Magic late in life

[Mike]

No: HPFGUIDX 161873

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, Dantzel Withers wrote:

> Dantzel replies:
> <snip>
> I was also thinking about something JKR said about Petunia, which 
> I THOUGHT was that she was not a squib, so I was like, "There you 
> are, she's not magical" until I realized that could go both ways: 
> either being magical and never touching it or having not an ounce 
> of magic in her veins.
> 
> So now that I've 'self-doubted' myself into a corner, can someone 
remind me if JKR specified if she had *any* magic at all???

Mike:
This is JKR from the Edinburgh Book Festival interview, 15 Aug 2004:
_________________________________________________________________
Is Aunt Petunia a Squib?

Good question. No, she is not, but—[Laughter]. No, she is not a 
Squib. She is a Muggle, but—[Laughter]. You will have to read the 
other books. You might have got the impression that there is a 
little bit more to Aunt Petunia than meets the eye, and you will 
find out what it is. She is not a squib, although that is a very 
good guess.
http://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/en/news_view.cfm?id=80
_________________________________________________________________

I would like to add here that Ron explained that a squib is one 
without magical abilities born from witch and wizard parents. Lily's 
and therefore Petunia's parents were Muggles, so she can't be a 
squib. And JKR clearly states that Petunia is a Muggle.

So, whatever the "a little bit more to Aunt Petunia" is, it's not a 
magical ability late in life.

Carla:
Be very careful!! I brought up the very same thing about Vernon on
just a "wouldn't it be funny" basis and a member of the "Book
Gestapo" jumped all over me, quoting chapter after chapter and
frightening everyone away from even dicussing it. ;)

Mike:
Yeah, humorousless bunch of S.O.B.s, aren't we? BTW, did you get 
your "Book Gestapo Stomped Here" bumper sticker? If not, we can have 
somebody forward it to you. Please avail yourself of the 
contribution form that is included in your packet. For a 
contribution of $50 you can get a compilation of their most poignant 
articles criticizing authors for lack of "canon references". For a 
$125 contribution you get their best-selling book "World Domination 
through Grammar". And for a $250 contribution you get their latest 
Book on CD of "Famous Plagiarizers and How They Put One Over", with 
additional footage of their most recent Pun Book burning. Act now, 
as supplies are limited.

Mike, wondering where he put his "Book Gestapos Spel Better, Come 
sit a Spel, We'll think up new Spels, (or it will Spel Trouble)" 
pamphlet