don't even try to imagine what's next
Jul. 23rd, 2005 02:04 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
aruanThat's largely what I learned from The Unofficial Guide to the Mysteries of Harry Potter, Books 1-4. While reading, I kept wanting to smack myself in the head for not seeing things before they happened because she's given us every hint to figure them out; but hindsight is always 20/20, and really, unless you're fluent in mythology and a dozen other books and television series, not to mention a cunning linguist (I can't believe I just had occasion to use that in a proper sense), you're better off just reading and leaving the analysis for after you close the back cover.
Now, many of the ideas posed are merely speculation and theory, but man. The book was written in fairly elementary language, but if you can roll your eyes, it's an intriguing read, as evidenced by the kind of highlighting and in-margin writing for which bookstores won't buy textbooks back.
Besides teaching a great guideline to reading between Rowling's lines and cultivating an appreciation for the intricacy of her foreshadowing events that will happen books and books from when they're first hinted at, the book made surprisingly decent cases for:
-Neville having been hit with a particularly powerful Memory Charm (that or being hit too young) and that being the culprit for his bumbling now. What if Bellatrix and company tortured the Longbottoms first, either for the information to the Potters' whereabouts, their own knowledge of whatever the Potters knew and had to go into hiding because of? Or a hundred other things, but Neville, being as young as he would've been he still could've remembered some things, like Harry, saw/overheard something? Or maybe he was zapped as a precautionary measure, so he wouldn't become powerful prophecy or no. Or maybe a member of the Order did it to erase the horror of watching his parents suffer?
-Snape being a vampire. From Lupin's ostensibly retaliatory essay on vampires to Quirrell looking for a vampire book, and at least two references to his being like/able to transform into a bat (yes, kind of cliched and conventional of her, but stay with me) with one of those references coming from a joke Ron made (which are usually right on the nose, like Hermione's analyses [but only if her emotions aren't involved]), his physical appearance, that he lives in the dungeons (though he can be out in the daylight, see: Quidditch games)... It seems like the easy answer is my only reason for questioning it. That and I've read fic in which here's a vampire, and it's never good.
-Lupin being James Potter. Yeah, I know, this is one you'll have to follow me on. What if Lupin and James decided to take their own precaution in case anyone found out about the Fidelius Charm, not because they doubted Sirius, but because they wanted to make sure that a descendent of Godric Gryffindor (James being from that side of the family is not in question) survived? Or whatever reason, but Lupin's willingness to sacrifice himself wouldn't strike me as odd, even if it turns out we never really knew him at all. And something like, say, an incredibly complex Switching Spell would mean they could change just bodies, so James would essentially be Lupin, werewolf included, in every other way.
In the books, Lupin freaks on Trelawney when she offers to crystal-gaze for him, which isn't about his being a werewolf because the entire staff was told that before he arrived. He is surprised when Harry tells him that he hears his dad's voice ("You heard James?" said Lupin in a strange voice) in his Dementor-induced flashbacks. Saying "now that we could all transform" when he's telling the story of how the Marauders came to be instead of saying "now that they could all transform," as Lupin didn't have a choice and wouldn't have worded it like he did. Lupin has "no hesitation" asserting what James would think at another point. And finally, Lupin's first name, Remus, is a mythological character murdered by his brother or his followers - i.e. their best friend Pettigrew. There are other clues offered by the book, but those I could either explain in some other way or dismiss.
The wrench in that equation is, as always, Sirius. Of all people, he'd be able to tell the difference between James and Lupin lickety-split. Is that a secret he could keep? He could see the logic - heck, he might have been solely responsible for the switch to Pettigrew at the last minute, his own way to ensure that anyone who thought he was the Secret-Keeper would be useless to Voldemort's minions.
Argh.
As an aside, all evidence considered, I can't see how Snape could be spying for the Order as a Death Eater. Maybe as an Animagus, though Voldemort is fucking uncanny with his ability to smell deception, even that's a sketch prospect.
But then, I continue to believe, through my own interpretations of events and numerous conversations with![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
walkingshadow, that Dumbledore is an evil puppetmaster who's pulling everyone's strings without regard for the body count, or who those casualties may be, even though there's been no explicit evidence that any or all of that is true (keeping in mind that I haven't read Book Six).
In any event, a second look at Book Five and copious note-taking to see if I've learned anything is next up for the afternoon's pleasures.
Now, many of the ideas posed are merely speculation and theory, but man. The book was written in fairly elementary language, but if you can roll your eyes, it's an intriguing read, as evidenced by the kind of highlighting and in-margin writing for which bookstores won't buy textbooks back.
Besides teaching a great guideline to reading between Rowling's lines and cultivating an appreciation for the intricacy of her foreshadowing events that will happen books and books from when they're first hinted at, the book made surprisingly decent cases for:
-Neville having been hit with a particularly powerful Memory Charm (that or being hit too young) and that being the culprit for his bumbling now. What if Bellatrix and company tortured the Longbottoms first, either for the information to the Potters' whereabouts, their own knowledge of whatever the Potters knew and had to go into hiding because of? Or a hundred other things, but Neville, being as young as he would've been he still could've remembered some things, like Harry, saw/overheard something? Or maybe he was zapped as a precautionary measure, so he wouldn't become powerful prophecy or no. Or maybe a member of the Order did it to erase the horror of watching his parents suffer?
-Snape being a vampire. From Lupin's ostensibly retaliatory essay on vampires to Quirrell looking for a vampire book, and at least two references to his being like/able to transform into a bat (yes, kind of cliched and conventional of her, but stay with me) with one of those references coming from a joke Ron made (which are usually right on the nose, like Hermione's analyses [but only if her emotions aren't involved]), his physical appearance, that he lives in the dungeons (though he can be out in the daylight, see: Quidditch games)... It seems like the easy answer is my only reason for questioning it. That and I've read fic in which here's a vampire, and it's never good.
-Lupin being James Potter. Yeah, I know, this is one you'll have to follow me on. What if Lupin and James decided to take their own precaution in case anyone found out about the Fidelius Charm, not because they doubted Sirius, but because they wanted to make sure that a descendent of Godric Gryffindor (James being from that side of the family is not in question) survived? Or whatever reason, but Lupin's willingness to sacrifice himself wouldn't strike me as odd, even if it turns out we never really knew him at all. And something like, say, an incredibly complex Switching Spell would mean they could change just bodies, so James would essentially be Lupin, werewolf included, in every other way.
In the books, Lupin freaks on Trelawney when she offers to crystal-gaze for him, which isn't about his being a werewolf because the entire staff was told that before he arrived. He is surprised when Harry tells him that he hears his dad's voice ("You heard James?" said Lupin in a strange voice) in his Dementor-induced flashbacks. Saying "now that we could all transform" when he's telling the story of how the Marauders came to be instead of saying "now that they could all transform," as Lupin didn't have a choice and wouldn't have worded it like he did. Lupin has "no hesitation" asserting what James would think at another point. And finally, Lupin's first name, Remus, is a mythological character murdered by his brother or his followers - i.e. their best friend Pettigrew. There are other clues offered by the book, but those I could either explain in some other way or dismiss.
The wrench in that equation is, as always, Sirius. Of all people, he'd be able to tell the difference between James and Lupin lickety-split. Is that a secret he could keep? He could see the logic - heck, he might have been solely responsible for the switch to Pettigrew at the last minute, his own way to ensure that anyone who thought he was the Secret-Keeper would be useless to Voldemort's minions.
Argh.
As an aside, all evidence considered, I can't see how Snape could be spying for the Order as a Death Eater. Maybe as an Animagus, though Voldemort is fucking uncanny with his ability to smell deception, even that's a sketch prospect.
But then, I continue to believe, through my own interpretations of events and numerous conversations with
walkingshadow, that Dumbledore is an evil puppetmaster who's pulling everyone's strings without regard for the body count, or who those casualties may be, even though there's been no explicit evidence that any or all of that is true (keeping in mind that I haven't read Book Six).In any event, a second look at Book Five and copious note-taking to see if I've learned anything is next up for the afternoon's pleasures.
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no subject
Date: July 23rd, 2005 09:41 pm (UTC)The Snape!Vampire thing has been definitely, unequivocally denied by Rowling. She said on the whole she likes to see the theories people come up with, but this was just too far out. As to:
In the books, Lupin freaks on Trelawney when she offers to crystal-gaze for him, which isn't about his being a werewolf because the entire staff was told that before he arrived.
Lupin is scared of luminous orbs, as witnessed by his Boggart.
("You heard James?" said Lupin in a strange voice)
That makes the most sense as an emotional reaction, to me. They were old friends, it hit me when I read it how strange and moving that would have to have been for Lupin. Like a little piece of someone long gone that you never thought it possible you'd get to see. I was quite moved when I read that bit.
Saying "now that we could all transform" when he's telling the story of how the Marauders came to be instead of saying "now that they could all transform," as Lupin didn't have a choice and wouldn't have worded it like he did.
That absolutely strikes me as the natural way to word it. It's what I would have said, because now the emphasis is on all of them doing it together, where at first the other boys were held back.
no subject
Date: July 24th, 2005 01:18 pm (UTC)Well, she might also have predicted some horrible prophecy role he'll play, too. :) She's been known to and all that.
I still say that transformation statement is strange, because Lupin has no choice in transforming, so it's not a matter of convenience for him that he can call on anytime to maraud with the rest of them. I bet he probably got rather envious when they chose to roam the castle grounds on their own sometimes. I see the argument for it meaning nothing, but it is interesting that you can tilt it another way that can be supported by facts.
Lupin really does break me heart. I've loved him from the first, and everything we've learned since then through the books, in fic, and of course, David Thewlis, have ebbed it none. Thanks for the insight - journalism has made me a bit of a conspiracy theorist, and while that's not necessarily wrong in the world of Harry Potter, JKR tends to be a bit more straightforward with her characters than some like to think.
no subject
Date: July 24th, 2005 07:52 am (UTC)*cries*
I was going to mention that JKR has sworn up and down that Snape isn't a vampire, but
That Neville story I was talking about is Lightning Has Just Struck My Brain. It's very short and very chilling. Whether or not the canon has borne it out, I am NOT ALLOWED TO SAY.
no subject
Date: July 24th, 2005 01:29 pm (UTC)Uh, the first one is the only question I mean, as you know and wouldn't have answered the second one anyway.
So.fucking.sad. Lupin and Sirius break my heart in unimaginable ways, and the anger I have for that and what Harry's endured at the Dursleys is what's driving the whole conspiracy theory. Looking at all the facts, especially now that I've had a review of the first four books, it doesn't make any less sense that Dumbledore, if not outright evil, isn't a ruthless general.
[reads fic]
Oh holy the fuck christ. First of all, [whimper]. Second, oh shit, I never thought of it quite like that before. Man, what a plan. Not surprising at all, but what a fucking masterpiece of a plan.
Did I mention [whimper]?
no subject
Date: July 24th, 2005 09:12 pm (UTC)wrt fleshing out any outstanding theories, conspiracy or otherwise: I would wrap up any loose ends you may have, as new canon is sometimes severely Jossed canon, if you catch my meaning.
Did I mention [whimper]?
:-D Ain't it a kick in the pants? I couldn't believe I hadn't saved it, but I found it after minimal poking around on the internets (and in the process stumbled across many high-quality recs, and I might—might—be on the verge of a HP fic renaissance. In my world, every day is the fifteenth century!) but yeah, that story makes such a great coda to OotP (though I've still got no comment on how it's borne out in HBP).
no subject
Date: July 25th, 2005 12:24 am (UTC)All I've got is loose ends! And I'm not sure I catch your meaning about new canon being already Jossed. It's usually the new canon that Josses everything we already think we hold dear and true. Does JKR contradict herself?
In my world, every day is the fifteenth century! I love your deep and abiding history dorkdom. You don't even know how hard I laughed. :) I'm on the verge of two renaissances right now, as if I had time for even one. But I've got time enough to sit around drinking coffee and gabbing Harry Potter. [nudge]
P.S. Love the icon.
no subject
Date: July 25th, 2005 06:30 am (UTC)Well, it might have been me throwing around fannish terminology willy-nilly, in an attempt to prove I was one of the cool kids who was hip to the lingo. Obviously I am not. I just meant that we construct theories of what will happen based on what has already happened, and then we find out what officially happens, meaning we have to start over or incorporate the new stuff.
Long weekend with you in Gainesville sounds great (except for, like, the Gainesville part?) especially the thing where we might get to gab about Harry Potter—the only thing to arrange would be transportation and a money source, as I have none (though more fun conversations about What Am I Going To Do With My Life? have been had! Where by "fun" I mean "shoot me now kthx"). More on that as it develops.
Icon is by
no subject
Date: July 28th, 2005 01:50 am (UTC)Yeah, it's Gainesville, but it's summer which means there's parking, the rain has been at bay for a couple of days yet it's been fairly decent (and breezy!) outside. We could feed you if you can hop a bus. Tell your parents it's a journey of enlightenment, that by returning to your higher academic roots, you hope to gain a deeper understanding of your True Path.
As to what you should be doing with your life, I got good advice the other day - make your weaknesses your strengths. However, I'm also fond of the metaphor of fucking around until you find what pleases you. Or, barring all of the above, you can always solicit one of the Web sites you frequent and see if they need people, as qualified fans with degreed backgrounds and a mastery of grammar (though not even that much is necessary to be Student Senate President, oy) aren't exactly plentiful. And just remember that nobody "went wrong" anywhere - you've got two degrees including an independent study/thesis-esque class. That it may largely have happened at the last minute is irrelevant - that's precisely the reason why I keep trying to woo you to news. As another person with social phobias, talking to someone with a badge on your chest is so much easier than chatting up the next guy in line at the grocery store.
And irregardless of everything else, [mwah]. For reals.
no subject
Date: July 31st, 2005 04:13 am (UTC)Hee, thanks! Huh, with all the GoF caps floating around (so I hear, anyway; I don't actually have the hookup) you'd think old Rita would be somewhere around, right?
Okay, trip to Gainesville obviously did not work out this weekend, which sucks (but didja read HBP anyway? Didja?); family in town for the next two weekends. Are you coming in during intersession? And when does the semester start? I'd come visit during the fall, but I know you've got the paper running full time then and will be craaaazay busy; of course, I also happen to know that you will need desperately to be dragged away from it. So let me know? I'd love to see you and, you know, *talk* for a while with you. How are you? Hmm, maybe I could pick up the phone.
make your weaknesses your strengths
Okay, that's good, that's good—though I'm not sure what that translates into in practical terms. Wouldn't it be easier to make my strengths my strengths? Your idea re: fannish website employment solicitation is an intriguing one, and one I must pick your brain about more.
And just remember that nobody "went wrong" anywhere - you've got two degrees including an independent study/thesis-esque class.
Hey, yeah! I do! I forget about all that in the middle of like, the anxiety and self-loathing and navel-gazing. I go back and forth ten times a day on whether I can do anything in the world or nothing at all. Some days I know I'm brilliant, and other days I'm just as sure I'll never hold a candle to anyone I admire. Aw, the navel-gazing's leaking into your journal now. *mops up*
(Also, also, I might possibly be on the verge of writing a crazily-ambitious HP fic, just maybe. Pls send help omg.)