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Posts: 26 · Joined: Jan 26, 2007 Posts: 26

I have a totally different perspective of the series starting with SS/PS then most people. I might be wrong, but I don’t think I am. Although her vision of the trap is different then mine there is a Red Hen article proposing the trap perspective.

My different perspective starts with SS/PS. I believe the plot of SS/PS was about a trap to capture Voldemort. I didn’t arrive at my perspective of the series by reading the books over and over again looking for small canon clues. Instead I simply leaned back in my chair and used my logic and imagination to cause the plot to make sense to me. To me, the idea that SS/PS was a trap is the only concept that prevents the plot of book 1 from being an idiot plot. I have seen other post that suggests that other posters have this same opinion. Having just this different perspective of book 1 causes me to have a different perspective of Harry and Dumbledore’s relationship and how I suspect book 7 will progress.

The Trap in SS/PS

This perspective is formed solely from my logic and imagination by reading between the lines of canon and trying to make sense of Dumbledore's actions in SS/PS. The only canon clue that I could find is that to get to the mirror the trio had to go through a trapdoor. To get to the bathroom you go through a bathroom door. To get to a trap you go through a trapdoor. I am fairly certain this perspective is to some degree close to a revelation to be made in book 7. I don’t believe the stone was moved to Hogwarts for protection. I believe that Dumbledore suspected that when Quirrell returned from his absence acting strange from an area where Vapormort was suspected to be and started spending time casing out the bank that Dumbledore suspected involvement by Vapormort. I suspect that a trap was set up in the bank to separate Vapormort from Quirrel and capture Vapormort, but since Vapormort was not possessing Quirrel at that time the trap wasn’t sprung. After Quirrel’s failure, Dumbledore became aware that Vapormort was now possessing Quirrel so the trap was set up at Hogwarts.

To understand how I envision the trap working you need some understanding how a live trap works. You need to set this trap in the habitat of the animal you intend to trap. Setting a live trap in California to catch a lion isn’t going to catch very many lions. You need to camouflage the trap so the animal doesn’t recognize the trap. You need to bait the trap with bait that is so luring it causes the animal to go against its natural instinct not to enter the trap. Live traps work best if after being set up are left totally alone until they are sprung. The newer live traps now in use by trappers have an alarm system on the trap that allows the trapper to become notified when the trap is sprung.

This is how I view the trap at Hogwarts. I view the mirror as the trap with the stone placed in the mirror as the luring bait. I view the feeble protections placed in front of the mirror as camouflage so Vapormort would not suspect a trap. Once Quirrelmort arrived in front of the mirror, he was at that time pacing in front of the trap trying to get the bait. This is when Harry arrived and spoiled the trap. If Harry had not arrived then I envision Vapormort eventually getting frustrated at Quirrel’s inability to get the bait and insisting that Quirrel remove the turban and turn around. I envision Vapormort looking into the mirror. A mirror by folklore is a natural trap for unattached souls. At this time the trap is sprung and Vapormort is sucked into the mirror and trapped. The hostage Quirrel is not trapped or harmed in any manner.. I envision Dumbledore then receiving notice of the success of the trap and going to the mirror. I envision his approaching the mirror where Vapormort’s face is pressed against the mirror. I envision Dumbledore telling Vapormort that he must remain there until all his Horcruxes are destroyed so when released his soul will pass to the after-life. I envision Dumbledore telling Vapormort that eventually Vapormort will tell him where the Horcruxes are located when he realizes that his present fate is a fate worst then death. This is how book 1 would have ended if Harry hadn’t interfered with the trap.

Since this is how I view book one, I can also accept that a perfect ending for book 7 will be for it to end at the exact spot book one would have ended except for Harry’s interference. Because of this perspective I lean towards the idea of a trap in book 7 theory for the resolution of the series.

Thank you,

Paintball

Posts: 326 · Posted: March 19, 2007 8:24 am Post subject:

How do you come up with these things. You put us all to shame. Another good theory. It think it makes sense. It was a little off how they were given clues to move foward. Why didn't DD just keep the stone on his person?

But then why didn't they just try it again in COS. was it becuase Voldermot would have realised it was a trap by then.

Hmm I'm not as convinced about this one as I am about the DIATSSASE but I think its a strong possibility.

Just wondering what do you think about the Snape/Lily theory.
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Posts: 764 · Posted: March 19, 2007 2:03 pm Post subject:

Interesting, good one!

It's started me thinking about why the stone was moved from Gringotts.

The Gringotts robbery happened soon after. Who tipped off Dumbledore that the stone needed to be moved?

Would you think this secret tip off came from Snape?
If Snape told Dumbledore what was planned, then its feasible that they were preparing to trap him...
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Posts: 26 · Joined: Jan 26, 2007 Posts: 26

Posts: 764 · Posted: March 21, 2007 9:08 am Post subject:

^^^ Superb Post ^^^^

Just read it. Amazing.
You really know your stuff. I studied World History, so know that desperate times lead to amazing things happening.

The brits and the Russians are best friends, after *ganging* up against Hitler. But Stalin we didn't approve of, the Russian people we do. They gave so much to win that war, that they're earned our respect!!
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Posts: 26 · Joined: Jan 26, 2007 Posts: 26

Thanks Sallyann22 I will respond to your Russian example on the DH trap thread. The location of the quote bar confuse me. toonmili I meant to respond to your question about the Lily/Snape theory but accidently hit the quote to Sallyann22's post. I couldn't find anyway to edit a post on this forum. Thank both of you for your compliments.

Posts: 6 · Joined: Mar 18, 2007 Location: South America Posts: 6

I love it, i must say you are really very good at coming up with all these theories. LOVING IT IN SOUTH AMERICA!!!!

Posts: 1525 · Posted: March 25, 2007 1:04 pm Post subject: Problem

The stone was not a trap. It was moved to Hogwarts because DD was there. i think the stone was not a part of a trap, because people were not so sure that LV was back, how would dumbledore know that LV was going to try to steal the stone, after all there were/are other way's of coming back. If it were indeed a trap this would prove snape is innocent and is on Dumbledores side,(Snape told DD that LV would try to steal the stone. This is sort of off topic, but i think that wizards live for a longer time that muggles. DD was at least 500 years old. (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone top of PG.219

Posts: 764 · Posted: March 25, 2007 2:33 pm Post subject: Re: Problem

Posts: 26 · Joined: Jan 26, 2007 Posts: 26

Posts: 26 · Joined: Jan 26, 2007 Posts: 26

I have now listed my three theories in one spot. Although the DIATSSISE is the title of the site, the main reason I set up the site was to discuss the illogical conclusions of the adament fantasy genre fans. My essays on this site will give you a clear understanding why I view the series different then the fantasy genre fan. Hopefully after reviewing the essays on this site I can at least get the vote up some on Dumbledore not intending to send an 11 yr. old student down that trap door. Here is the site: http://www.diatssise.com/

Posts: 28371 · Posted: May 20, 2007 12:02 pm Post subject:

hmm... it was quite hard to imagine why dumbledore would be sending an eleven year old kid to face two crazy and evil adult wizards. well, now its explained. it was a trap. good theory.

although why did dumbledore tell harry that now that he knows how the mirror works, he will be ready?

what i originally thought about this was dumbledore was not purposely sending harry down there, but thought that, knowing harry, he would definitely go down there. the only bit he could help harry with was telling him how the mirror works so that harry would be able to get the stone should he manage to get there.

but the problem with that was, okay, granted harry successfully got the stone - what would happen next? volders can easily get it from him (although it turned out that he could not).

so i am convinced of your theory. it was a trap. but dumbledroe had to find a way to get the stone too and not leave it locked in the mirror. so that is where the "find it, but not use it" thing comes in. he imagined that, when the time comes, he would be able to remove the stone from the mirror.

my only problem is is why he told harry what the mirror does, and why it would help him when he next encounters it.
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Posts: 90 · Joined: Jun 3, 2007 Posts: 90

i dont think so at all. harry is DD's fav student, he doesn't want him to gget hurt
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Posts: 210 · Joined: Jun 5, 2007 Posts: 210

although the part of the sucking is a little hard to believe, i definetly agree that harry was a git going there. voldie would never get the stone through the mirror.
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Posts: 1048 · Posted: June 10, 2007 7:33 pm Post subject:

voldie wouldn't have gotten the stone. going down there and getting the stone for him just made it more likely that he would get it.

i like this theory that it was a trap though, it totally makes sense

Posts: 26 · Joined: Jan 26, 2007 Posts: 26

I just checked back on this poll. I am pleased to announce that this appears to be the only site I have visited where the majority of posters refuse to believe that Dumbledore intended Harry to face Voldemort in SS/PS. Since this is probably my biggest problem with the view point of the fantasy genre fan as illustrated at my diatssise.com website I just had to comment on this observation. I'm tickled to death that there are others out there who also feel there is a hidden plot to SS/PS. We don't have long now.

Posts: 28371 · Posted: July 5, 2007 9:26 am Post subject:

Posts: 72 · Joined: Jul 9, 2007 Posts: 72

its possible... i voted yes anyway

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