Current FAQ Poll

[Talisman]

Hmmm.  What to do about the FAQ poll. 

Already-answered question number 3 is obviously a test to see who is 
sleeping at the wheel. 

Question 1 is currently in the lead: *What happens to a secret when 
the Secret-Keeper dies?*

I'd have thought we had enough information from Book 3, where Sirius 
admonishes Pettigrew that he should have died rather than reveal the 
secret.  I would seem from this statement (which appears to be 
shared by Lupin) that if Pettigrew had chosen to go to his grave 
with closed lips, the secret (and the Potters) would have remained 
safe (PoA 375).

Flitwick's explanation to Madame Rosmerta, with 
Fudge/Hagrid/McGonagall's tacit assent, explains that, once 
concealed in the soul, the secret is *henceforth impossible to find--
unless...the Secret-Keeper chooses to divulge it* (205). No 
requirement for continued life included.

Additionally, we are told that Voldemort could *have his nose 
pressed against their sitting room window* and yet not find the 
Potters, as long as the Keeper kept the secret (205).  

If the Keeper's death would have allowed Voldemort to see the 
Potters when he--or his henchmen--cast their eyes on the Potter 
abode, it would have been minimally useful, albeit a fine gesture, 
for Pettigrew to stand and be zapped.  

Indeed, if the death of the Keeper negated the charm, the whole 
business would seem a rickety piece of work, considering the war-
time mortality rate of the Order.  

But, again, we know that James's reasoning in choosing Sirius was 
his belief that Sirius would, in fact, opt to die rather than reveal-
-indicating that James also believed that the secret would remain  
safe, if held to the death (205).

I'm satisfied.

That leaves question 2.  Yes, I know we've seen the Diary Hx 
destroyed, but, afterall, it was destroyed with the venomous fang of 
a rare magical creature--by a boy chock-full of the Hx-maker's 
essence--and while it's contents was out for a stroll.

Chucking the Diary in the toilet--generally destructive to books--
wasn't sufficient.  It's not clear that the Diary Hx--along with 
it's malignant resident-- would have been destroyed if, say, Ron, 
had simply tried to rip it up.

Afterall, why didn't DD deploy a Special Ops team of Order members 
to find and smash Hxes? Why is he so bent on it being young Harry's 
solo mission?  Oh, right.  He gets his teenage sidekicks, too.

I mean, according to the old duffer's most recent version, the 
Prophecy is hooey. And, you do trust him don't you? <veg>

DD, circa HBP, has restyled the Prophecy as simply the otherwise 
meaningless reason that Voldemort won't rest until he whacks Harry, 
but why should that mean that only Harry can destroy Hxes, or the 
Dark Lord proper?

The *it's just choices* explanation doesn't cover the nut.

I suppose it may be that DD doesn't trust his lovely Order. What 
with Tonks tripping over cursed items, Lupin needing to appear at 
werewolf functions, Hagrid's stealth problems, McGonagall's 
rheumatism, Moody's clunky leg, the Weasely elder's general 
ineptitude, and Voldemort practicing Legilimens on everyone. 

Must have thought Snape would be busy elsewhere, eh?

And, of course, they went to the expense of axing Sirius to make 
Harry Voldie-proof. <g>

Still, I'm thinking number 2 holds the most promise.

Talisman, willing to hear other ideas on the subject.

PS
The main reason people might be interested in number 1, is the idea 
that Number 12 Grimmauld Place could be insecure if DD is really 
dead.  

But of course, all of the Order knows about the events on the 
parapet, and, if there were any question as to HQ security, they 
could simply go wherever they went at the beginning of HBP (when 
ownership was in doubt) until a new S.K. can be slapped together.  

Just not enough plot mileage there.