What really happened on the tower.

[wynnleaf]

No: HPFGUIDX 155794

> 
> Carol notes:
> You may be thinking of the first Petrificus Totalus, which Harry casts
> from behind at the "brutal-faced Death Eater" (Yaxley?). But the
> second Petrificus Totalus, the one that saves Harry from Fenrir
> Greyback, is cast by an unidentified person who can't be Harry because
> Harry is pinned down and can't move:
> 
> "As Harry plunged after them, one of the fighters detached themselves
> from the fray and flew at him. It was the werewolf, Fenrir. He was on
> top of Harry before Harry could raise his wand: Harry fell backward,
> with filthy matted hair in his face, the stench of sweat and blood
> filling his nose and, hot greedy breath at his throat--
> 
> "'Petrificus Totalus!'
> 
> "Harry felt Fenrir collapse against him; with a stupendous effort he
> pushed the werewolf off and onto the floor. . . ." (HBP Am. ed. 598).

wynnleaf

I particularly recall this passage from the first time I read HBP.  I
thought it was confusing.  As I was picturing the action, I just
wasn't picturing Harry doing the petrificus totalus.  I assumed it was
someone else.  But then, the action progressed and I couldn't figure
out who it was.  Later, as I re-read it several times, I decided it
had to be Harry, because there wasn't anyone else and surely he'd have
noticed if it was Snape.  I thought of it as an editing problem,
except that there are really very few editing problems of that nature
in the books.  But I agree, it could very well be misdirection from
the narrator.

A funny thing.  Just as I was writing the above paragraph, I decided
to read that quote above to my husband (avidly on the ESE Snape side).
 I said, "you know, I think this is confusing," and read the passage
to him. And he said, "Oh, it's not confusing at all.  Someone else
fired that petrificus to help Harry."  So I said, "But who else was
around just then except DE's and Snape?"  My husband was a bit put
out.  :D 

wynnleaf