Book 7 theories - by Miss Ann Elk (ahem)

[Trapper]

On the idea of Dumbledore's portrait, I'd just like to add my thoughts.

I read the books assuming that skilled artists were as rare in the magical world as they were in our (muggle) world. I assumed that the artists responsible were as rare as the Da Vinci's and Monet's of our world.

I see those portraits as very different from the photographs in The Daily Prophet. Or the collectable cards in Chocolate Frog packs. Or Ron's figurine of Viktor Krum.

The photographs don't speak, for example. They don't capture the whole person, only a moment in time. Thus their ideas are open to Rita Skeeter type misrepresentation. Whereas the portraits literally speak for themselves.

If Dumbledore never sat for a great artist, then he wouldn't have a portrait. Harry's parents never had the social standing to have one done either. So Harry has to make do with his parents waving at him from a photo in which they have no idea about what is to happen to them.

And to give my thoughts on Jenn's question about the Hat giving Harry Godric Gryffindor's sword, my thoughts are that the Hat is one of the few (perhaps the only) Hogwarts relics that GG had a hand in making, thus making it his best avenue through which to shape modern events. Kind of a portkey through time.

[Cameraman Jenn]

That's so funny and I think I did read that before.

I also think that Dumbledore had to have known the origins of the sorting hat. It seems odd that he wouldn't and he was present at the sorting when the sorting hat sang of it's origins which clinches that he DID know.

[Menolly]

True, but he may have first learned of it then? Other than an occasional gleam in his eye, Dumbledore seems quite adept at covering his reaction to new information.

[Cameraman Jenn]

I think that he must have known the origins of an object that is so important to the school. After all, DD has been the headmaster for quite some time.

[A Gunslinger]

I think the hat was used to carry the sword....but it does beg the question as to what else might just BE in the hat.

I'm a Ravenclaw, btw.

[Cameraman Jenn]

Well, actually the sword was not in the hat when Fawkes brought it. It specifically states that the hat was empty but when Harry reached to grab the hat he was able to bring forth the sword from the hat. This is specifically sequenced while Harry is in the Chamber with Riddle and also discussed between Harry and Dumbledore in the meeting following Harry's return from the chamber. I don't have the books here at work but I can look up exact sentences sometime this weekend.

[A Gunslinger]

Well, actually the sword was not in the hat when Fawkes brought it. It specifically states that the hat was empty but when Harry reached to grab the hat he was able to bring forth the sword from the hat. This is specifically sequenced while Harry is in the Chamber with Riddle and also discussed between Harry and Dumbledore in the meeting following Harry's return from the chamber. I don't have the books here at work but I can look up exact sentences sometime this weekend.

To re-word my statement: It does beg the question of what else a given individual might pull from the hat in need. For example, you my sweet, might pull out a whit of common sense so as to accept my Snape theory.

[Cameraman Jenn]

Faugh! Snape's mother was a hamster and his father smelt of elderberry! I fart in the general direction of your Snape/Lily love theory!


I still love YOU though Guns!

[A Gunslinger]

back at ya, baby!

xoxox

[sindatur]

So, did we see evidence of the hat remaining animated after the sword was pulled from it? Is it possible the sword is what gives it life (i's heart and soul)?

[Cameraman Jenn]

Here's the big shootdown of your theory, Guns. Lily and James were going out with each other by either sixth year or seventh year, I'll look it up this weekend. I am sure that Sirius imparted this information after Harry's foray into Snape's memory. That would mean that either Snape's love of Lily was unrequited or that Lily cheated on James with Snape. JKR said that Snape had loved and been loved in return. So that shoots down the unrequited portion of the Lily theory and do you really think that Lily would have cheated on James with Snape? Seriously? Have I gotten you to give up that silly notion yet? How about now?

Sin, the hat is animated quite often without the sword in it. Every sorting in fact and also when it talks to Harry in Dumbledore's office.

[Menolly]

Right, doesn't Dumbledore make the point of expressing interest that Harry pulled that particular object (meaning the sword) from the hat? And that only a true Gryffindore would have done so?

[sindatur]

Sin, the hat is animated quite often without the sword in it. Every sorting in fact and also when it talks to Harry in Dumbledore's office.

Well, the sword would've been put back after Harry used it. I just meant for the time immediately after Harry removes it.

[I'm Murrin]

I believe Dumbledore puts the sword on display in his office, rather than putting it back in the hat.

[Cameraman Jenn]

I'm not sure the sorting hat was animated at all during the entire exchange in the Chamber of Secrets. Fawkes pretty much drops the hat by Harry and Riddle laughs about a bird and a hat being the only help DD sends to Harry. I am not sure the hat actually says or does anything other than lie on the floor of the chamber. I'll go back and double check this weekend.

[sindatur]

I believe Dumbledore puts the sword on display in his office, rather than putting it back in the hat.

And being there on display, it may activate the life in the hat. When Harry reached into the hat, he grabbed the sword from it's resting place on the wall, taking away the hat's life-force until the sword was placed back upon the wall.

Aw, nevermind..

[Cameraman Jenn]

It's an interesting theory Sin, but I think I can shoot it down too. In the sorting hat's song book 4 it indicated that Godric Gryffindor took it off his head and the other founders (excluding Salazar Slytherin whom the hat indicated had already abdicated the school) enchanted the hat and stuffed it full of brains. This would lead me to think that the sorting hat is an object of magic in and of itself.

[A Gunslinger]

I'm not suggesting the Lily returned Snape's love...just that Snape loved HER. Snape has known love...doesn't mean it was direct AT HIM. My thoery is predicated n the notion that the reason Snape turned on Voldy is that he was promised Lily in return for his selling out of James. Voldy killed that which he loved (Lily) and therefore Snape turns to Dumbleodre all torn up.

[sindatur]

I think it's just because, despite what a hateful creep Snape is, his heart isn't as black as he thought, and it's simply that he felt guilty about being responsible for their deaths. This is why he and Dumbledore were so concerned about preventing Draco from crossing that line.

[Cameraman Jenn]

One more try Guns, JKR said "Had known love and been loved in return" that clearly states mutual loving relationship! It doesn't specify romantic love therefore I am totally thinking she meant his mother, Eileen Prince.