[HPforGrownups] HBP post DH look chapter 5

[Philip]

No: HPFGUIDX 184324

Alla says:
Wait, we know now that Tonks was really depressed over Lupin, was she 
ever in shock over Sirius or not? And if she was, and her powers were 
affected, why Harry's were not?



Philip responds: 

If we assume that she was affected by the death of Sirius, it wouldn't be
unusual that it affected Harry differently. People deal with grief in
different ways, Harry seems to have used it as a shield against his
connection Voldemort (noticeably after Dobby, but a similar effect (the
blocking of his mind from Voldemort) occurred after Sirius death. 

 

Even if he didn't know the reason then - and despite Dumbledore suggesting
an alternative 'love' (which is connected at any rate), I still think grief
was responsible for both temporary barriers.

 

In the immediacy after his death Harry was also affected somewhat. The use
of an Unforgivable and the vengeance we saw was never before seen (I know he
didn't know them before, but acting out of vengeance, was, up until then,
not in Harry's persona).

 

Tonks meanwhile is a Metamorphmagus and as such her magic power, appearance
and mental state are always closely linked. I looked for a specific
reference, but it appears the movies took more liberties on this one.
Despite the lack of reference, I do think that this is case. So the fact the
'she is having trouble morphing' is a result of the link between mental
state and magical abilities.

 

As a character, Tonks has always struck me as a character who's inherent
magic - similar to the stunts Harry performed without a wand - have stayed
with her in a very confined form (Meta-morphing). This reflects her
attitude, clumsiness and such.

 

I doubt we'll ever know the extent to which Sirius and Remus were each
responsible for her mental state - unless anyone has any specific
references.

 

Philip