Who is the Half Blood Prince?
Jun. 29th, 2004 12:48 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
retro_eidasHarry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince? I'm not convinced this has anything to do with "royalty" specifically. It might, but that's neither here nor there at the moment. I will go with this "prince" moniker and assume whatever this is, like atypical royalty, it has to do with rite of succession determined by order of birth. We already have something very similar to this concept in the plot with the "Heir" of Slytherin. A "prince" is essentially an heir to a throne. The title of a king's son. This harkens back to the PS/SS chess game. Theoretically, the "kings" in that game seemed to point to Voldemort as the White King and Dumbledore as the Black. They're the two leaders, per se, of the two sides of this current Wizarding War. However, more generally, the two sides of the chess game could also be in reference to Slytherin as the White King while Gryffindor represents the Black. Gryffindor vs. Slytherin. Friends turned into two opposing forces, with ideals ultimately as different as black and white. As the OOTP Sorting Hat described. Moreover, this implies a "royal" connotation to both Slytherin as well as Gryffindor.
But, as yet, we only have been given definitive history of one of these sides. Salazar Slytherin in COS. What of "King" Gryffindor? What of his history?
I do think Godric Gryffindor may be very important to this HBP plot, however, I (obviously) don't think he himself is the HBP. He's a "King" after all, not an "Heir", not a "Prince". I also don't really believe GG was a half-blood. True, we have nothing definitive stating he wasn't. Call it a gut feeling. It's also improbable there was very much mixing of blood between wizards and muggles due to the world climate at the time, at least not directly before GG. In the time of Hogwarts foundation, muggles were terrified of wizardry/witchcraft of any kind. Witches/Wizards were brutally persecuted. Which is why we're told Hogwarts was founded in the first place, so wizard/witch children could obtain a magical education in safety and security.
Yet I'm not removing the possibility there probably *was* mixing of blood at some point and quite possibly by Gryffindor himself. This could certainly give reason to Gryffindor being set at odds against his once close friend Slytherin. If Gryffindor fell in love with a muggle (or a muggleborn... maybe even a muggle[born] princess or queen, but a literal royal connection isn't necessary), Slytherin would have most likely not approved of such a match at all. His friend would not only be tainting his noble lineage with muggle blood (mudblood), but if these "mudblood" children inherited any of their father's abilities, Gryffindor, of course (as his rite as one of the Founders), would have insisted they attend Hogwarts. Which, perhaps, up to that point, had only been attended by those (purportedly) of pureblood magical origin... possibly, to Slytherin's insistence (and the other Founders simply went along with or had also been apprehensive of mixed/muggle-borns). This wouldn't be surprising, again, due to the muggle/wizard relations of the time. Of course, Gryffindor would have no one telling him who he could or couldn't fall in love with, marry or start a family. He'd have no one barring his children from having a proper magical education if they displayed the sufficient ability... thus we have a possible, understandable start to a conflict between two men who once had been the best of friends. They are put asunder, basically for one of the oldest reasons out there... for love of a woman.
Gryffindor marries this muggle woman, despite Slytherin's (and maybe even the other Founders') protests. He eventually has children (Heirs) with her. [random]How much you want to bet a token Gryffindor family trait is flaming red hair? Perhaps *twinkly* blue eyes, too. And Mrs. (muggle) Gryffindor had brilliantly green eyes. Traits they passed down to their kids of course. Admittedly anvilicious, but this also is the story we're perpetually reminded how much Harry looks like his father and has his mother's eyes. The brood of everso traditional red-haired Weasleys. Perpetual reminders of the past. History repeating itself, in this very basic method, through physical attributes.[/random] The children grow up and some (or all) of them do indeed inherit their father's magical ability to his degree, maybe even potentially greater. Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw see the child (children's) potential, despite the mixed parentage, and with the cohersion of Gryffindor, they're convinced of Gryffindor's mindset. The school should welcome all magical children, whether pure, mixed or muggleborn. Unfortunately, Slytherin will have absolutely none of this. He may be so angry at this believed sacrelige and betrayal, he vows revenge. Maybe very frightening revenge, against Gryffindor and/or his filthy muggle wife & family. The Basilisk and Chamber of Secrets immediately comes to mind. It's also doubtful Slytherin himself would have been alone in these beliefs. Mrs. Gryffindor, afraid for the lives of her half-blood (squib and/or muggle) children in the WW, convinces her husband to send some of the children into hiding. Likely, the defenseless ones. The ones who didn't inherit any magical ability and wouldn't have any means whatsoever in duelling with a Slytherin-supporter or fight a Basilisk. The ones that could easily / safely blend in with muggles. Send them to relatives or friends in the muggle world. Gryffindor, wary of Slytherin's (a very powerful wizard's) threats and his supporters, reluctantly agrees. Mrs. Gryffindor sends her children away. Possibly to never see them again. The exiled Gryffindors' magical origins lost in time. Doesn't all of this sound pure fairy tale? How many fairy tales out there have worried parents sending their children off into hiding afraid of some evil witch/wizard's / ne'er-do-well's intentions?
Alas, for the sake of this theory/narrative, the Basilisk's purpose is fulfilled. The Basilisk murders the remaining Gryffindor line. Namely the filthy half-blood children who destroyed the glorious purity of Hogwarts... before they grow up and pollute the WW/Hogwarts further with their sacreligious ideologies and filthy impure blood. For this, GG himself fights the Basilisk and I could imagine him killing it, but he's mortally wounded in the process, beyond Fawkes' help. He dies from his injuries. With GG and his (WW) heirs dead, the WW Gryffindor direct family line is no more.** If poor Mrs. Gryffindor wasn't done in by the Basilisk or some Slytherin supporter (while she's out of her husband's protection), she probably would have died of grief (and the secret of some of her children escaping to the muggle world died with her). Unfortunately, I could have foreseen the Basilisk leaving a few of it's own progeny behind (unbeknownst to GG or any of the current powers of Hogwarts)... for the future Heir of Slytherin to finish Slytherin's glorious work.
I believe Harry is an Heir of Gryffindor, as COS and Dumbledore (rather bluntly) eluded. "Only a true Gryffindor would be able to pull [the sword] from the hat." However, JKR confirms Harry IS NOT the "half-blood prince". If Harry is indeed an Heir of Gryffindor and this Heir business is in connection to this HBP... Then how can Harry be an HofG, but still not be the HBP? Harry most likely isn't the only Heir of Gryffindor.
These (theoretical) exiled Gryffindors marry other muggles. Still carrying the "noble" (and magical) Gryffindor blood in their veins and passing it through the family. Perhaps some children displayed magical ability over time and thus, were welcomed into Hogwarts (with the new policies instilled by the three remaining Founders after/just before Slytherin's departure, it made this possible). However, it could be the magical ability in the blood had gotten so sporadic, by the time the family line passed into the modern era, there hadn't been a magical child born in a very, very long time. These connections were long forgotten. Until of course, we get to Lily Evans. Lily, through her acceptance letter into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, re-establishes this possibly long dormant magical Gryffindor line in the Muggle *and* Wizarding Worlds.
However, it also opened this long closed door to the rest of the family as well, something Petunia Evans, Lily's (possibly) older (less pretty, less charismatic and less understanding) sister, didn't seem to care for at all. Lily may have told Petunia, or she assumed it on her own, that this "freakish" ability is carried in the blood and Petunia shouldn't be afraid. This unfortunately would have made Petunia only MORE fearful. Living with the notion that whatever children, grandchildren etc she had, they could end up just like her "freak" of a sister? Thus definitively hammered the wedge between Lily and Petunia.
Petunia eventually married Vernon and had Dudley, distancing herself as much as she could from her family, especially Lily. All seemed ok for awhile, until Lily has Harry. Lily, most likely, found out whether Harry would go to Hogwarts too eventually. Since Hagrid tells the Dursleys Harry had his name down ever since he was born, the determination - likely magical - of whether a child is Hogwarts-material or not seems to be made very early on in life, seemingly even before birth. Lily and James happily discover Harry is indeed a future Hogwarts student... but to Lily's chagrin, she also discovers her young nephew is also apparently a future Hogwarts alumnus. Obviously, this isn't something Lily would have felt comfortable in concealing from her ornery sister and brother-in-law only for the shock of a Hogwarts letter eventually showing up on the Dursley doorstep in 11 years. Lily may have been considering Dudley's, only a baby at the time, welfare. Petunia and Vernon obviously would have to face that their son, because of his Evans (Gryffindor) blood, would be a "freak" just like Lily. Lily braved Petunia's ire and confronted her with the truth about Dudley. After Petunia recovered from her undoubtable upset, disbelief and shock. The terror and paranoia set in. Petunia becomes acutely afraid Vernon may leave her if he found out his only son, because of his tainted blood (HER blood), was a "freak" just like Petunia's "freak" sister. Petunia unable to bear the thought of having to raise her poor abnormal son by herself, but not willing to give him up either, begged Lily to help her. If not reverse the probably irreversible magic/magical blood in him, but suppress the magic somehow... and definitely get his name off the Hogwarts student list. Lily, seeing (and probably not being surprised by) her only sister's reaction, agrees to help. Not able to do what Petunia was asking on her own, Lily goes to Albus Dumbledore (possibly new Headmaster of Hogwarts) and appeals his aide. This gets more interesting if Dumbledore has since heard or very soon will hear Trelawney's prophecy about Harry. Dumbledore agrees to help Lily's sister, but Dumbledore - perhaps secretly - goes to Petunia and tells her he'll do what she wants, but only on the condition Petunia agree to a magical pact that if anything happened to Lily (or James), Petunia would take Harry into her home and under her protection. Petunia, unable to face any other option, agrees to said pact. Hence, binding Harry's blood protection at #4 Privet Drive, but also saving Petunia's marriage and keeping her only son from the "freak" school/status... at least, this is what Petunia believes. Dumbledore may have warned her that any diversion from or betrayal of this pact, the deal was off. Something Dumbledore felt to remind Petunia of in OOTP via that Howler ("Remember my last"). Dudley's magic would erupt full force and his Hogwarts acceptance would be reinstated. Those condemnable owls will come for Dudley.
Petunia is fully aware of this (theoretical) pact, but is Vernon? If Petunia believed she could conceal the truth about Dudley, methinks she damn well would have. So, I find it really hard to believe Vernon has a clue about his son's abnormality. Nor does Petunia have any intention of telling him. Ever. If Vernon doesn't know, the chances of Dudley knowing are even slimmer. If Petunia doesn't believe Vernon (who relatively has a lot more going on upstairs then perpetually dumbass Dud) can handle this bombshell, then I very much doubt she'd think Dudley could. What if the eventuality came that Petunia went out of town, became hospitalized or simply was removed from the Dursley home for whatever reason (Voldemort the possible cause?)? Without Petunia there to stop them, Vernon or Dudley could decide to take this initiative to chuck Harry out of the house? Just as Vernon so eagerly wanted to do in OOTP. Dudley - who seems to have gotten a bit more backbone in facing Harry's terrifying freakishness since OOTP - believes Harry attacked him last summer so he definitely wouldn't want him around. I'd actually lean more towards Dudley doing the chucking since he is the one blood-related to Harry (and it's eluded blood is the key to this hypothetical Petunia/Dumbledore pact). Vernon and/or Dudley inadvertantly break Dumbledore/Petunia's magical pact by throwing Harry out ... this dissolves Harry's protection at Privet Drive and Dudley's magic comes back full force as does his enrollment in Hogwarts. If this pact is broken, it would make it all the more exciting if the Death Eaters, Dementors and/or some other dark force were ready to attack Harry in any moment of such vulnerability. Vernon and Dudley are in the way, so the DEs attack them - but perhaps play with them a la the Robertses in GOF - just for sport since they're both just muggles. Harry is trying to defend his uncle, his cousin and himself, but with the perhaps numerous foes around him, he's finding it considerably difficult. Vernon may be even lost in the struggle (which would complicate matters considerably. What happens to Petunia and Dud without the family breadwinner?). As stupid and selfish as Dudley is, even the dumbest person is going to instinctively react when their own life is threatened. Dudley's fear, desperation and anger causes him to lash out. Dudley, pact broken, displays a huge burst of long-surpressed, inadvertant (perhaps very powerful) magic which helps Harry fend off the enemies. Dudley sort of pops, like a cork from of a champagne bottle after it's violently shaken. This is when the cavalry will decide to show-up and fend off any remaining enemies. Dumbledore will apparate in and explain everything to a shocked Harry. About Dudley, the pact, Lily finding out about Dudley's magical ability, etc. Harry discovers that his big stupid git of a bullying cousin is also a wizard, allbeit an untrained one.
Would Harry also learn that he and his cousin are also the last Heirs of Gryffindor? Dudley, being born to firstborn Petunia Evans(-Dursley), is this "Half-Blood Prince"? It's possible. Forcing Harry through the course of Book 6 to have to face the shock his cousin isn't only magical, but also the rightful first in succession to Heir of Gryffindor. Maybe also learn about the Founders' history - his and his cousin's lineage - through the book. If there is anything to the above, chances are probably very great that Dudley would join Harry at the protection of Hogwarts. Even if Dudley is very behind, he'd likely have no where else to go and Voldemort would probably be interested in him as well as Harry (and maybe his aunt too). They're Gryffindor's direct descendants.
**I could imagine Godric possibly having a sibling or cousin who did keep the Gryffindor blood & traits (red hair? twinkling blue eyes?) alive in some form in the WW. Family who inherited some of Godric's possessions after his (and his family's) death(s). Hence this is how we may get the (all-pureblood?) dyed in the wool Gryffindors like the Dumbledores & Weasleys. Dumbledore with his auburn (reddish?) hair and blue eyes. The Weasleys with their own flaming red hair (like Lily's hair). However, these particular Gryffindors are NOT direct descendants of Godric, although they have some of the general physical, magical traits and were (probably or mostly) all Gryffindors in school.
But, as yet, we only have been given definitive history of one of these sides. Salazar Slytherin in COS. What of "King" Gryffindor? What of his history?
I do think Godric Gryffindor may be very important to this HBP plot, however, I (obviously) don't think he himself is the HBP. He's a "King" after all, not an "Heir", not a "Prince". I also don't really believe GG was a half-blood. True, we have nothing definitive stating he wasn't. Call it a gut feeling. It's also improbable there was very much mixing of blood between wizards and muggles due to the world climate at the time, at least not directly before GG. In the time of Hogwarts foundation, muggles were terrified of wizardry/witchcraft of any kind. Witches/Wizards were brutally persecuted. Which is why we're told Hogwarts was founded in the first place, so wizard/witch children could obtain a magical education in safety and security.
Yet I'm not removing the possibility there probably *was* mixing of blood at some point and quite possibly by Gryffindor himself. This could certainly give reason to Gryffindor being set at odds against his once close friend Slytherin. If Gryffindor fell in love with a muggle (or a muggleborn... maybe even a muggle[born] princess or queen, but a literal royal connection isn't necessary), Slytherin would have most likely not approved of such a match at all. His friend would not only be tainting his noble lineage with muggle blood (mudblood), but if these "mudblood" children inherited any of their father's abilities, Gryffindor, of course (as his rite as one of the Founders), would have insisted they attend Hogwarts. Which, perhaps, up to that point, had only been attended by those (purportedly) of pureblood magical origin... possibly, to Slytherin's insistence (and the other Founders simply went along with or had also been apprehensive of mixed/muggle-borns). This wouldn't be surprising, again, due to the muggle/wizard relations of the time. Of course, Gryffindor would have no one telling him who he could or couldn't fall in love with, marry or start a family. He'd have no one barring his children from having a proper magical education if they displayed the sufficient ability... thus we have a possible, understandable start to a conflict between two men who once had been the best of friends. They are put asunder, basically for one of the oldest reasons out there... for love of a woman.
Gryffindor marries this muggle woman, despite Slytherin's (and maybe even the other Founders') protests. He eventually has children (Heirs) with her. [random]How much you want to bet a token Gryffindor family trait is flaming red hair? Perhaps *twinkly* blue eyes, too. And Mrs. (muggle) Gryffindor had brilliantly green eyes. Traits they passed down to their kids of course. Admittedly anvilicious, but this also is the story we're perpetually reminded how much Harry looks like his father and has his mother's eyes. The brood of everso traditional red-haired Weasleys. Perpetual reminders of the past. History repeating itself, in this very basic method, through physical attributes.[/random] The children grow up and some (or all) of them do indeed inherit their father's magical ability to his degree, maybe even potentially greater. Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw see the child (children's) potential, despite the mixed parentage, and with the cohersion of Gryffindor, they're convinced of Gryffindor's mindset. The school should welcome all magical children, whether pure, mixed or muggleborn. Unfortunately, Slytherin will have absolutely none of this. He may be so angry at this believed sacrelige and betrayal, he vows revenge. Maybe very frightening revenge, against Gryffindor and/or his filthy muggle wife & family. The Basilisk and Chamber of Secrets immediately comes to mind. It's also doubtful Slytherin himself would have been alone in these beliefs. Mrs. Gryffindor, afraid for the lives of her half-blood (squib and/or muggle) children in the WW, convinces her husband to send some of the children into hiding. Likely, the defenseless ones. The ones who didn't inherit any magical ability and wouldn't have any means whatsoever in duelling with a Slytherin-supporter or fight a Basilisk. The ones that could easily / safely blend in with muggles. Send them to relatives or friends in the muggle world. Gryffindor, wary of Slytherin's (a very powerful wizard's) threats and his supporters, reluctantly agrees. Mrs. Gryffindor sends her children away. Possibly to never see them again. The exiled Gryffindors' magical origins lost in time. Doesn't all of this sound pure fairy tale? How many fairy tales out there have worried parents sending their children off into hiding afraid of some evil witch/wizard's / ne'er-do-well's intentions?
Alas, for the sake of this theory/narrative, the Basilisk's purpose is fulfilled. The Basilisk murders the remaining Gryffindor line. Namely the filthy half-blood children who destroyed the glorious purity of Hogwarts... before they grow up and pollute the WW/Hogwarts further with their sacreligious ideologies and filthy impure blood. For this, GG himself fights the Basilisk and I could imagine him killing it, but he's mortally wounded in the process, beyond Fawkes' help. He dies from his injuries. With GG and his (WW) heirs dead, the WW Gryffindor direct family line is no more.** If poor Mrs. Gryffindor wasn't done in by the Basilisk or some Slytherin supporter (while she's out of her husband's protection), she probably would have died of grief (and the secret of some of her children escaping to the muggle world died with her). Unfortunately, I could have foreseen the Basilisk leaving a few of it's own progeny behind (unbeknownst to GG or any of the current powers of Hogwarts)... for the future Heir of Slytherin to finish Slytherin's glorious work.
I believe Harry is an Heir of Gryffindor, as COS and Dumbledore (rather bluntly) eluded. "Only a true Gryffindor would be able to pull [the sword] from the hat." However, JKR confirms Harry IS NOT the "half-blood prince". If Harry is indeed an Heir of Gryffindor and this Heir business is in connection to this HBP... Then how can Harry be an HofG, but still not be the HBP? Harry most likely isn't the only Heir of Gryffindor.
These (theoretical) exiled Gryffindors marry other muggles. Still carrying the "noble" (and magical) Gryffindor blood in their veins and passing it through the family. Perhaps some children displayed magical ability over time and thus, were welcomed into Hogwarts (with the new policies instilled by the three remaining Founders after/just before Slytherin's departure, it made this possible). However, it could be the magical ability in the blood had gotten so sporadic, by the time the family line passed into the modern era, there hadn't been a magical child born in a very, very long time. These connections were long forgotten. Until of course, we get to Lily Evans. Lily, through her acceptance letter into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, re-establishes this possibly long dormant magical Gryffindor line in the Muggle *and* Wizarding Worlds.
However, it also opened this long closed door to the rest of the family as well, something Petunia Evans, Lily's (possibly) older (less pretty, less charismatic and less understanding) sister, didn't seem to care for at all. Lily may have told Petunia, or she assumed it on her own, that this "freakish" ability is carried in the blood and Petunia shouldn't be afraid. This unfortunately would have made Petunia only MORE fearful. Living with the notion that whatever children, grandchildren etc she had, they could end up just like her "freak" of a sister? Thus definitively hammered the wedge between Lily and Petunia.
Petunia eventually married Vernon and had Dudley, distancing herself as much as she could from her family, especially Lily. All seemed ok for awhile, until Lily has Harry. Lily, most likely, found out whether Harry would go to Hogwarts too eventually. Since Hagrid tells the Dursleys Harry had his name down ever since he was born, the determination - likely magical - of whether a child is Hogwarts-material or not seems to be made very early on in life, seemingly even before birth. Lily and James happily discover Harry is indeed a future Hogwarts student... but to Lily's chagrin, she also discovers her young nephew is also apparently a future Hogwarts alumnus. Obviously, this isn't something Lily would have felt comfortable in concealing from her ornery sister and brother-in-law only for the shock of a Hogwarts letter eventually showing up on the Dursley doorstep in 11 years. Lily may have been considering Dudley's, only a baby at the time, welfare. Petunia and Vernon obviously would have to face that their son, because of his Evans (Gryffindor) blood, would be a "freak" just like Lily. Lily braved Petunia's ire and confronted her with the truth about Dudley. After Petunia recovered from her undoubtable upset, disbelief and shock. The terror and paranoia set in. Petunia becomes acutely afraid Vernon may leave her if he found out his only son, because of his tainted blood (HER blood), was a "freak" just like Petunia's "freak" sister. Petunia unable to bear the thought of having to raise her poor abnormal son by herself, but not willing to give him up either, begged Lily to help her. If not reverse the probably irreversible magic/magical blood in him, but suppress the magic somehow... and definitely get his name off the Hogwarts student list. Lily, seeing (and probably not being surprised by) her only sister's reaction, agrees to help. Not able to do what Petunia was asking on her own, Lily goes to Albus Dumbledore (possibly new Headmaster of Hogwarts) and appeals his aide. This gets more interesting if Dumbledore has since heard or very soon will hear Trelawney's prophecy about Harry. Dumbledore agrees to help Lily's sister, but Dumbledore - perhaps secretly - goes to Petunia and tells her he'll do what she wants, but only on the condition Petunia agree to a magical pact that if anything happened to Lily (or James), Petunia would take Harry into her home and under her protection. Petunia, unable to face any other option, agrees to said pact. Hence, binding Harry's blood protection at #4 Privet Drive, but also saving Petunia's marriage and keeping her only son from the "freak" school/status... at least, this is what Petunia believes. Dumbledore may have warned her that any diversion from or betrayal of this pact, the deal was off. Something Dumbledore felt to remind Petunia of in OOTP via that Howler ("Remember my last"). Dudley's magic would erupt full force and his Hogwarts acceptance would be reinstated. Those condemnable owls will come for Dudley.
Petunia is fully aware of this (theoretical) pact, but is Vernon? If Petunia believed she could conceal the truth about Dudley, methinks she damn well would have. So, I find it really hard to believe Vernon has a clue about his son's abnormality. Nor does Petunia have any intention of telling him. Ever. If Vernon doesn't know, the chances of Dudley knowing are even slimmer. If Petunia doesn't believe Vernon (who relatively has a lot more going on upstairs then perpetually dumbass Dud) can handle this bombshell, then I very much doubt she'd think Dudley could. What if the eventuality came that Petunia went out of town, became hospitalized or simply was removed from the Dursley home for whatever reason (Voldemort the possible cause?)? Without Petunia there to stop them, Vernon or Dudley could decide to take this initiative to chuck Harry out of the house? Just as Vernon so eagerly wanted to do in OOTP. Dudley - who seems to have gotten a bit more backbone in facing Harry's terrifying freakishness since OOTP - believes Harry attacked him last summer so he definitely wouldn't want him around. I'd actually lean more towards Dudley doing the chucking since he is the one blood-related to Harry (and it's eluded blood is the key to this hypothetical Petunia/Dumbledore pact). Vernon and/or Dudley inadvertantly break Dumbledore/Petunia's magical pact by throwing Harry out ... this dissolves Harry's protection at Privet Drive and Dudley's magic comes back full force as does his enrollment in Hogwarts. If this pact is broken, it would make it all the more exciting if the Death Eaters, Dementors and/or some other dark force were ready to attack Harry in any moment of such vulnerability. Vernon and Dudley are in the way, so the DEs attack them - but perhaps play with them a la the Robertses in GOF - just for sport since they're both just muggles. Harry is trying to defend his uncle, his cousin and himself, but with the perhaps numerous foes around him, he's finding it considerably difficult. Vernon may be even lost in the struggle (which would complicate matters considerably. What happens to Petunia and Dud without the family breadwinner?). As stupid and selfish as Dudley is, even the dumbest person is going to instinctively react when their own life is threatened. Dudley's fear, desperation and anger causes him to lash out. Dudley, pact broken, displays a huge burst of long-surpressed, inadvertant (perhaps very powerful) magic which helps Harry fend off the enemies. Dudley sort of pops, like a cork from of a champagne bottle after it's violently shaken. This is when the cavalry will decide to show-up and fend off any remaining enemies. Dumbledore will apparate in and explain everything to a shocked Harry. About Dudley, the pact, Lily finding out about Dudley's magical ability, etc. Harry discovers that his big stupid git of a bullying cousin is also a wizard, allbeit an untrained one.
Would Harry also learn that he and his cousin are also the last Heirs of Gryffindor? Dudley, being born to firstborn Petunia Evans(-Dursley), is this "Half-Blood Prince"? It's possible. Forcing Harry through the course of Book 6 to have to face the shock his cousin isn't only magical, but also the rightful first in succession to Heir of Gryffindor. Maybe also learn about the Founders' history - his and his cousin's lineage - through the book. If there is anything to the above, chances are probably very great that Dudley would join Harry at the protection of Hogwarts. Even if Dudley is very behind, he'd likely have no where else to go and Voldemort would probably be interested in him as well as Harry (and maybe his aunt too). They're Gryffindor's direct descendants.
**I could imagine Godric possibly having a sibling or cousin who did keep the Gryffindor blood & traits (red hair? twinkling blue eyes?) alive in some form in the WW. Family who inherited some of Godric's possessions after his (and his family's) death(s). Hence this is how we may get the (all-pureblood?) dyed in the wool Gryffindors like the Dumbledores & Weasleys. Dumbledore with his auburn (reddish?) hair and blue eyes. The Weasleys with their own flaming red hair (like Lily's hair). However, these particular Gryffindors are NOT direct descendants of Godric, although they have some of the general physical, magical traits and were (probably or mostly) all Gryffindors in school.
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Date: 2004-06-29 06:32 pm (UTC)Anyway- I think that Dudley is a really good (and exciting plot-making) guess.
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Date: 2004-06-29 06:38 pm (UTC)