I have a couple questions that I have been wondering on a bit this morning. Why did JK make Aberforth a bartender at the Hogshead was that so that he could pass information on to his brother? She could have given him any profession here is another question that I pondered, Dumbledore posted look out to keep an eye on Harry as he was growing up Arabella Figg to name just one. Did he have any one tailing Petunia and Dudley maybe there is a witch or wizard that works at Grunnings that keeps there eye on Vernon? Oh maybe there is a Death Eater scoping them out to kidnap them in order to hurt Harry.

I don't think the wizards were tailing Dudley, Vernon or Petunia, they were not important enough. The protection for Harry was inside the house...not outside, so what the three did outside of the home in their everyday lives was unimportant.
Aberforth's placement at Hog's Head, however, is a factor in keeping his brother informed on many things, I believe. The bar attracted the darker sort of wizard....Voldemort's Death Eaters waited for Voldemort there while he was requesting Dumbledore to allow him to become a teacher at Hogwarts. I believe he also filled Dumbledore in when Harry and Hermione had the initial meeting for the DA. He is the one who caught Snape trying to listen in on Trelawney's interview where he heard part of the prophecy.....well, you get my point!

I agree with you whole heartedly tatewin, I had come to the same conclusion, after asking that very question. Also, although Albus was never secretive about Alberforth being his brother, he didn't volunteer the information. I must confess that on occasion, I had forgotten that alberforth was related to Albus at all, I think that that would put him in a good position to as you say, pass information to Albus fast.

One thing that had been bothering me, speaking of Aunt Petunia Uncle Vernon and Dudley, is the incident in the alley way in the beginning of book 5. Maybe I am reading to much into this, but if someone can lend some insight, it would be greatly appreciated. I was under the impression that Muggles and Squibs could not see nor where they affected by Dementors. In one of Jo's interviews she says that although Mrs. Figgs could not see the Dementors, she knew enough about their them to know their effects. Now to me, this sounds like she couldn't feel their effects, so if that is the case, why was Dudley affected? Maybe this is all brought about becuase Jo gave the hint that someone in the next book that had never exhibited magic would do so in a time of desperation or something along those lines. Was the fact that Dudley could feel the dementors an indication that he is magical? Was his worst memory the fact that he had performed magic at some point but didn't want anyone to know? Could that be why Petunia had been corresponding with Albus (the Howler said remember my last, not remember my letter, indicating that they had had more than one correspondance) Has anyone thought about this, or am I taking a shot in the dark? Sorry this is so long winded.

I think that it is more like the dementors can be felt by even Muggles but they do not know what is causing them to feel that way because they can not see them but they effect them just the same. I may be wrong here but I think that is mentioned somewhere before the trial. It has been a while since I read the fifth book so I question even my self here maybe when tatewin or one of the others comes on they may be able to answer this a bit better than I.

You are probably right, and I am just fishing for things to make my theory fit

Rowling answers those questions in both Book 5 and Book 6. (Book 5) During Harry's hearing, Figg tells them that Squibbs CAN see Dementors!!!!!! At the bottom of page 143, Figgs answers that question when asked by Fudge. "Yes, we can!" said Mrs. Figg indignantly!" On the top of page 145, Figg describes how she felt them as well, which helped turn Madam Bones to Harry' side.
Also in Book 5, Dudley cannot see the Dementors, one reason why he ran right toward one, but he could feel them.... (Page 30)
"All dark," Dudley said hoarsely, shuddering. "Everything dark. And I h-heard...things. Inside m-my head... (Page 31) "Horrible," croaked Dudley. "Cold. Really cold."
Then, in Book 6, Fudge tries to explain the thick fog to the Prime Minister on page 14....the fog was due to the fact the dementor's were breeding.
"But," said the Prime Minister, with a sense of dawning horror, "didn't you tell me they're the creatures that drain hope and happiness out of people?"
Hope this answers your question! It is an interesting theory about who Rowling meant about someone exhibiting magic where they never did before, and she has made it plain that it is NOT Petunia, and somehow I doubt it is Dudley. He felt what any Muggle would feel....but he never SAW the Dementors. It would be more apt to be Mrs. Figg or even Filch...someone who thought they were a Sqibb.

Thanks tatewin I knew that if anyone would be able to remember what I was trying to say you would. I did not have the time to look up the pages or the answer and relied on memory and it has been so long since I have read the books. I guess I know what I am going to do this weekend. I need to reread them. I will be able to get them all read over the weekend and come back here with a fresh perspective on the books. tatewin Ron won great job I thank you for that as well. See you in a few hours.

More than happy to help!!!!!!!!

I was wondering if it was going to be Dudley (ironically AFTER I had posted my last message here, I stumbled acrossed your fan-fic "Suprise Letter" and I had to laugh to myself that you had written about what I had been thinking) In one of JK Rowlings interviews she stated that Mrs. Figgs actually did not see the dementors, she told a fibb for Harry's sake I did not catch that passage though about Dudley running towrads them being that he couldn't see them, but now that you mention it, it makes sense! I am leaning more towards Mrs. Figgs performing magic, seeing as that I am not to fond of Filtch, even though JKR has stated that we should feel sorry for him, I really can't find it in my heart to feel compassion for someone who thinks that stringing student up by their thumbs in the basement is a good form of punishment I think it would be just like Jo though to through in the curve ball of it being Dudley

Thanks for clearing up that Dudley could not see the dementors though, I appreciate your help and Congrats on Ron winning the elimination game

I hadn't heard that Rowling stated that Squibbs cannot see Dementors! The book sure seems to contradict that. I believe that Mrs. Figg DID see them! After all, she wrote the book!
Thank you for your comments on my stories! I loved writing Surprise Letter to Harry...it was a totally different subject than most others. It's fun to wonder "what if!". I have big plans for Hermione's Challenge, which I plan to add to this weekend!

"Incidently, Arabella Figg never saw the dementors that attacked Harry and Dudley, but she had enough magical knowledge to identify correctly the sensation they created in the alleyway." That is from www.jkrowling.com in the extra section, under miscellanious. That was why in the book during her witness she said that the dementors ran toward the boys, and Fudge ( I think)who reminded her that Dementors didn't have legs, or feet, and Arabella, stuttering corrected herself and said that the glided towrads them. Jk's statement that she had enough magical knowledge to identify the sensation made it seem like to me that she didn't actually feel them, at least not as strongly

I am loving Hermione's Challenge by the by!

The book still contradicts that...Figg TOLD the Wizengamot that Squibbs COULD see them....see my post that's back aways and it lists the pages! I know what Jo supposably said, but, as she did write the book, she contradicts herself. I, myself, didn't read that interview....but I would like to hear her explaination as to why she wrote it one way then claims it's another.

My previouse post #37 is the link and directions to get to that post, becuase her website is a flash site, I can't just copy the page link to you, however if you follow the directions on my previouse post (#37) you will find were she says that. Basicaaly Mrs. Figgs was lying when she told the Wizengamot that she could see the Dementors becuase she was trying to help Harry.

I think there are alot of things that she has written that people would like an explanation on hehehe.

I will have to take you word for it because I cannot get inside Rowling's Site....I have a pop-up guard somewhere that prevents me from going into what I want to see, but I will take your word for it, because, I can see where Mrs. Figg would lie to protect harry. I'm glad you like my FF. I just wrote the Vow's cahpter yesterday. Have you read it yet? If not, be ready for a beautiful surprise from our man here!!!!!!

I did read it!!! I loved it, I had tears! It was wonderful!!!! The whole wedding from the dress, to the decorations on the island, to the vows, EVERYthing was beautiful, you definatly have a way with words!

Gosh, that's kinda hard to answer because, knowing Dumbledore's dead, we have been concentrating on an entirely different aspect to his help. I haven't thought about this before. But I would have to say that he would continue doing what he always did and Harry's involvement with Dumbledore and the pursuit of the Horcruxes would continue. Harry would learn a lot more quickly with Dumbledore alive. He showed Harry so many things he didn't understand when they were in the cave, like how to detect old magic, etc. Dumbledore could have taught him those things if Harry would have had the chance to ask him about it.

I think that is a very good point. JKR has said that she feels that the Hero (Harry) needs to stand alone, and I think that because of that Harry will be an even stronger person for it. I think that even though Dumbledore is gone he will still be a huge amount of help and advice to Harry. His picture is in the headmasters office.

I hate to say it, but I agree with Rowling. He had to learn to rely upon his own instincts, etc. But, I do believe that Dumbledore will be of somae assistance through his photo anyway.

What do you think will happen with Fawkes? Will he be in the next book, or do you think that becuase his owner is dead that he is free to do what he wants. The 6th book ended with Fawkes leaving Hogwarts, at least that is how it seemed to me.

I think Fawkes will return! Maybe Dumbledore left him to Harry since he knows how strong harry's loyalty is to him! I think Fawkes may be a surprise help for Harry in Book 7! Perhaps he's the unknown wizard Rowling talks about!

Are you saying that perhaps Fawkes is really an animagus? I don't know if Dumbledore 'left'him to Harry, but I am sure that he will turn up in the next book. Phoenixs are severly loyal, I think that he will remember Harry's loyalty to Dumbledore

I am only saying that Rowling said that a character that here-to-for showed no magical abilities would do so in Book 7. The only real ones we have to guess from are the squibbs, Mrs. figg and Argus Filch, but Fawkes is a character, with his own Phoenix powers, yes, but are those powers "magical" in the sense she is using.... could it be possible that Fawkes is somehow that character? Unlikely, I admit, but, who really knows?