Boggarts

[Mistress Siana]

Hehe, I had no idea where the two cents came from. English is not my first language, and when I pic up some phrases here and there I try to use them. I think I've never used this particular one before, and as it didn't quite work, I guess I won't use it again. LOL

I like the idea that hearing his parents dying might be Harry's greatest fear. I've never thought of that before. But would a boggart use the form of a dementor then, and not that of Lily and James or something?

I've also wondered about Neville. I found it a bit strange that his boggart was just Snape, not Snape intimidating him, saying mean words or something, just plain Snape (reaching inside his robes, I think).

Btw, do you believe Hermione? We've never seen her boggart, she and Harry were the only ones who didn't face it in class. Why not Hermione? And honestly, if I were Hermione and didn't want anyone to know the truth, I'd make up the same story.

[Tanuki]

Yes we did. We know Harry's Boggart is a dementor to represent Fear itself. They say so right in the book. And during the final exams, Hermione went into a closet and saw A Boggart take the shape of McGonnagal telling her she failed all her tests. That's also right int he books.

Neville's fear doesn't need to actually do the intimidating. He's scared of Snape as it is, just the image is enough to put him in hysterics. The Boggart doesn't need to take on the powers or mannerisms of what you fear. It just takes the shape and lets your own fears do the work

[Hagger 9003]

plus, the boggart snape was probably just about to start being mean and nasty to neville, before he did the riddikulus thing.

it depends who you are. if you are scared of something, its usually being scared of what that thing might do to you. but, i guess with ron and spiders, its just the spiders. you kno, phobias and all.

well, harry is scared of dementors because they make him relive the worst times of his life, and as he doesnt much about that part of his life apart from sounds, he just sees what causes him to remember the bad parts of his life, as he doesnt really remember enough of them. sorry, im not making much sense today.

new question about bogarts: what would the boggart do if someone was scared of commiting suicide? since the dementor boggart causes fear, etc, wouldnt a boggart, finding some poor soul who is scared of suicide, turn into a knife and make the person start commiting suicide? then would the person die?

[Mistress Siana]

I think it would turn into the person and coomit suicide...not really die himself, of course, but pretend to

Yes we did. We know Harry's Boggart is a dementor to represent Fear itself.

Well, that's what Lupin assumes.

And during the final exams, Hermione went into a closet and saw A Boggart take the shape of McGonnagal telling her she failed all her tests. That's also right int he books.

That's what Hermione says, yes, and I asked whether you believe her. It's the number one rule: Never NEVER take something for granted just because a character says so.

[Hagger 9003]

in the books it says after the defence exam, hermione comes out crying and tells them it was professor mcgonagall. you are right, you should never trust people, but at that point, she had no reason to hide, and she was in hysterics. i dont think she would have made it up. anyway, it fits completely with her character, and if she had been trying to make it up, she would have said a fear of heights or something. that is very easy to believe.

also, do fears change? i assume they do, depending on your mood. remember mrs weasley? i doubt she was scared of her kids dying at 16! maybe rons fear will change, or harry's, or hermiones. i wouldnt be surprised to see harry being scared of his friends dying. any one else agree?

[Mistress Siana]

It think I'll to re-read it, but I remember i didn't quite believe her. Actually, everybody would assume her greatest fear would be failing her exams, so it would make a far better excuse than fear of hights. MHO.

[Tanuki]

I think it would turn into the person and coomit suicide...not really die himself, of course, but pretend to

Yes we did. We know Harry's Boggart is a dementor to represent Fear itself.

Well, that's what Lupin assumes.

And during the final exams, Hermione went into a closet and saw A Boggart take the shape of McGonnagal telling her she failed all her tests. That's also right int he books.

That's what Hermione says, yes, and I asked whether you believe her. It's the number one rule: Never NEVER take something for granted just because a character says so.

So, you're going to take this as conjecture, even though you're willing to take the stated opinions on elve slavery so literally. How can Harry fear his parent's death when it already happened. He's already faced his fear, therefore this can't be what he fears. Also, so you're saying Hermione was lying, you who thinks she is so upright in her bids for elven freedom, is so petty to lie about what she fears most when it would make sense for her friends deaths to be a fear. After all, they ARE out to get Harry

[DragonFiend17]

[quote="SpongyDonutLuvr547"][quote="Scellanis"]just thought I'd ask this question here.....its rather confusing and has me going round in circles

1. If a person's greatest fear is a boggart what will they see when they meet a boggart??

umm...how could they fear a boggart? maybe because they fear it will turn into what they fear--but a boggart has no true form.

[Tanuki]

I think the fear of boggarts represents a persons fear of fear itself, much like a dementor. When facing these things, you have to face yourself, your own fears an your own concept of fear. This can be enough to drive some people crazy

[Mistress Siana]

So, you're going to take this as conjecture, even though you're willing to take the stated opinions on elve slavery so literally.

I'm not assuming Hermione's view on the matter of elf slavery or the whole wizarding world, I analyse JKR's intentions based on a couple of situations she creates. That's a difference. You know, if there's a line saying "the sky is blue", it is a fact. If Hermione says "the sky is blue", it's an opinion.

Also, so you're saying Hermione was lying

No, I'm not. I'm saying it is possible that she was lying. Again, a difference.

[Tanuki]

the question follows, what would they gain by lying?

[Mistress Siana]

She might not want her friends to what her greatest fear is...Even best friends have secrets, for various reasons. Hermione, for instance, didn't tell she was going to the yule ball with Krum, and she didn't give away the truth about Lupin at first. And Harry does not want his friend to know that either, he will have to kill Voldemort, or Voldemort will kill him. So lying can be a matter of fear, of shame, of the wish to protect either your friends or a third party...

Just assume her greatest fear was seeing Ron or Harry kissing another girl!

[Hagger 9003]

that would be funny.

but i wouldnt be surprised if harry changed his mind to be scared for his friends or partners. remember the effect of him seeing Mrs weasley's boggart?

I think the fear of boggarts represents a persons fear of fear itself, much like a dementor. When facing these things, you have to face yourself, your own fears an your own concept of fear. This can be enough to drive some people crazy

its enough to drive people like me crazy thinking about it!!!

but all this stuff about hermione lying, yeh, sometimes she lies, but then she probably didnt. i think she took 10 minutes to calm down after seeing the boggart, and she isnt very good at putting on an act, shes too honest. she couldnt try to cry when she was lying to umbridge, and i reckon she would have difficulty lying to harry. u are right to be paranoid tho!!

[Mistress Siana]

Hm, you might have misunderstood me (maybe I really should work on my choice of words). I do think her tears were honest. They were actually what made me think she was lying, I mean, there was a supposed mass murderer running after Harry and stuff, to me, it seemed to small a matter to cry so bitterly. So I wondered if she'd maybe faced something really terrible, like what Mrs Weasley's boggart turned into, but didn't want to talk about it. But you're probably right, it would be a real tragedy for her. I'm just paranoid.

[Hagger 9003]

dont worry about your choice of words. before i knew you came from germany, i though english was ur first language!! but ur right, that is a good idea, and really feasible. i do think H/Hr is right, but even if it isnt, hermione would still care loads about harry. they are really close friends.

anyway, more stuff on boggarts. does anyone have any ideas about snapes boggart? it seems to be important: i think jk said it was once, or she just said "no comment!" when someone asked. maybe it will be everyone chuking him out, DD and LV, all calling him a traitor.