Question #3a (the question that was apparently missed :-) )

[kennyg1864]

No: HPFGUIDX 183430


...since wizards don't have "fellytones", how do they gossip/spread
rumors in the first chapters of SS/PS? Apparating to your wizard
neighbor, and knocking on the door? (doesn't leave much room for
privacy...) I mean, sure, there's the wizard pubs, but how does
"house-to-house" gossip spread?

And I'm guessing there's a way to "lock out" incoming visitors to your
fireplace, at your home (for obvious reasons) and at shops (else
Mundungus could help himself to your wares at off hours, although I
suppose you could just cast a Caterwauling Charm as you lock up for the
night).

If so, the Floo network doesn't work well for rumor-spreading
(especially at 1 or 2 in the morning on Nov. 1).

So in my mind that leaves:

1. The "remote Patronus" we saw in DH, although it appears to be limited
to a few words.  And it may be that only highly skilled wizards can
conjure the talking variety.

2. Apparating house-to-house, which I guess is OK at 2 am if one has
important news like the death of LV.

3. Owls, but they can't be *that* fast, especially across long distances
like Godric's Hollow to Little Whinging (where there does seem to be an
extraordinary concentration of wizards, doesn't there?)

4. Sticking one's head in the fireplace, but (a) that gets uncomfortable
for serious chatting, and (b)I'm guessing most wizards would have theirs
locked after they go to bed.

5. Wizard pubs, as mentioned above, or even the streets outside them,
but only useful where groups of wizards are actually congregating.

So in SS/PS I'm guessing we had a combination of #2 and 5 (if their pubs
are even open that late!), followed by a flurry of #3.

Any others I'm missing?


kennyg1864, who is frankly baffled by Madam Rosmerta's refusal to
connect her home fireplace to his