Significance of missing line (was: HBP paperback)

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 156083

SSSusan:
>>> AH!  So I get what you're saying now.  Erm... maybe I do. That 
you think Aberforth is harboring R.A.B., but that R.A.B. is *not* 
Regulus?  That's what you're getting at? <<< 
 
Dung:
> No, I meant what Pippin said. Nobody can be sheltering R.A.B. with 
> DD's knowledge, or DD wouldn't have gone haring off to the cave.  
> *If* someone has been hidden and their death been faked then I 
> think it's ... Um. I'm Sorry I haven't a Clue. It could be that she 
> wanted the line taken out to stop this kind of speculation 
> altogether because it's confusing, rather than too big a tip-off. 

SSSusan:
Ah, I'm *finally* with you!  It was that "RAB is alive and well, and 
being kept hidden by Aberforth. And I bet Snape knows, and is pals 
with him" line from earlier that had me going. (Like I said, a little 
slow on the uptake I am today.)  And so now I'm just forced to say, 
"Spoilsport!!"    ::sticks out tongue::  

Just kidding of course. 

You're right, though.  It's very possible that that's precisely the 
reason JKR might have had the line removed from the paperback 
release.  'Tis one of the things I've heard rumblings (and oftentimes 
grumblings) about before when it comes to JKR & her website or 
interview responses.  That she seems to be doing a bit more directing 
of the fandom in its investigation and hypothesizing than she did in 
days of old.  Some days I don't mind that; on others I find it spoils 
the fun.


Dung:
> I *do* think RAB is Regulus, boring though it is. I suspect the 
> realisation will come at Grimmauld Place when they finally get that 
> tapestry off the wall, and it will be the first inkling Harry has 
> that Sirius might have been wrong about something. Or someone.

SSSusan:
Well, now *that* would be interesting, at least.  Like I've said, I 
don't really care if Regulus is Good 'n' Gone to the Afterworld; I 
only think it could be cool to have what he knew be discovered by 
Harry & crew somehow.  Getting that pesky tapestry down would be a 
fun scene to read.


Dung:
> It could be, as Alla suggested that Regulus is alive anyway, being 
> hidden by someone else (Snape! Snape! Snape!) but ... I remember 
> thinking my way through all of this last time, when we first 
> discovered there was a discrepancy between editions, and I'm not 
> sure much has changed. So I'm going back to my original Regulus is 
> dead hypothesis, and ironing my hands in an attempt to teach myself 
> not to click 'send' before engaging brain.

SSSusan:
Well, witness my misunderstanding from before.  I think there's been 
a bigger disengagement of brain before 'send' on my end than on 
yours! 

Siriusly Snapey Susan, 
now trying to think of something else to keep me intrigued 'til we 
finally get our answers