Things Not Overtly Mentioned In Canon

[Geoff Bannister]

No: HPFGUIDX 178205

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "or.phan_ann" <orphan_ann at ...> wrote:
>
> In message 178183, Geoff Bannister wrote:
> 
> > Geoff:
> > Yes, but I meant in the sense of going for a bath for              
> > cleaning purposes and going to the toilet for... well- er -yes.
> > 
> > One does not usually use a toilet for one's cottage                
> > industrial production line, does one?
> 
> Ann:
> Dear Mr Bannister,
> 
> It is most genteel of you to agree with my argument, and I can but 
> hope that you extend this courtesy to the rest of my points. I must, 
> however, note that in your gallantry you have made yourself a little 
> unrefined for the politest society. I hope that you will in future 
> repair such a minor deficiency, and refrain from bringing a blush to 
> the cheeks of the ladies onlist. 

Geoff:
Having avoided any words of questionable etymology and also any 
unseemly euphemisms, I thought I had replied in exemplary fashion. 
However, having decided, in view of my increasing age which, like 
most people, I find difficult to avoid,  that it perhaps time that I made 
an executive decision to grow old disgracefully.

Ann:
> You also mentioned the etiquette of cottage industrial chemistry. 
> Given the convenience of sinks, running water, drainage, and the fact 
> that a bathtub of normal size is large enough to serve as a 
> replacement for even a size ten cauldron, I have no hesitation in 
> stating that a bathroom is, at least on a practical note, ideal for 
> practising industrial chemistry. 

Geoff:
May I remind you that I was making references to Mr.Harry Potter and 
to his habits while resident in Hogwarts school where he would, with 
his contemporaries, be using toilets designed for public use rather 
than individual domestic style ones. Therefore, I would not expect to 
find a bathtub of any size in such a situation. Certainly Miss Granger 
and Messrs.Potter and Weasley did not appear to have access to such 
equipment in their production of Polyjuice Potion.

I still maintain my original stance that we have no canon referring to 
Harry performing personal ablutions in any detail as an example of
the fact that many everyday routines do not really impinge on the 
development of the story.

Ann:
> There are but two quibbles. A gentleman such as yourself will 
> already have installed a lock on the door to prevent the inevitable 
> noxious fumes escaping, but one should also be careful not to 
> practise chemistry in the sole bathroom of the house, thereby 
> disturbing other residents, both alive and undead.

Geoff:
I fail to see why locking the cubicle door will prevent the escape of
fumes. Toliets are not usually fitted with airtight doors - at least in 
the UK.

Ann: 
> I hope this eliminates your uncertainty in etiquette. If you have any 
> more, of whatever degree, do send me an owl at the usual address.

Geoff:
I don't think I do feel uncertain. I feel that, perhaps, we are singing 
from different editions of the Hogwarts etiquette songsheet.....

Thank you for your esteemed communication.

Sincerely

Geoff Bannister

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