importance to the story (a horcrux?) and 3) I suspect
that Filch will be the one to do magic late in life to protect Snape
or Irma.

Is any of that proof? Not at all...I merely tied it into my favorite
speculation that Snape's mother was a Voldemort victim because she had
the Ravenclaw relic and Irma and Filch 'filched' it back after it was
made into a horcrux...and have absolutely no idea what they've got.
Why do I love it? Because it nicely explains a Snape eaten by hate but
still on Dumbledore's side...in such a way that Dumbledore would never
question his loyalty.


Mike wrote:
> I too am on board with Snape is an orphan. It fits with the overall 
> motif, Tom Riddle, Hagrid, Harry. I would include in this 
> postulation that Tom was the only one of these four that DD didn't 
> get personally involved with their well being. This could be DD's 
> biggest mistake and one he has been trying to make up for for the 
> past 60 years. Too bad, you gotta get them in the nest, once they go 
> feral there's no getting 'em back. <g>

Abergoat says:
That is an excellent line of reasoning. And I love your 'gotta get
them in the nest' because I think that is Tom's problem - he suffers
from classic attachment disorder because he had no mother to attach to
in the first months of his life. Dumbledore wanted to help, but
recognized his help would never be accepted. JKR's response about
Snape being more culpable supports your theory - Hagrid was loved by
his father, Harry was loved by both parents and (I believe) Snape was
loved by (at least) his mother in the first critical months of life.
Tom's mother abandoned him at birth. Add that with immense talent,
personal charm, vast intelligence and good looks and you have someone
who can do a lot of damage to society.

Abergoat