The scar

[Carol]

No: HPFGUIDX 182645

Barry wrote:
>
> I was wondering why Harry had a scar shaped like lightning rather
than a smudge. A zig-zag lightning shape is, of course, a symbol of
power. Yet the power that creates lightning is an electronic one.
Rowlings has been quoted here as saying that magic negates
electricity. So a magic person wears a sign of a power that is negated
by magic! Am I reading this correctly?

>
Carol responds:

Since this is the second time you've asked and no one else has
answered you, I'll just say quickly that JKR said in some early
interview or other (you can find the quotes through Leaky or the
Lexicon) that the shape of the scar is not the most important thing
about it. (We know what *that* meant now!)

And while Rowling (no "s"), or JKR as we call her here, did say
something about electrical and electronic devices not working at
Hogwarts because there's too much magic, I think she was primarily
finding a way to keep students from having computers and so forth, so
they use quills for writing, candles for lighting, candles for heat,
etc.--all very gothic and medieval, to go along with the cloaks and
robes (and broomsticks).

I don't think that the lightning-bolt shape of Harry's scar has
anything to do with lightning, any more than it represents an Eihwaz
rune 9protection) as I used to think. Sure, he was struck by an evil
spell, but Avada Kedavra doesn't leave a mark, so probably (this is
just my own view) the jagged cut was caused by the Killing Curse
bursting *out* of Harry's forehead (leaving a nice opening for the
soul bit to enter through).

Of course, on a more mundane level, a jagged scar that resembles a
lightning bolt is more distinctive than "smudge" or a circle, and she
wanted Harry to be distinctive, all eyes going immediately to his
forehead when people first see or meet him.

Carol, hoping that you won't find her answer *too* disappointing