Changes I would make.

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 177475

---  "eggplant107" <eggplant107 at ...> wrote:
>
>  Random832 <random832@> wrote:
>  
> > all this is ignoring the fact that
> > the characteristic pattern could
> > very well be a spiral rather than a helix.
> 
> No it could not. Steam rising in a characteristic 
> spiral pattern is a logical impossibility. If a 
> spiral is rising then it's not a spiral
> ...
> 

bboyminn:

Oh I really hate to do this because I think you've
reached the lowest point in a discussion when you are
forced to get out the dictionary.

As it turns out, a Spiral is a Helix in a certain 
context.

American Heritage 3rd Edition - CD-ROM

Spiral - a.) ... b.) A three-dimensional curve that 
turns around an axis at a constant or continuously 
varying distance while moving parallel to the axis; 
A HELIX. c.) Something having the form of such a curve:
a spiral of black smoke ...

Spiral in this context is in common usage, and a spiral
of smoke is a common expression. 

Technically you are right, but common overrides
technical when it comes to writing. 

> Eggplant:
> I also think in book 1 it would be better if Marcus 
> Flint, the Slytherin Quidditch Captain, were in his 
> fifth year not his sixth, that way in book 3 poor 
> Marcus won't be in his 8'th year. 

bboyminn:

Hasn't this been fixed in newer version of the books?

> Eggplant:
>
> In book 5 in the final astronomy exam Harry is looking
> at Venus and Orion, but Venus can only be seen near 
> sunrise or sunset and this was about midnight, and 
> Orion is a winter constellation and it was June. ...

bboyminn:

Shaun Hately did an astological analysis of the 
particular scene based on three sets of coordinates 
I gave him for likely locations of Hogwarts. I think
the result was that while it was very difficult, it
was not totally impossible for the book to be correct. 

> Eggplant:
>
> I'd also ask her if the sorting hat stool had 3 legs 
> or 4, there seems to be some  confusion about that. 

bboyminn:

I noticed that too, but then realized that we have no
way of knowing it was the same stool. McGonnagal my 
just grab the first available stool. 

>Eggplant:
> I am also a little uncomfortable with the Harry having
> only 2 living relatives bit; although not mathematically
> imposable it is astronomically unlikely.  
> 

bboyminn:

As I have pointed out many times, I am related to Lymann
Hall, one of the signers of the Declaration of 
Independence. Though, you must also consider that no one
in my immediate family has live in the USA prior to the
20th century. 

The path between myself and Lymann Hall is a long and 
twisted one, but technically, we are related. But I 
absolutely assure you that if myself or anyone in
my immediate family were suddenly orphaned, ABSOLUTELY
NO ONE in the Hall family would be willing to take us in.

It's not that Vernon or Dudley, and Petunia are Harry's
only technically living relatives, it is that they are
his only relatives of any real significants. Further, 
they are EXTREMELY CLOSE relatives.

If one of my nephews was suddenly orphaned are people 
more likely to consider their blood uncles or aunts, or
are the more likely to consider tracking down some
member of the Hall family? 

Yes, it would be possible to track down some obscure
distant relative of Harry's, but they would probably 
be total strangers and not very likely to take him in.
Especially not when a blood Aunt is available.

I think people are taking the 'only living relative'
statement either too literally, or in other cases,
too generally. From any reasonable and practical
perspective Petunia is Harry's only relative. 

Just a few thoughts.

Steve/bboyminn