From: Patricia L. Jarrach, Esq. <trish>
Date: Thu, 9 Aug 2007 08:32:01 -0400

Okay, as a fan...there are two things I do not understand that maybe someone can explain to me.

First, what is the deal with the Trace? Was it ever mentioned before this book? I could have sworn that the earlier books said that the Ministry of Magic relied upon wizarding parents to stop their underage children from doing magic and, for those with Muggle parents, the place was what was important. The Trace does not really make sense. Wizarding parents would be setting off their underage children's Trace just by doing magic around them? There were also numerous times that magic was done around Harry at the Dursley's that did not set off a notice (i.e. when Mr. Weasley "blow up" the living room, Tonks packing Harry's bags...) Why did these times not set off a notice from the MOM if no magic could be done around him? Am I just missing something here?

Second, why did Mad-Eye's protection spells and jinxes not dissolve with his death as Dumbledore's and everyone else's did? The traps laid for Snape at Grimwald Place by Mad-Eye should have ended...unless he's not really dead...but that does not make sense either. Anyone with any ideas or hear anything from JK on this issue?

Finally, and this is just curiosity because I have not had time to do it myself, has anyone added up how many characters (good, bad, in the middle) died? Starting with the Muggle Studies teacher in the beginning and going all the way through the body count of HP7 is probably pretty impressive.

Anyway, any light anyone can shed on these issues I'd be interested in hearing about!

Trish Jarrach
Received on Thu 09 Aug 2007 07:32:01 AM CDT