CHAPDISC: PS/SS 1, The Boy Who Lived

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 187700


 "trianarose" wrote:
>> 1. Why do you think Dumbledore did not want to take away Harry's scar?

Potioncat:
I think he already expected the Prophecy to kick in. DD recognized the scar as the literal manifestation from "he will mark him as his equal." I don't know if he already suspected the scar carried magical properties of its own. This gives Harry two types of magic working for him--the ancient love magic that his mother set in place, and the magic LV accidentally gave him. DD may have suspected that much--the extra magic.

> > 2. Why do you think Dumbledore just left Harry with a note, instead of actually talking to the Dursleys?

Potioncat:
The first time I read it, it reminded me of the stock "baby left on doorstep" so I didn't give it much thought. It was part of the other mysterious (then) happenings that were going on.

Looking back now, I guess this is one of our first hints that DD doesn't give out much information. What a terrible way to tell someone her sister has been killed. How much did he put in the note? Did Petunia really know what she was agreeing to?  Did he call upon her youthful desire to be a witch? 


> > 4. Do you think it was really necessary for Professor McGonagall to stay a cat all day?

Potioncat:
Yes, if the alternative was for her to hang around in her wizarding clothing all day. I think she was more comfortable as a cat in that setting. Besides, everybody wants to be a cat
.


Message #187671

Laura:
> 
> Why did Dumbledore withhold so much information from Professor
> McGonagall.  She is his second in command and, should something
> happen to him, the most likely person to be able to continue with his
> plan.  Why didn't he tell her more?

Potioncat:
Once upon a time, when we all thought DD was Father Christmas, God and Merlin all rolled into one, many of us became suspicious of Minerva. Certainly if DD didn't trust her, we shouldn't! There were lot's of ESE!McGongall posts. Now we know that DD doesn't tell much to anyone. 

However, I disagree that she is his second in command. She is his deputy headmistress at Hogwarts, but not in the OoP. Come to think of it, I don't think he ever has a second in command in his war against LV--and that was part of the problem.


> Message #187681
Alla:
> 
>What does the conversation between Vernon and Petunia tells you >about the dynamics in Dursleys' household? Why does Vernon refer to >Harry as Howard? Is it because he heard Hogwarts at some points and >this rhymes with this word somewhat and this is what he remembered? >Or is it because it is just another variety of nasty common name for >Vernon?

Potioncat:
Vernon knows that Lily and James are strange, but I wonder how much he really knew before Harry showed up. He didn't recognize the wizarding folk as such. We're told the Dursleys pretend Petunia doesn't have a sister. Yet, we know that Petunia sent Lily a vase for Christmas one year. Is Petunia secretly in touch with Lily? DD may have good reason to expect Petunia would be willing to take Harry. 

Back to the dynamics, it seems to me Petunia and Vernon take turns being the bossy one. Vernon often defers to her, but there are times that he seems to be the one in charge.