World Building And The Potterverse

pippin_999 foxmoth at qnet.com
Sun Apr 15 18:21:02 UTC 2007


No: HPFGUIDX 167571

  
> Hickengruendler:
> 
> I think the Hand was a genuine error. What convinced me is, that the 
> Trio knew, that Draco had it. And this is simply impossible. Of course 
> he could have gotten his hand everytime and Rowling did not need to 
> tell the viewers (though why not?), but there's no way for Harry, Ron 
> and Hermione to know this, and yet for them it was a matter of fact.
>
Pippin:
Okay, this is what I don't understand.  Sure, it could be an error, but what
makes you sure that it's *impossible* for Ron to know about it?

Here's the canon from CoS:
A glass case nearby held a withered hand on a cushion, a blood-stained
pack of cards, and a staring glass eye.
...
"Can I have *that*?" interrupted Draco, pointing at the withered hand
on its cushion.
"Ah, the Hand of Glory!" said Mr. Borgin, abandoning Mr. Malfoy's list
and scurrying over to Draco. "Insert a candle and it gives light only to
the holder! Best friend of thieves and plunderers! Your son has fine
taste, sir."

"I hope my son will amount to more than a thief or a plunderer, Borgin,"
said Mr. Malfoy coldly, and Mr. Borgin said quickly,"No offense, sir, no
offense meant--"

"Though if his grades don't pick up," said Mr. Malfoy, more coldly still,
"that may be indeed all he is fit for--"
CoS ch 4

"He was on his own, clutching that awful shriveled arm--"

"His Hand of Glory," said Ron. "Gives light only to the holder, 
remember?"
-HBP  ch 29

Elsewhere it's established that Draco has spending money, that he has
an owl, that he's fond of bragging, often less than discreet  and usually 
has the best of everything. So where is the problem with Draco
getting the hand and Ron knowing what it is and that he had one?
 Ron doesn't have to have discussed it with Harry. He refers
to it as if Ginny should know what it is. That probably means it's
a reasonably  well-known  device, though probably expensive
if Borgin's eagerness to peddle it is any guide.
 
As a prefect Ron had opportunities to be near Draco when Harry
wasn't there. It's not wizard contraband.  It was openly for sale.
If  Draco bought it before he planned to use it in a secret plot,  
I'd expect him to brag.

What am I missing?

Pippin





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