Responses to Marietta (was: Misc. responses, some quite old)

[wynnleaf]

No: HPFGUIDX 169265


>
> From: wynnleaf <fairwynn at ...>
> >4.  The hex can be fixed by other adults, but they haven't done 
that
> >yet because they feel Marietta should continue to be punished a 
bit
> >longer.  Once again, this flies in the face of canon where we're 
told
> >that others weren't able to cure the hex.  We have canon evidence 
that
> >Marietta's mother would likely have supported her and would,
> >therefore, likely have done whatever possible to get the hex 
reversed.  
>
Bart:
> That was based on the in-canon indications of Hermione's lack of 
originality in spellcasting, which makes it HIGHLY unlikely that she 
could come up with a spell that experts can't undo. Therefore we 
have it in canon that: 
> 
> A) Hermione cast the spell.
> B) Nobody HAS undone the spell.
> C) It is highly unlikely that nobody CAN undo the spell. 
> 
> Therefore, if people can, but people don't, it is likely that 
people won't.
> 

wynnleaf
The reader knows that Marietta's pustules are due to a hex on the 
list of names that she signed.  As far as I know, no characters 
other than the Trio have the slightest idea of what caused 
Marietta's hex.  In fact, Marietta herself, because of having her 
memory alerted, probably doesn't even remember signing the list, 
much less have any clue that her pustules came from a spell 
associated with the club's membership list.

As far as the adult characters know, Marietta's face broke out in 
the pustules at the time she went to talk to Umbridge.  They have no 
explanation as to why the pustules appeared.  None of the adults 
have been told anything about the hex, its origins, what Marietta 
did to "commit herself" to some sort of magical contract, or even 
that the hex is somehow associated with a magical contract (albeit a 
hidden contract that not even the signers were aware of).  

When Montague was injured and Pomfrey and others seemed unable to 
reverse the damage to him, Hermione wondered if they should tell the 
adults about what happened to Montague, thinking that such 
information might help in curing him.  While the Trio, including 
Hermione, decided against that action, that scene does provide 
evidence that the source of a magical injury may be necessary in 
curing its effects.  And clearly, Hermione is *aware* that such 
knowledge may be necessary.  Yet Hermione has not offered to provide 
such information regarding Marietta's hex.  Not surprising.  If she 
was willing to let her friends talk her into supressing info that 
could help Montague's possible brain injuries, it's not surprising 
that she wouldn't help Marietta either -- even though Hermione was 
the originator of Marietta's hex.

As regards whether the hex is one invented by Hermione, I agree, 
Bart, that it's probably not created by her.  Hermione is very 
bright, but that's not the same as being very creative.  We haven't 
really seen examples of Hermione being highly original or creative, 
and instead, she seems suspicious of anything that's not 
been "validated" through publication -- a rather immature approach 
to learning, imo, particularly for a very bright kid.

wynnleaf