[HPforGrownups] Re: Magic late in life

[Magpie]

No: HPFGUIDX 161886

> >Carla wrote:
>>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. ;)
>
>
> Lana writes:
>   Yes, I did catch that Carla.  I have just been put in my place very 
> efficiently on a different topic.  With no canon to support the other side 
> I might add.  My opinion had canon to support it, but since it is not a 
> popular belief, it was shot down quite forcefully.

Magpie;
Well, I wasn't going to say anything, but since it's now coming up, I didn't 
think Carla was shot down by a book gestapo. I, too, assumed that she was 
suggesting that Vernon really was magic, since generally this list is about 
analyzing the books--I'm not sure what anyone is supposed to reply to a 
"wouldn't it be funny if..." except "yes, that would be funny," since it's 
not talking about the books. I thought Carol (I think it was Carol) was 
simply replying to it as such with canon reasons she didn't think it would 
happen and I don't really think it's fair to suggest she was bullying or 
shutting down discussion. Seemed to me she was entering into the discussion 
seriously, along the lines she's used to talking on the list.

Lana:
>    Don't take it personally.  You are entitled to view the books in any 
> way that is comfortable for you.  If you do not agree to something, then 
> keep with your theory.  You never know..  Anything is possible.  JKR has 
> left so many things unanswered to this point that the REAL truth is only 
> speculation.
>  My opinion is that is very well could be Vernon.  I think it would be a 
> blast.  He is sooo forceful that magic doesn't exist.  Nobody gets that 
> upset unless they are covering it up.

Magpie:
Just to give the other perspective, I very much appreciate the focus on 
canon on this list. "Wouldn't it be a gas" doesn't interest me as much. If 
all opinions are equal because we're snowflakes and anything's possible 
there's not much to discuss. I've definitely dug my heels in on some issues 
if I think canon supports me and others don't agree, and it's not because I 
don't respect other peoples' opinions, it's because I'm here to talk about 
what I think is actually in the books. I'd hate to think that when I'm 
presenting why I think something doesn't work I'm thought of as being rude. 
If someone disagrees with an idea without convincing canon, usually people 
just keep presenting it.

Lana:
> Sounds to me that Vernon is trying to convince himself that magic doesn't 
> exist when he full well knows it does. referring to SS/PS here.

Magpie:
Vernon could know something of magic from Petunia. I think the text makes it 
clear that he is indeed ignoring magic things that are happening in front of 
him--but also that Muggles do that in general. I admit I think the Muggle 
vs. Wizard premise is one of the foundations of the books that would be 
threatened if Vernon could just do magic.

Lana:
>  I also think it would be a blast if it were Filtch..  That would be a gas 
> considering he couldn't get the quick spell course to work for him.. LOL

Magpie:
My vote goes for Filch. He and Figg are the two Squibs, but Filch wants it 
more. I'm hoping it's Filch, that is, but in general I assume it would have 
to be a Squib.

Lana:
>  Now, I still think there is something more to Petunia.  It is possible 
> that she is considered to be a muggle because she hasn't "accepted' her 
> magic ability.  Or maybe for some unknown reason the magic is just delayed 
> in her and nobody knows it.  We have muggles that are slow developing, so 
> why would it not be possible in the WW.   Seems to me in JKR's world 
> anything is possible.  The creative writer she is.. I am sure she could 
> turn it into a fantastic story.

Magpie:
Not to get all book gestapo, but what about JKR's saying "she is a Muggle" 
is unclear? She's said she doesn't lie in interviews, and saying that 
Petunia is a Muggle when she's really a witch who hasn't accepted her magic 
sounds like a lie to me.

There are a lot of limits to what's possible in JKR's world--particularly 
it's limited to what JKR herself is going to do, and why would she be 
contradicting herself to make Petunia a witch? She's giving a hint by saying 
there's more to her but she's a Muggle, so if we're trying to speculate 
what's going to happen, why not use that hint as it was presented? And if 
it's not speculation and just "wouldn't it be a gas" we're not talking about 
the books, we're using the books as a jumping off point for fanfic 
scenarios--which is fine, but a different thing.

-m