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Halloween in Godric's Hollow, Questions surrounding that fateful night

DumbleDebbie View Member Profile	Jan 3 2007, 11:49 PM Post #1
Dodgy Cauldrons Dealer Posts: 1,683 Joined: 7:58pm April 7, 2006 Location: Maine	It's the ultimate hook of the entire series IMO, we get reeled in at the beginning of PS/SS and, still, 6 books later we don't really know exactly what happened the night Harry's parents were murdered. There are so many questions surrounding that night. Who witnessed the murders of Lily & James and/or the attack of Voldemort on Harry and its aftermath? How exactly did Lily's sacrifice protect Harry? What or who destroyed the house? How did Dumbledore know where to send Hagrid? Why did Dumbledore send Hagrid to retrieve Harry from the house? Why didn't he go himself? I'm sure there are plenty more questions surrounding the events of that night, but this should get us started. Debbie -------------------- 'It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.' ~ APWB Dumbledore "Caput Draconis" :D Congrats Knight62442 Werewolves! Awooooo!!!

wasps View Member Profile	Jan 4 2007, 01:39 AM Post #2
Kibble Boy/Girl at the Magical Menagerie Posts: 297 Joined: 2:49pm June 11, 2005 Location: omaha, nebraska	Also, why did it take so long for Hagrid to return with Harry to Privet Drive? I have been waiting for these questions since Goblet of Fire. When the quote from Dumbledore "I will tell you everything" was released from OotP, I seriously thought these would be answered. =( QUOTE How exactly did Lily's sacrifice protect Harry? The only question I think I can answer. Ok. Assuming there is a spectrum of magic from Dark to Light or from Hate to Love. When Voldemort tried to kill Harry, he was doing probably the darkest thing a person could possibly do: kill a person for personal gain. But Lily did what was probably the most loving thing a person could do: Attempt to save a loved one even though death would be certain in doing so. Dumbledore believes that Love is more powerful than Darkness. Therefore, the most powerful magic wins, Voldemort = Gone. -------------------- "It was that kind of a crazy afternoon, terrifically cold, and no sun out or anything, and you felt like you were disappearing every time you crossed a road." -Holden Caulfield The Plug Collector < my wizard rock outfit

allsouls View Member Profile	Jan 4 2007, 03:18 AM Post #3
Just Through the Brick Wall Posts: 15 Joined: 2:44am January 2, 2007	I think Dumbledore was away protecting Neville. I think Snape led Dumbledore to believe that Voldemort was going to kill Neville first, as he wasnt sure who the prophecy referred to yet. This was Snapes way of getting Dumbledore to trust him by letting him know that he was after Neville and Harry, but Neville first. Snape was the other person at Godrics Hollow that night. Dumbledore says that Snape had turned double agent before Barty Crouch Jr was dobbed in. I think he said he would go there to protect the Potters, but was really there for Voldemort and he doesnt realise this because Snape tipped him of about Neville being the first one to be visited by Voldemort, so Dumbledore probably thought why would someone help and hinder at the same time? Ami I dreaming?

Oli View Member Profile	Jan 4 2007, 06:52 AM Post #4
Flesh-Eating-Slug Catcher Posts: 163 Joined: 5:33pm January 4, 2006 Location: Trying to find my own Ginny	QUOTE(DumbleDebbie @ Jan 4 2007, 05:49 AM) [snapback]1052372[/snapback] What or who destroyed the house? The Curse of Death that rebounded from Harry was probably so powerfull that it destroyed the house, along with LV. QUOTE(DumbleDebbie @ Jan 4 2007, 05:49 AM) [snapback]1052372[/snapback] How did Dumbledore know where to send Hagrid? Dumbledore was probably aware of the location, as he was the one who advised them to set up the charm to cover their house in the first place. I'm sure Dumbledore had his own ways of tracking things, but let's face it. A house in Goddrics Hollow that suddenly get's destroyed, well, you don't have to be a genius to know what happened. Hagrid is a member of the Order, and we know he knew the Potters, so it's likely Hagrid knew the location of the house aswell. QUOTE(DumbleDebbie @ Jan 4 2007, 05:49 AM) [snapback]1052372[/snapback] Why did Dumbledore send Hagrid to retrieve Harry from the house? Why didn't he go himself? The same reason as he hid Harry with the Dursleys: safety. Alot of deatheaters were anxiously looking for signs of their master, and we all know what happened to the Longbottoms. I'm sure Dumbledore was a target for the Deatheaters, and if they caught him, how should he defend himself properly when carrying a baby Harry? This post has been edited by Oli: Jan 4 2007, 06:53 AM -------------------- "That's the second time we've saved your life tonight you two faced b------!!"

QueenExiem80 View Member Profile	Jan 4 2007, 12:50 PM Post #5
Flesh-Eating-Slug Catcher Posts: 147 Joined: 2:01pm December 21, 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC	QUOTE(allsouls @ Jan 4 2007, 03:18 AM) [snapback]1052504[/snapback] I think Dumbledore was away protecting Neville. I think Snape led Dumbledore to believe that Voldemort was going to kill Neville first, as he wasnt sure who the prophecy referred to yet. This was Snapes way of getting Dumbledore to trust him by letting him know that he was after Neville and Harry, but Neville first. Snape was the other person at Godrics Hollow that night. Dumbledore says that Snape had turned double agent before Barty Crouch Jr was dobbed in. I think he said he would go there to protect the Potters, but was really there for Voldemort and he doesnt realise this because Snape tipped him of about Neville being the first one to be visited by Voldemort, so Dumbledore probably thought why would someone help and hinder at the same time? Ami I dreaming? This is a very interesting theroy BUT I still say that Snape was/is a good guy and thought for sure Voldemort would kill Nevilles parents and not potters. yes he didnt' like James but I think we will find out he loved lilly and would have been horror struck to realize Voldemort fooled him and killed the potters and not the longbottoms. I think Snape was at Godrics Hollow the night Harry's parents were killed BUT I don't think it was there to HELP Voldemort I think it was for some reason we will learn about in book 7. (Like protect them) -------------------- "I love you, Hermione." said Ron, sinking back into his chair, rubbing his eyes wearily. Hermione turned faintly pink, but merely said, "Don't let Lavener hear you saying that." ~HBP

melj1213 View Member Profile	Jan 4 2007, 01:15 PM Post #6
Scribbulus Everchanging Inks Changer Posts: 1,321 Joined: 4:10pm September 28, 2005 Location: Sat in the Leaky Cauldron with Harry, Ron Hermione, Ginny, Neville and Luna - drinking Butterbeer!!!	QUOTE * How exactly did Lily's sacrifice protect Harry? She was given the choice to save herself, but she chose to try and save Harry, in the knowledge that the attempt was futile. This selfless expression of love, evoked 'old magic' which LV couldn't understand and therefore it was able to deflect the hate of the AK LV aimed at baby Harry. QUOTE * How did Dumbledore know where to send Hagrid? I think DD was watching over both the Potters and the Longbottoms, and had at least a vague idea of where they were. Then, when a house is totally destroyed in suspicious circumstances, I'm sure DD knew what it was, and so sent Hagrid. QUOTE * Why did Dumbledore send Hagrid to retrieve Harry from the house? Why didn't he go himself? I always thought this was because DD was busy making preperations for the protection of baby Harry. also we have to remember he was Headmaster of Hogwarts, and so must have needed time to make plans for the school during his absence. Therefore it was quicker to send Hagrid, as baby Harry would have needed to be picked up asap, so DD sent the first person he trusted who had no lose ends which required a delay before leaving for Godric's Hollow. QUOTE * Why did it take so long for Hagrid to return with Harry to Privet Drive? Well I think you are referring to the famous "Lost Day". We don't know what went on during that time, but I think from what Hagrid says, that Hagrid went to get Harry from the ruined house, and took him to a safe place nearby, while Hagrid contacted DD about what to do next, and then later that day he set off to get to the Dursley's. From what Hagrid says about the journey - and the probable location of Godric's Hollow, it probably took a long time to get from the house to the Dursleys, which could account for some of the time. Also because he was given the flying motorbike by Sirius, he couldn't fly during the day in case he was spotted by a muggle, therefore he would have had to either find another way of getting to DD, or he could wait for the cover of night. Also we have to think about how Hagrid got to Godric's Hollow, because we know he only got the motorbike off Sirius after he arrived - so how did he get there? -------------------- My name is Jean Valjean! And I'm Javert. Do not forget me 24601! Long live Les Mis! Just because you've got the emotional range of a teaspoon, doesn't mean we all have!--Hermione

DumbleDebbie View Member Profile	Jan 4 2007, 11:07 PM Post #7
Dodgy Cauldrons Dealer Posts: 1,683 Joined: 7:58pm April 7, 2006 Location: Maine	QUOTE(Oli @ Jan 4 2007, 06:52 AM) [snapback]1052582[/snapback] QUOTE(DumbleDebbie @ Jan 4 2007, 05:49 AM) [snapback]1052372[/snapback] * What or who destroyed the house? The Curse of Death that rebounded from Harry was probably so powerfull that it destroyed the house, along with LV. I don't think that is what caused the physical damage to the house. We've seen AK used several times and it's always been: flash of green light, dead person. We've never seen it result in any sort of explosion. QUOTE(Oli @ Jan 4 2007, 06:52 AM) [snapback]1052582[/snapback] QUOTE(DumbleDebbie @ Jan 4 2007, 05:49 AM) [snapback]1052372[/snapback] * How did Dumbledore know where to send Hagrid? Dumbledore was probably aware of the location, as he was the one who advised them to set up the charm to cover their house in the first place. I'm sure Dumbledore had his own ways of tracking things, but let's face it. A house in Goddrics Hollow that suddenly get's destroyed, well, you don't have to be a genius to know what happened. Hagrid is a member of the Order, and we know he knew the Potters, so it's likely Hagrid knew the location of the house aswell. So that begs the question... What was the secret buried in Peter's soul? Was it the location of the safe house? If so, Dumbledore and Hagrid could have only known it by being told by Peter (which they weren't because neither of them even knew Peter was the secret-keeper). Was the secret not the location of the house, but that the Potters were inside? Was is something else? It seems to me that the wording of it is key. QUOTE(melj1213 @ Jan 4 2007, 01:15 PM) [snapback]1052865[/snapback] QUOTE * How exactly did Lily's sacrifice protect Harry? She was given the choice to save herself, but she chose to try and save Harry, in the knowledge that the attempt was futile. This selfless expression of love, evoked 'old magic' which LV couldn't understand and therefore it was able to deflect the hate of the AK LV aimed at baby Harry. I guess I should have worded my question more specifically. What I meant was how, as in what were the mechanics of it? Did the protective power from Lily's sacrifice provide some sort of shield? (If so, why the scar?) Did it instead somehow shoot out of Harry and meet the AK mid-stream (sort of like the wand streams meeting in GoF)? Some other way? QUOTE(melj1213 @ Jan 4 2007, 01:15 PM) [snapback]1052865[/snapback] QUOTE * How did Dumbledore know where to send Hagrid? I think DD was watching over both the Potters and the Longbottoms, and had at least a vague idea of where they were. Then, when a house is totally destroyed in suspicious circumstances, I'm sure DD knew what it was, and so sent Hagrid. But if the Potters were hidden via a Secret-Keeper how could he watch them? I've wondered if they didn't have a Dumbledore Chocolate Frog card sitting up on the mantel. QUOTE(melj1213 @ Jan 4 2007, 01:15 PM) [snapback]1052865[/snapback] Also we have to think about how Hagrid got to Godric's Hollow, because we know he only got the motorbike off Sirius after he arrived - so how did he get there? Maybe he rode there on a thestral? Debbie -------------------- 'It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.' ~ APWB Dumbledore "Caput Draconis" :D Congrats Knight62442 Werewolves! Awooooo!!!

davidenglish View Member Profile	Jan 4 2007, 11:54 PM Post #8
Official Singer of the Sorting Hat Song Posts: 6,422 Joined: 3:12pm July 22, 2005 Location: Lost in Hermione's beaded bag	QUOTE(DumbleDebbie @ Jan 4 2007, 04:49 AM) [snapback]1052372[/snapback] It's the ultimate hook of the entire series IMO, we get reeled in at the beginning of PS/SS and, still, 6 books later we don't really know exactly what happened the night Harry's parents were murdered. Well, we do know a few things. We know from interviews with JKR that she showed Voldemort entering and killing James & Lily in an early draft. We also know that in an early draft Rita Skeeter spoke with Harry at The Leaky Cauldron, but JKR said her questions gave too much away. And we know that in an early draft JKR had an evil Muggle betray the Potters, but that was later changed to Peter. Can we deduce anything from these early drafts? Perhaps not. But I do think Voldemort came with no one but the traitor that night. The reason? Perhaps to hide his own purpose from his followers and perhaps his own fear that something might go wrong. I've always thought that Lily's love was part maternal and part charm. She was noted for her charm work and I would suspect she spent a good deal of her time in hiding casting protective charms over son. But it was the sacrifice of her own life that cast the most powerful charm. As to what destroyed the house, well, the AK spell was probably the strongest anyone has ever known. A wizard has to put feeling into his curses to make them work and I suspect Voldemort really wanted to annihilate that prophecy. And it failed on Harry and it failed on Voldemort. That's twice failed. I somehow think of how a laser light is created: a beam of light is trapped between two mirrors where its energy is amplified during each transit. I've thought something like that must have caused the house to explode. I'm sure there must have been some security nearby and that aurors apparated shortly after the explosion. I'm not sure how Hagrid got there so quickly or why Dumbledore picked him. We know Sirius was there and lent Hagrid the flying motorbike. And Dumbledore? Perhaps Dumbledore was more interested in what had happened to Voldemort. After all, what happens when some is vanishes, being neither dead nor alive? BTW, there is something I've always found endearing about Hagrid's telling of the tale. He's such an unreliable witness. After five more books we can look back at his tale in Keeper of the Keys and see that he makes stuff up or inserts his own commentary and opinions and theories. He is maddeningly vague about specifics and likes to pretend he knows more than he does. This is important to know as we've always got to take what Hagrid says with a grain of salt. (And learn when to not trust his take on things and dig a little deeper.) -------------------- Come the words that bubble Up through broken laughter, Sweeter than spring-water, "Gods, I am so happy!"

wasps View Member Profile	Jan 5 2007, 12:33 AM Post #9
Kibble Boy/Girl at the Magical Menagerie Posts: 297 Joined: 2:49pm June 11, 2005 Location: omaha, nebraska	QUOTE As to what destroyed the house, well, the AK spell was probably the strongest anyone has ever known. A wizard has to put feeling into his curses to make them work and I suspect Voldemort really wanted to annihilate that prophecy. And it failed on Harry and it failed on Voldemort. That's twice failed. I somehow think of how a laser light is created: a beam of light is trapped between two mirrors where its energy is amplified during each transit. I've thought something like that must have caused the house to explode. Yes, when you take magic to a higher level (as in to the gods or whatever), I do not think that magic is around to be used on other people. So when certain things happen and spells clash, funny things can happen. Priori Incantatem, etc. That's a bit stretching it, but it makes sense to me. This post has been edited by wasps: Jan 5 2007, 12:34 AM -------------------- "It was that kind of a crazy afternoon, terrifically cold, and no sun out or anything, and you felt like you were disappearing every time you crossed a road." -Holden Caulfield The Plug Collector < my wizard rock outfit

lilian View Member Profile	Jan 5 2007, 06:18 AM Post #10
Monster Book Stacker Posts: 392 Joined: 9:19am December 14, 2005 Location: Somewhere in the United Kingdom, trying to find JKR's house	QUOTE I think Dumbledore was away protecting Neville. I think Snape led Dumbledore to believe that Voldemort was going to kill Neville first, as he wasnt sure who the prophecy referred to yet. This was Snapes way of getting Dumbledore to trust him by letting him know that he was after Neville and Harry, but Neville first. Snape was the other person at Godrics Hollow that night. Dumbledore says that Snape had turned double agent before Barty Crouch Jr was dobbed in. I think he said he would go there to protect the Potters, but was really there for Voldemort and he doesnt realise this because Snape tipped him of about Neville being the first one to be visited by Voldemort, so Dumbledore probably thought why would someone help and hinder at the same time? Am I dreaming? well, i don't agree with that theory, because, i don't remember where, but i know somebody told harry that the potters knew Lv was after them, and who could have told that but dd? -------------------- 2% teens have NEVER tried smoking. I am proud to be one of them. If you are one of them, copy and paste this on your signature!