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Aug 02, 2005 11:51

Ok so very dumb question...

I just need some opinions from the general public... This may seem very obvious but I just want some other opinions... what is the general thought about Harry being the heir of Gryffindor?

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gioiamia August 2 2005, 17:52:31 UTC
Yes, the interview did SEEM to put an end to that theory. Here's what was said:

MA: What about Harry's family - his grandparents - were they killed?

JKR: No. This takes us into more mundane territory. As a writer, it was more interesting, plot-wise, if Harry was completely alone. So I rather ruthlessly disposed of his entire family apart from Aunt Petunia. I mean, James and Lily are massively important to the plot, of course, but the grandparents? No. And, because I do like my backstory: Petunia and Lily's parents, normal Muggle death. James's parents were elderly, were getting on a little when he was born, which explains the only child, very pampered, had-him-late-in-life-so-he's-an-extra-treasure, as often happens, I think. They were old in wizarding terms, and they died. They succumbed to a wizarding illness. That's as far as it goes. There's nothing serious or sinister about those deaths. I just needed them out of the way so I killed them.

MA: That sort of shuts down Heir of Gryffindor [theories], as well.

JKR: [Pause.] Yeah. Well - yeah.

MA: Another one bites the dust.

[Laughter]

JKR: Well, there you go. See, I'm aware that “Half-Blood Prince” will not delight everyone, because it does shoot down some theories. I mean, if it didn't, I haven't done my job right.

The only reason I question it is because she hesitated there in answering. And the question she said yes to was not clearly stated. In other words, they didn't ask her "Is Harry the heir of Gryffindor." What she said "Yeah" to was that the theory that Harry's family was killed because they are heir to Gryffindor has now been shot down.

So although I don't think he is the heir, if one was looking for a way around that, I think it wouldn't be hard to continue to debate the theory.

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knurdyjess August 2 2005, 21:29:30 UTC
I just assumed that she was hesistating because she was shutting down a popular theory. JKR seems to be very fond of popular theories within fandom, and mostly tries not to confirm or deny them (that is, until she publishes the next book, and disappoints all the poor conspiracy theorists :P), so I think that's why she hesistated. :)

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gioiamia August 2 2005, 21:31:22 UTC
Yeah, that's pretty much what I got out of it, too. She seemed very sensitive to that throughout the interview and brought up repeatedly how much she hates to shoot down theories. So I'm sure you're right. Still, if I were writing a fanfic in which it was essential for Harry to be the Heir, then I'd probably use that indirect answer and hesitation as the justification for my theory.

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gtprincesssb August 3 2005, 04:22:58 UTC
hmmmm.... very interesting!!!!! I guess I should have taken time out to read the interview... lol... *turns red* thanks for bringing that up!!!!!

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gioiamia August 3 2005, 14:31:56 UTC
Not at all! It's definitely still a worthwhile discussion. ;-)

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