World Building And The Potterverse (Harry's disinterest in parents

[Geoff Bannister]

No: HPFGUIDX 167522

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, Don Elsenheimer <don_elsenheimer at ...> 
wrote:
>
> ...when JKR keeps accentuating orphan's misery throughout the series, Harry's 
> unnatural inactivity in that sense contradicts her portrayal of 
> Harry as a bright child longing for loving relatives. 
> 
>   This is particularly relevant given what Harry saw in the Mirror of Erised in PS.  And 
even if Harry is bright (but rather incurious), Hermione isn't, and I can't imagine someone 
like her not taking the initiative to track down this information for her best friend.
>    
>   A scrapbook with wizard photos and memories written down by those who knew Lily 
and James would have made a heck of a Christmas present, don't you think?

Geoff:
Don't forget that Harry /did/ get a book very like that......

'Hagrid wiped his nose on the back of his hand and said, "That 
reminds me. I've got yeh a present."

"It's not a stoat sandwich, is it?" said Harry anxiously and at last 
Hagrid gave a weak chuckle.

"Nah. Dumbledore gave me the day off yesterday ter fix it. 
Course, he shoulda sacked me instead - anyway. got yeh this..."

It seemed to be a handsome, leather-covered book. Harry opened 
it curiously. It was full of wizard photographs. Smilign and waving 
at him from every page were his mother and father.

"Sent owls off ter all yer parents' old school friends. askin' fer 
photos... Knew yeh didn't have any... D'yeh like it?"

Harry couldn't speak but Hagrid understood.'

(PS "The Man with Two Faces" p.220 UK edition)

I get the impression that this meant a lot to Harry. Although we 
aren't told this directly in canon, his reaction to the gift 
suggests that it would be looked at and appreciated very much.