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  1. wordhammer
    Post

    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    Usually when trying to track chapter releases, I'll look for the first review for a particular chapter.
    Post by: wordhammer, Jan 10, 2024 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
  2. wordhammer
    Post

    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    And if it was the 1980's, it might have occurred to him. Back in 1938, the proper way to control an uppity child was to smack them around. Not saying he's right, but it should be noted that child labor had only been abolished in recent memory.
    Post by: wordhammer, Apr 8, 2021 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
  3. wordhammer
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    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    Amazing that the Blitz ran from September 7th 1940 - May 11th, 1941 - almost as if they had been warned to avoid drawing the ire of the wizarding world in London. That said, one of the worst attacks was on December 29th. If Riddle had gone 'home' for the Christmas holidays, he'd have been stuck right in the firestorm. Of course, he wouldn't have left Hogwarts unless he had to, so probably not.
    Post by: wordhammer, Jan 22, 2021 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
  4. wordhammer
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    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    I think Harry also refilled the wine provided by Slughorn when they consoled Hagrid over Aragog's death; that specifically was a Refilling Charm.
    Post by: wordhammer, Dec 2, 2020 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
  5. wordhammer
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    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    I'm fairly sure the Chudley Cannons do win the occasional match, so their 230 points may be net total from that. It would make more sense, and prevent collusion by teams from running up their totals in tandem to dominate the league.
    Post by: wordhammer, Sep 28, 2020 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
  6. wordhammer
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    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    The follow-on paragraph that was no doubt edited out: Harry then realised that he was in the wrong station to get a route back home. Perhaps Hagrid expected him to fly home from Heathrow, but Harry just shrugged and settled himself to hiring a hack to get him to Waterloo station using the ten pound notes Hagrid had been using as napkins.
    Post by: wordhammer, Mar 30, 2020 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
  7. wordhammer
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    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    Not sure if this is a film question, since I can't see the reference in the books. I'd assume Paddington station was used as a visual substitute for Waterloo. EDIT: missed the obvious reference two paragraphs up from where I was looking.
    Post by: wordhammer, Mar 30, 2020 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
  8. wordhammer
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    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    The HP Lexicon has yearly calendars for each of the books, with most of the decisions documented so that you know their reasoning. https://www.hp-lexicon.org/calendars-harry-potter-novels/
    Post by: wordhammer, Apr 9, 2019 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
  9. wordhammer
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    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    Just a thing to break some fanon: are there instances in the books when a Portkey is enchanted before it is placed at its departure point? I think the rules on a portkey are that they have a predetermined source and destination. The only exception I can recall is the Triwizard cup, which had obviously been tampered with to make it stop over in the Little Hangleton graveyard before completing its transit to the maze entrance.
    Post by: wordhammer, Dec 11, 2018 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
  10. wordhammer
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    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    Probably the next person to pick it up, but there is no conclusive evidence. Purpose of this thread is to pin down actual canon info, rather than conjecture wildly about the gaps between. For that, write fanfiction (or use a different thread, at least, like https://forums.darklordpotter.net/threads/questions-about-your-fanfic-that-dont-deserve-their-own-thread.24530/).
    Post by: wordhammer, Oct 31, 2018 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
  11. wordhammer
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    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    Fun thing about an adjustable castle- it'll have just as many rooms as it or the headmaster believes is needed. Here's an interesting reference: This suggests that there are as many as 27 windows along one floor between a tower and the other side of that structure; otherwise, the headmaster would suggest they count from the other side.
    Post by: wordhammer, Jul 23, 2018 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
  12. wordhammer
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    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    In the book, Hermione had already conjured the birds and used Oppugno to set them on Ron. Legilimens was officially introduced in Order of the Phoenix, though evidence of it is hinted from the first book onward. Also in Half-blood Prince were Liberacorpus, and some unnamed spells used in the cave and by Draco trying to fix the Vanishing Cabinet. EDIT: add on Langlock, the toenail-growing hex, and Specialis Revelio
    Post by: wordhammer, Jun 11, 2018 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
  13. wordhammer
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    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    Book two Since McGonagall would be very aware of the dangers of conjuring food, we can assume that she was summoning some from the kitchens or un-Vanishing some that she had prepared for just such an occasion. EDIT: or as what appears to be this case, the platter is linked to the kitchen and the elves resupply it when it gets empty.
    Post by: wordhammer, May 17, 2017 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
  14. wordhammer
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    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    If he was fully a couch, it wouldn't have hurt him to be poked. I believe he transfigured his robes to resemble a couch, in a way that would allow him to hide comfortably in a sitting position for a while.
    Post by: wordhammer, May 7, 2017 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
  15. wordhammer
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    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    We're not shown how the ring was defended, only that Voldemort went looking under the floorboards when he rushed to check up on it. In the case of the locket, it was placed in a cave surrounded by Inferi. If Voldemort had 'respawned' there, he might have been able to possess one without interference from a native intelligence. I have a number of theories related to his use of horcruxes, but the one thing I can mention that relates solely to canon is this: twice his spirit was drawn back to...
    Post by: wordhammer, Mar 10, 2017 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
  16. wordhammer
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    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    There wasn't a scuffle but there was a tense argument, during which Lucius slipped the book into Ginny's cauldron. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvWihzwI2uY
    Post by: wordhammer, Jan 11, 2017 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
  17. wordhammer
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    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    Floo powder is 2 Sickles per scoop: As for mind healing, you're probably tripping on fanon. What we know is that Neville's parents and Gilderoy Lockhart have not recovered significantly after years of treatment. There is Dr. Ubbly's Oblivious Unction, but that was used to heal Ron's wounds from the brain things, but that seems more like a specific treatment for physically damaging thoughts than a general mind-cure.
    Post by: wordhammer, Dec 12, 2016 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
  18. wordhammer
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    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    I'd like to answer this, but it is a plot bunny question. I believe the intent of this thread is 'questions of interpretation of canon as if it were a body of law'.
    Post by: wordhammer, Nov 28, 2016 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
  19. wordhammer
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    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    Skelegrow isn't temporary in results, though the hastened bone growth is temporary. Same applies to Blood Replenisher, though Arthur Weasley had to take a new dose every hour while they were fighting Nagini's venom at St. Mungo's. Hermione's cat form caused by mis-using Polyjuice Potion was not likely to wear off- they had to subject her to weeks of various treatments in order to restore her humanity.
    Post by: wordhammer, Aug 9, 2016 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
  20. wordhammer
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    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    Totally agree that the receptacle for a horcrux has to be meaningful and significant to the soul in order to house a piece of it. One of a billion grains of sand isn't going to pass muster. Also, I'm still of the belief that the detached soul tends to get drawn back to the last-made horcrux if the original body has become unusable, so tossing it into a deep trench or into the emptiness of space would be counter-productive. I don't think a wandering soul has much ability to interact with...
    Post by: wordhammer, Jul 18, 2016 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
  21. wordhammer
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    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    I think the idea is that horcruxes are self-repairing. Wearing your horcrux-robe as armor would probably just end up with a tattered robe that kept fixing itself and bundling up your body even after the Aurors had ripped it apart, which would lead said Aurors to investigate such a uniquely-animated piece of clothing and find out (maybe) that you've made a horcrux.
    Post by: wordhammer, Jun 16, 2016 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
  22. wordhammer
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    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    Here's that one, and it demonstrates a Vanishing that implies later restoring: I take 'cleared away' as stowed rather than erased from existence. We know from later class excerpts that McGonagall is able to un-Vanish some partly-Vanished items when they're practicing Evanesco.
    Post by: wordhammer, Apr 8, 2016 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
  23. wordhammer
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    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    Based on that and McGonagall's assessment that Harry would need to do three more years' studies after Hogwarts to become an auror, it sounds like she'd earned her badge the previous summer [1994].
    Post by: wordhammer, Jan 19, 2016 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
  24. wordhammer
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    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    Given her comment about Harry being 'yet another Weasley', I'd say Aunt Muriel comes from the Prewett side of the family. Confirmed- first reference to her in book 7 was as 'Molly's Aunt Muriel'. Oh, and as of Bill and Fleur's wedding, Muriel was 107, which means she started at Hogwarts around 1902.
    Post by: wordhammer, Dec 4, 2015 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
  25. wordhammer
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    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    Beauxbaton is co-ed: It's funny- when I look up this stuff I get such a shock of dissonance between what the movies suggest and what the books reveal: only a dozen students from each visiting school came for the tournament, almost all from later years.
    Post by: wordhammer, Nov 29, 2015 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
  26. wordhammer
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    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    Campaign slogan for Arthur Weasley's run at Minister: Arthur: a titan of fertile integrity The subversive slogan: In about twenty years, Weasleys and their allies will count for 1% of the total magical population in the UK. You really wanna fight that?
    Post by: wordhammer, Nov 5, 2015 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
  27. wordhammer
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    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    While economics and heroic fantasy don't make for a palatable mix, there was some reasonable indications that the Weasleys were poor due to raising seven children. There is no reason to suggest that Arthur expected or even would accept money from Bill, Charlie and especially Percy. By the time Ginny was off to school the pressure was just beginning to ease off but they still scraped to afford second-hand robes for Ginny. Once Ginny leaves school, they could probably afford a House-elf......
    Post by: wordhammer, Nov 4, 2015 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
  28. wordhammer
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    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    Except that they'd really only need one Time Turner for all of them assembled at staff meetings, held each day at noon and 6 pm. Sorta explains why they all look so old, too.
    Post by: wordhammer, Oct 29, 2015 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
  29. wordhammer
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    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    This all makes sense from the perspective of a student never proving his ability to control his magic, but Fred and George didn't seem fussed about ditching Hogwarts early. Then again, they were already of age. Also, I'm curious if there's evidence one way or the other if an adult convicted of capital crimes would have their wand snapped. In Voldemort's case, he was never arrested and his wand was retrieved by Wormtail, and Sirius escaped so there's no reason they'd give him back his old...
    Post by: wordhammer, Oct 28, 2015 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
  30. wordhammer
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    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    Harry's dragon spread its wings and bared its tiny teeth at him when he first held it, and it curled up on the bedside table that night. Can't say whether the animation lasted, but at least at first it moved like the original.
    Post by: wordhammer, Oct 5, 2015 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
  31. wordhammer
    Post

    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    They figured out Lupin was a werewolf partway through first year. McGonagall demonstrates her animagus transformation at the beginning of 3rd year (not 1st as in the movies), and they worked on it from then until they got it mastered in 5th year- even Pettigrew.
    Post by: wordhammer, Aug 8, 2015 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
  32. wordhammer
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    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    Collect funny lines from stuff you're reading into a comedy reference file- most humor is recycled, so you're not cheating. It doesn't even have to be in print- some of the best lines are things I heard in conversations or saw on a show (Dolorous Edd on Game of Thrones is worth listening to almost as much as Tyrion Lannister). Ask someone who does witty writing for help/samples. The basis of most sarcasm is contempt. Even if what the victim is saying is perfectly sound, the sarcastic...
    Post by: wordhammer, Jul 14, 2015 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
  33. wordhammer
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    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    What we know: Veela are unnaturally beautiful and people attracted to them often act foolishly. When they sing and dance, it multiplies the effect. Arthur Weasley could resist the effect with just the dancing but even he plugged his ears so as not to lose his senses to their siren song, which wholly took over the referee's attention during the match. When a mediwizard ran out, ears plugged, and kicked him in the shins he came to his senses and immediately ordered the Veela off the pitch....
    Post by: wordhammer, Apr 23, 2015 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
  34. wordhammer
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    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    It is not. It's a fanfiction invention over twelve years old, and my research led to its earliest use in a Snape mpreg fic- in order to hide his swelling belly, you see. Now, aren't you glad you checked?
    Post by: wordhammer, Apr 22, 2015 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
  35. wordhammer
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    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    It makes sense to me, but JKR has never said anything about it. Pure speculation.
    Post by: wordhammer, Mar 4, 2015 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
  36. wordhammer
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    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    The ad for Hit-wizards also includes mention of hospital costs- I believe you're comparing the wage of a mid-level government administrator with poor political sense to the consulting fees for grey-black ops mercenaries. I doubt hit-wizards are paid by the month just for bookkeeping- that may be as long as they're expected to survive, which is why their monthly wage is the same as a small lottery win.
    Post by: wordhammer, Mar 3, 2015 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
  37. wordhammer
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    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    Every time that's referenced, I cringe like someone said Voldemort; there's no reason to match our literary Merlin with whatever Merlin lived in the Potterverse. He has a reputation in canon... for being famous. He's the Paris Hilton of Hogsmeade. His greatest achievement evidently is the world's longest lasting and pervasive Confundus charm.
    Post by: wordhammer, Mar 1, 2015 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
  38. wordhammer
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    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    Details are sketchy. It's worth noting that Bellatrix had to be involved, so it may come down to her laying the judgment on whether Snape had fulfilled his promises to Narcissa. ... making this Snape's most courageous act in the entire series.
    Post by: wordhammer, Feb 20, 2015 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
  39. wordhammer
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    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    Do any of the Weasleys ever find out about Hermione's use of a Time Turner during her 3rd year? We can assume that Hermione and Harry mentioned to Ron that they used a trick from Dumbledore to save Sirius and Buckbeak, but I can't recall a time when the Turner use is brought up by Ron, Ginny or the twins.
    Post by: wordhammer, Feb 19, 2015 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
  40. wordhammer
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    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    Also, Slughorn mentions using a Freezing Charm to counteract burglar alarms, for whatever reason that it would be better than a Silencing Charm.
    Post by: wordhammer, Feb 3, 2015 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
  41. wordhammer
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    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    Order of the Phoenix starts with Harry laying out beneath a window in oversize clothes and trainers falling to pieces. I doubt he'd keep up the vagabond look just to help the Dursleys convince the neighbors that he was a hoodlum home from St. Brutus'.
    Post by: wordhammer, Feb 2, 2015 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
  42. wordhammer
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    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    The HPLexicon puts Hermione and Penelope getting petrified on May 8th, restored May 29th; 3 weeks, almost to the hour. I'd say Hermione picked up more with the Time Turner than she lost by Petrifaction, seeing as there were times when she was attending three classes at once, while also helping Hagrid do research for Buckbeak's legal defense. This, however, is where a wide range of conjecture is possible. ---------- Post automerged at 02:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:58 AM...
    Post by: wordhammer, Jan 29, 2015 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
  43. wordhammer
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    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    Where's the fun in that?
    Post by: wordhammer, Jan 28, 2015 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
  44. wordhammer
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    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    In complete defiance of everything else presented about magic... I've always had the impression that this trick operated on a magical signature basis- that there is an 'aura' of influence surrounding your average wizard which emanates farther if said wizard commands a greater influence over their local area. Each wizard's aura can be distinguished by the particular mix of colors and patterns they radiate (for those who can see such things). Dumbledore by dint of skill, experience and ego...
    Post by: wordhammer, Jan 28, 2015 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
  45. wordhammer
    Post

    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    I have many thoughts on this, some of which find their way into my stories. They are, however, entirely conjecture. I will say that Harry using his grief to keep Voldemort out of his head seems less like Occlumency i.e.: separating from his emotions so much as shoving his emotions in the face of his invader, which works particularly well for his situation but won't help against anyone else. Harry's grief at seeing Dumbledore killed didn't help him keep his thoughts from Snape during...
    Post by: wordhammer, Jan 21, 2015 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
  46. wordhammer
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    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    I know Dumbledore hinted to Harry that prophecies weren't a reason to do something, ('Do you think all those prophecies in the Hall of Prophecies have come true?') but I don't see how you can say he didn't believe they were relevant. He employed Sybill Trelawney for the rest of his life on the basis that she gave him a real prophecy during her interview and that it was relevant enough for her to be protected.
    Post by: wordhammer, Jan 21, 2015 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
  47. wordhammer
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    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    The Lestranges and Barty Jr. attacked the Longbottoms 'when we thought we were all safe'. I take that to mean at least a few weeks after Dumbledore announced Voldemort's defeat and the Ministry had gotten busy with the roundup of Death Eaters like Avery, Dolohov and Karkaroff. The Longbottoms were very popular (only Frank is mentioned as an Auror, by the way), and their attack threw everyone into a rage, such that they were willing to do a deal with Karkaroff to get more names to feed the...
    Post by: wordhammer, Jan 20, 2015 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
  48. wordhammer
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    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    Harry ate straight Gillyweed to become aquatically adapted for an hour - some substances are inherently magical. Hermione gave Harry a bowl of pickled Murtlap tentacles to ease the pain of Umbridge's quill- pickling isn't brewing, though it does require multiple ingredients Essence of Dittany is a powerful healing agent as mere drops can seal wounds- if it's an essence, it at least had to be extracted and concentrated. After the first task, Cedric was seen with his face and arm (I...
    Post by: wordhammer, Jan 16, 2015 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
  49. wordhammer
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    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    As we're talking about a magical language power based upon an affinity that originated with Herpo the Foul (whose name in his native Greek is 'snake' or more literally, 'I crawl'), I'm going to say it covers any genetically limbless reptile. And now my headcanon for Herpo includes losing his limbs at some point (extreme diabetes or leprosy or something) and him using magic to make or grow replacements.
    Post by: wordhammer, Jan 15, 2015 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
  50. wordhammer
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    HP Questions that don't deserve their own thread V2

    I am actually a little depressed about this epiphany: Parseltongue permits Harry and the descendants of Slytherin (and Herpo, if he had any) to speak to snakes. Just snakes. Not newts, salamanders, and particularly not dragons. Am I wrong? It's not like I write for canon compliance but it really limits the use of Parseltongue for story purposes if you're trying to stay close to canon-compatible.
    Post by: wordhammer, Jan 15, 2015 in forum: Fanfic Discussion
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