AND AT THE END - POA

[Ceridwen]

No: HPFGUIDX 166924

All numbered paragraphs are from Alla and Sherry:

1. In the first paragraph of PoA we learn that Harry really wanted to 
do his homework but was not allowed to by Dursleys. Foreshadowing of 
Harry's academic effort or is it unlikely given one book left?

Ceridwen:
Unlikely, in my opinion.  I think this was just to remind readers of 
the Dursleys' aversion to and poor treatment of Harry.  What 
guardians these days don't want their charges to do their homework?  
Only stupid, illogical, cartoonish sorts like the Dursleys.

2. *(snipping example)*
Do you believe that we will learn something different than what was 
described in this quote about muggles prosecuting wizards and if yes, 
what wider implications it may have for the end of it all?

Ceridwen:
I'm not sure if we'll ever hear anything else about this.  If we do, 
then I would expect it to explain the beginnings of Pureblood 
Supremacy and Slytherin's choice of students for his house.

4. Weasleys went to Egypt. There was a lot of speculation that Egypt 
would be significant in some way later on. Can we still expect it 
with one book left?

Ceridwen:
It depends on what you're willing to think of as being significant.  
I think that Bill's time in Egypt as a curse-breaker will have some 
bearing on his place in the story, and he may even make references to 
what he did in Egypt.  The magic used in the ancient tombs might have 
been used by LV to protect his Horcruxes, or magic based on that more 
ancient magic, which would call for Bill's expertise.  But I don' t 
think we'll be following Harry to Egypt.

5. Would we ever learn what Remus was doing in those twelve years 
before he came to Hogwarts?

Ceridwen:
I'd like to know what Remus was up to, and why his bag said "Prof." 
in fading letters if that was his first year teaching.  At this 
point, though, I don't think we'll get anything outside of interviews 
or a summary if it doesn't have anything to do with the story in DH.

Though, the fading letters, if not merely for atmosphere to show how 
poor he was (couldn't even get good engraving on his suitcase, yes, a 
joke), might be a clue to something, perhaps to Remus having been a 
spy with the werewolves, or tutor for werewolf children who also had 
an ear out for information or contacts from the werewolf population.

6. *(snipping example)*

Would we ever learn the identities of Dumbledore's other spies? If 
the answer is yes, would they be of some use in book 7?

Ceridwen:
I think we already know of others besides Snape.  Dumbledore 
indicated that he gets information from the barkeepers of Hogsmeade, 
and I expect that the barman at the Hogshead does more than mention 
things casually over a pint. ;)  Remus was a spy with the werewolves 
in HBP and may have had the same job (maybe "deep cover" with story 
of treachery, which was why, it is speculated, Sirius and the Potters 
didn't trust him as SK).  I think that Mundungus Fletcher is a spy 
among thieves and other shady people who keep more to Knockturn Alley 
than the Hogshead, and I think he may have purposely gotten into 
Azkaban (now sans Dementors) to overhear talk between or from the 
imprisoned Ministry Raiders.  I go back and forth to Percy being set 
up in the Ministry to gather information and/or keep an eye on known 
DE contacts there: today I think he may be.

And yes, any spies still active will be useful in DH.

7. Would we ever learn why James and Lily refused DD's offer to be 
their secret keeper?

Ceridwen:
I think we'll find out the significant things from that time period.  
It's important to the backstory of the book and to an understanding 
of how things went so wrong.  The Potters didn't have to die.  It was 
a series of mistakes, culminating with Pettigrew's treachery, that 
got them in a position to be killed.  We'll need to learn something 
about GH, and the SK situation, in my opinion.


8. How did Remus learn what Sirius wanted to happen on Prank night? 
Would that ever be important? Come to think of it, would Shrieking
shack play a part in book 7 again?

Ceridwen:
I've heard a lot of speculation about how Remus might have heard, and 
when.  Personally, I think that James told him, or made Sirius tell 
him, after James saved Snape's life.  No matter what Sirius intended, 
this wasn't a prank, it was endangering lives and futures - Snape's 
and James's lives, and Remus's future if not his life as well.  I 
can't imagine James, who seems to have been both a prankster and 
outgoing, not telling Remus, or making sure he was told, and as soon 
Remus could stand to hear the news.  Who knew, at the time, what the 
consequences might be?  It would only be right to tell Remus.

And, I expect that at least Sirius and James got into some sort of 
trouble over it, Sirius more than James.  Remus would have to have 
known something was up, and may have been told then, if he wasn't 
before.  But, I think James would have told him as soon as possible.


9. Trelawney made a true prophecy in PoA. If we are to believe DD it 
was her second true prediction. Would any other predictions of hers 
come true in book 7?

Ceridwen:
I don't think Trelawney's a fraud as much as she's insecure with such 
a capricious talent.  She tries to force it, and so makes bogus 
predictions.  But, if you look at it like photography, there are a 
lot of horrible pics taken in order to get a saleable one.  When she 
is just turning cards over in HBP, her predictions seem to come true, 
though she argues with her inner muse or higher power or whatever it 
is that guides this talent.

I don't know if any of her predictions will be important in DH, but 
it might be funny if one did.  I think some of her predictions will 
play out in the epilogue, but only the ones made on the spur of the 
moment, not the ones she uses to try and impress (agreeing with Jen: 
poor Ginny!)

Very nice questions!  Very nice!  Thanks for the hard work!

Ceridwen.