by Lelie » Wednesday 10 August 2005 4:56:44pm
the mom probably new about tom's magic; they of course knew he was a wizard. they don't seem to be in the habit of sending owls to wizards before they are 11, like harry growing his hair overnight (still makes me wonder about the metamorphmagus thing...) and neville bouncing. they haven't cast any spells, they are just inherently magical.
perhaps whatever was in the basin in the cave was meant to be sort of like a virtual reality boggart? maybe it cripples a person by making them "live" their worst fears. dd seemed to be wanting to protect something, and i assume that it was students at hogwarts, or maybe harry, lily and james on halloween at godric's hollow. if voldemort tried to drink it then he would be driven insane at the thought of being dead or someone else being in power over him.