Bloody Relics and Unexpected Tasks

[Talisman]

We know that Voldemort is the last descendant of Salazar Slytherin's 
line, now fortuitously reconstituted and active in the WW (thanks to 
DD's tireless efforts). 

Rowling has nixed Harry as an heir to Gryffindor, so the money is  
on DD as having been in Godric's family tree, leaving the 
redoubtable Aberforth as an extant member of that blood line 
(assuming DD *is* even dead, which, I agree, is no sure thing.)  
This comports nicely with Rowling's suggestion that DD's family line 
is of future interest.

To this I add Zacharias Smith, a Hufflepuff --who, along with his 
father--displays a certain, shall we say, aristocratic haughtiness.  
I'm betting that he is  related to Hepzibah Smith, and so a blood 
heir to Helga Hufflepuff.

What we have, then, on the eve of Book 7, is a gathering of the 
blood.  A small matter of identifying a Ravenclaw descendant, and we 
are ready for some serious Founders' mojo.

Just what will come of it remains to be seen, but I'm betting that 
the need for Slyth blood is one of the reasons DD has kept LV around 
all these years.

As to the location of Hxes, I don't really expect that to take as 
much time as might otherwise be anticipated.  The bloodline 
contingent  might come in handy here, too, though it's not the only 
reason they are *on stage.*

For one thing, though she's an awful fibber, Rowling moderated the 
Mugglenetters expostulations-- regarding the difference, going into 
Book 7, of our *knowing* what Harry has to do--with the quiet 
suggestion that Harry (and the giddy interviewers) might *think* he 
knows what he has to do, but there will be at least one, hmmmmm, 
shall we say "unexpected task," which I'm betting will throw things 
rather a different way.

For another, we know from Hepzibah Smith that the Founders' relics 
have special powers, all their own.  She only dabbled with the 
powers imbued in the Hufflepuff Cup.  Perhaps simply out of the 
greater interest she had in her ancestor's item, but also possibly 
because a "true heir" would have more success with the powers of a 
given ancestor's relic.  If so, she wouldn't have bothered 
experimenting with the Slyth pendant, not being blood-linked to 
activate it's powers.  

If Rowling has made good her claim of leaving sufficient clues, it 
would seem that additional HX clues are to be found in CoS--again, 
confirming the link between Books 2 and 6--and making good Rowling's 
other claim: that Harry learned something important in Book 2 to 
that relates to Book 6.

Harry *did* use a Founder's object in CoS to defeat a *version* of  
LV, and a troublesome serpent in his employ. (A nice bit of 
foreshadowing/mirror symmetry.)

Fawkes showed up to assist Harry.  I think we have to conclude that 
this was per DD's instructions, not merely due to Harry's *loyalty* 
(which, as I've argued before, was not particularly in play at the 
time, and which would warrant questioning why Fawkes doesn't show up 
in all of Harry's other confrontations, or even on behalf of other 
*loyal* order members, etc.)

Fawkes delivers the Sorting Hat.  I'm guessing this was per DD's 
instructions, as well.

Harry asks for help, and the sword appears.  Later, DD tells him 
that "only a true Gryffindor" could have pulled the sword out of the 
hat.

Well, DD is a bit of a fibber, himself.  Harry isn't literally a 
*true Gryffindor,* certainly not in the way Tom Riddle/LV is a *true 
Slytherin.*  But DD, who *is* a true Gryffindor, had a point to 
make, or maybe two.

Our silver-bearded heir of Gryffindor likely directed the sword to 
respond to Harry. Not only did he want to save Harry's buns and 
secure Harry's identification with/ownership of his place in 
Gryffindor House, but he has given a little lesson in what a *true 
heir* can do vis-a-vis the hat, with it's bits of  Founders' brains, 
and a bona fide Founder's relic.

If the Slyth pendant isn't just waiting for Harry in Kreature's 
nest, available even by the master's command, then perhaps LV put 
enough of himself into Harry to allow the boy to conjure it out of 
the old chapeau.

Zacharias will have to be reasoned with, but after all, he has a 
claim to the cup and might want it back for his Hope chest.

Who will the Ravenclaw assistant be? Luna? That would be dandy.  It 
would teach a thing or two to the Ravenclaws who don't think she 
*belongs in their house.*  She'd certainly be willing enough to help 
Harry defeat the Dark Lord.

As for the non-Founders' item Hxes, LV will be coming after Harry, 
or easy enough to bait if he is being coy, and Nagini is never too 
far from his side. Alternatively, Harry has the touted scar-link and 
can work on homing-in on the Dark Lair, should  Mohammad need to 
come to the Mountain.

Now, why do we need Voldemort and Aberforthfs blood. Something to 
gnaw on, here.

Talisman, thinking that what with untapped special powers and scraps 
of tainted soul, those relics are fairly exploding with potential.

P.S.
Having found a little HP time, Ifve finally commenced a response to 
Potioncat (and Catlady) regarding the Hawthorne /Northrup Frye 
comments on TOL.  Soon, soon...but you know it is much lighter work 
to ask gwhyh than to explain.