What if Regulus is ALIVE? (LONG)

[Jen Reese]

No: HPFGUIDX 161976

Julie:
> But what if Regulus is alive? Regulus, brother of Sirius, who  went
> to Hogwarts during the same period as Snape, a  DE during the
> same time as Snape, perhaps friendly with Snape. Regulus, who, 
> if he was hidden so well by Dumbledore that his "death" became
> fact, probably approached Dumbledore via Snape. And if Snape 
> was involved in hiding Regulus, it's certainly possible they've 
> remained in some sort of contact over the years. And possible
> that they've exchanged personal information, from their Hogwarts
> days right through HBP. 

Jen:  I like your theory, you've thought through many issues to 
reach the conclusion.  I'm wondering if Dumbledore was the one to 
hide him, though?  Dumbledore told Harry that Regulus 'predeceased' 
Sirius and therefore left Sirius as the last of the Blacks.  DD 
could have meant that metaphorically, that the Regulus everyone 
thinks of as Regulus is gone, or DD is simply lying to cover up the 
truth (which he told Harry he wouldn't do).  Or Dumbledore might 
believe Regulus is dead and Snape told him otherwise in the course 
of the year if Snape was the one to hide him.  

Another thing, Sirius made no mention if they didn't find Regulus' 
body.  That could have been something easily slipped into the 
conversation with Harry, how upset his mum was that they never had a 
body to bury.  This one could be worked around with transfiguration 
maybe, or polyjuice (harder to pull off with a dead body <g>).  Or 
there was no body (again!) and Sirius didn't get to that part.  

These are just things that occurred to me while reading, all can be 
worked around.  It just seems like JKR missed the perfect 
opportunity to go this route if Stubby Boardman isn't Regulus, a 
character already introduced who looks like Sirius and is posing 
under another name.  Guess he would be the perfect red herring <g>.  

Julie:  
> Who, besides Dumbledore, is likely to know as much about Snape?
> If he's alive, Regulus could be a goldmine of information. And not
> just about Snape necessarily. Perhaps about James and Lily. He
> was Sirius's brother after all. He could know how Snape felt about
> Lily (or any other witch/wizard), why Snape joined Voldemort, why
> Snape left Voldemort, why Dumbledore trusted Snape, etc, etc.
> He could know what, if anything, Lily and Snape did together, why
> Snape feels beholden to protect and teach (if badly) Harry--just
> the life debt to James, or something more? And it goes on.

Jen: Personally I would find this a narrative problem to have a 
barely introduced adult character clearing up many of the major 
mysteries of the series.  It might read perfectly fine if it 
happens, that's just my first reaction.  The end of HBP made it 
sound like the last book will deal primarily with the younger 
generation as they follow Harry on his quest.  Adults and Order 
members will be supportive and assist, but the main focus will be on 
the kids.  Harry is determined to follow Dumbledore's instructions 
to tell NO one about the Horcruxes.  Ooh, but if Regulus already 
*knows* about them.....hmmm.

Now I could see Reegulus fitting into a section of the story, the 
part to tie up Snape's storyline and the locket Horcrux.  That would 
be a really good use of a relatively new character to solve some of 
the mysteries.

Julie: 
> Adult Mentor to Harry: Okay, so why does Harry need an adult
> mentor? Adults haven't done so well by him to this point. They've
> either let him down, or died on him, or both. But Harry is still
> only 17 (or will be in Book 7). And while Hermione and Ron are
> there for him, they are still as young and inexperienced as he is,
> at life and at war. It's not absolutely necessary, but it does 
> make sense that Harry will have an adult he can trust who will 
> mentor him bothabout life in general and about fighting and 
> defeating Voldemort.

Jen:  Regulus could enter the picture without becoming a mentor.  
Bonding with yet another mentor weakens Harry's moment of truth in 
HBP, realising there is no one standing in front of him protecting 
him anymore and he will have to face Voldemort alone, i.e., with no 
more adult protectors.  I think JKR decided 17 would be the age of 
majority in the series because she wanted Harry & Co. to be 
the 'adults' in the last one.  This ties in to what I said above.   
 
Julie:
> And it seems more  interesting to me than a Book 7 of Harry 
> hunting horcruxes one by one and arguing with Dumbledore's 
> portrait or repeatedly sticking his head in a  Pensieve.  And 
> since I've come to expect "more interesting" from JKR, I'm 
> sticking with it for now.

That's the thing really, it's hard sometimes to read a theory on 
here and then imagine it completely within the story because there's 
no supporting story to see how well it fits into yet <g>.  I may 
sound negative about your theory, but really I just see some 
possible holes in continuity is all.  I have no doubt JKR could 
write Regulus into the story realistically and with great 
creativity!  I can't see him having as much of a role as you do, but 
that's just my opinion.

Jen R., applauding Julie for really thinking this one through.