icarusancalion

Nice theory. The potion being a part of the soul was my first idea, too, and I was afraid of what that might entail. As it is... I don't think it is; the note by RAB (whom I think is Regulus Black - we know he wanted out of the DE and was killed for it - maybe he got back at Voldy the only way he could, knowing he was dead anyway) seems to imply the Horcrux was taken away. Although that begs the question; how come the potion is still there? Did RAB have another way of getting the Horcrux? Did *he* put the potion htere? Was it there before RAB took the Horcrux? So many questions...

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Yes, but we were led to believe Regulus wasn't very high up in the ranks of the DEs, so how is it he would have known about the Horcrux? It Hardly seems the type of thing that would be common DE knowledge. And Voldemort would have been careful enough to make sure nobody else (especially not Regulus Black) would have found out about it, back when he and Regulus were alive.

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True. But somebody knew.

I'll admit you make some very good points. At the same time, I just can't imagine JK making R.A.B. a new character we've not heard of before...

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Before OotP, we'd never heard of Luna Lovegood. Being the author, she could very well decide to insert a new character every time she needs one.

I can see the logic behind suspecting Regulus, though. Finding the Horcrux would be good enough reason for Voldemort (or the DEs) to do away with him. And it would explain more of the mystery surrounding the Blacks.

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We *had* heard of the Lovegoods in GoF, though I'll admit it was only a passing reference.

She's said she'll introduce us to a member of the Order we've heard about but not met, so... But still, this seems like a person who really wanted to make sure Voldy knew it was him/her - which suggests to me (but I realise this may be a flimsy argument) that it's somebody within Voldy's own ranks.

And of course, there's the mysterious locket in Grimmauld Place (in OotP) that nobody can seem to open... Where did that come from, and where did it get to?

I think it would also be interesting to see the Black brothers' similarities and differences, especially as regards Voldemort, and also considering that one was Gryffindor and a blood traitor, and the other a Slytherin and DE...

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So what you're basically theorizing is that Regulus was a spy for the Order? I just can't see that, considering Sirius' animosity towards him in OotP. But maybe that's just me.

Since everything in Grimmauld Place now belongs to Harry, how long do you think it takes him to put two and two together and remember the locket?

I was expecting much more to do with the Blacks in this book, not just Narcissa and Bella (though that was an interesting development), but Sirius and Regulus. There's just so much to be explored there, and I can't understand why she didn't get into it. Could be a major plot point in bk. 7?

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Oh - no - I think he was a genuine DE, who decided he'd gotten himself into something he really didn't want to be part of. But he realised there was no chance of getting out alive, so he must have decided that, if he was going to die because of Voldemort, he may as well do what he could to weaken him.

And I'm not sure the locket is still there - we know that Kreacher's been sneaking things away, and that Mundungus has been filching stuff as well...

Yes, I loved Cissa and Bella, that was great - I do think they're all tied together and will be part of book 7. After all, Neville and Bella have a score to settle, Tonks is involved, so is Remus... Not to mention Harry... And Draco... Yes, it has to come up. I'd be *very* surprised if JK doesn't fill us in some more on Regulus' history. And we know Regulus wanted out of the DE group - it would be interesting to see someone other than Snape work against Voldemort. And not as a spy for the Order; I think Regulus was working on his own.

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Personally, I was hoping for more Percy. *whimpers*

Icarus

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I'm not going to fight for the theory, because it is conjecture.

What I do insist is that we don't know what it was Dumbledore drank. We are assuming is was just a poison of some kind. JKR has led Harry to that assumption, and there is an established pattern of Harry's assumptions being dead wrong dating all the way back to book one.

I do insist that it had to be more important than simply a protection that will kill the person after the talisman. It doesn't make sense that Dumbledore would sacrifice himself for so little otherwise.

Icarus

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Good point. Although to be fair, Harry is getting better at guessing. I mean, this time, Hermione and Ron thought he was wrong about Malfoy, but it WAS Draco with the necklace and the poison, and the Room of Requirement WAS important...

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That's true, Harry is improving with his guesses (concerning everyone but Snape). But he hasn't really asked the question "what did Dumbledore drink?" since he believes Snape's a traitor.

Totally different subject:

The textbook was 50 years old. It pre-dated Harry's father. That means it also pre-dated Snape.

Ten bucks said the textbook was originally Voldemort's and then Snape got it after him (via the same means Harry did?).

Icarus

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Ah, but I thought that method of discovering the owner was somewhat flawed. It tells you that it can't belong to somebody who finished school BEFORE the date it was published, but even the book could be bought years after publication, couldn't it? I rather doubt somebody owned it before Snape.

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twistedrecesses.livejournal.com

Agreed. Especially as Snape maintains that he's the Half-Blood Prince. And who better to leave excellent helpful hints than a future potions master? One question though: How could Harry not have ANY clue that that was Snape's writing?

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Well, it took *me* by surprise. So embarrassing. I mean, it's a *potions* text... And I even thought the description of Eileen Prince sounded like a female version of Snape - and even then I didn't make the connection... *feels stupid*

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twistedrecesses.livejournal.com

It's not that it didn't take me by surprise, but your comment just inspired a thought: If Snape inherited his mother's talent for potions, there's a good chance that a lot of that came from the book which may have been written in by his mother to some degree, in which case he might or might not have matched his handwriting to that already in the book in order to...I dunno, take credit for it all? I kind of got lost halfway through that thought, realizing it wasn't complete. Anywho, I didn't match the description of Eileen Prince to Snape...and I also managed to miss teh Way slashy "Draco Malfoy in you" imprications, so I'm right there with you in the missing obvious connections boat.

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Heh, there was SO much dodgy subtext in this one - it had me in stitches ;-)

Not convinced it's not Snape's own work and writing - I think it is - but it's an interesting idea.

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She was noted as Captain of the Gobstones club, but there was no mention of any potions talent, was there?

Icarus

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Exactly.

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