Ch. 21Answers to Some Small Questions
Chapter Summary: “Answers to Some Small Questions”
Key Points and Events
- The author corrects an earlier mistake: Neville Longbottom is pure-blood, while Harry is half-blood. Both qualified for the prophecy, but Voldemort viewed Harry as the greater threat because Harry, like Voldemort, was half-blood.
- The author clarifies that a person can be considered half-blood even when both parents are magical, if one parent is Muggle-born.
- The chapter explains that Muggles can enter Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. The author cites The Prince’s Tale, in which Lily Evans’s Muggle parents and Petunia accompany her to the platform before her first year at Hogwarts.
- Possible security concerns are addressed through:
- The
Muggle-Repelling Charm
- Ministry personnel monitoring major wizarding events
- Obliviation or memory modification if a Muggle accidentally discovers wizarding locations
- The author argues that it would be unreasonable and cruel to prevent Muggle parents from seeing their children off to school.
- It is also noted that Muggles can occasionally enter the Ministry of Magic, though during Voldemort’s control such intrusions could result in their deaths.
- The author explains the book’s pricing system:
- Items with production costs but no established market are priced by cost.
- Items without production costs are priced according to their original-world value.
- Items with both cost and market value are priced between production cost and market value.
- Unique or intangible assets are given estimated values.
- The price of the Byakugan is justified through conversions between pounds, RMB, yen, and shinobi currency. The author argues that differences in the economic eras of the Harry Potter and Naruto settings make the price reasonable.
- The chapter ends with a humorous statement that readers should “endure” any remaining discomfort, playing on the meaning of “ninja.”
Character Development
- Neville is recontextualized as a pure-blood candidate for the prophecy rather than a half-blood parallel to Harry.
- Harry and Voldemort are linked by their half-blood status, reinforcing the author’s explanation of why Voldemort chose Harry as his primary target.
- Lily Evans, Petunia, and Lily’s parents are presented through Snape’s memories as a family connected to both the Muggle and wizarding worlds.
- Snape serves as the source of the memories confirming that Muggle family members could access the Hogwarts platform.
Significant Themes
- Clarification and continuity: The chapter resolves questions about blood status, prophecy details, and previously stated information.
- Integration between magical and Muggle societies: Wizarding institutions are shown as relying on concealment charms, government intervention, and memory modification rather than completely excluding Muggles.
- Parental bonds: The author emphasizes that Muggle parents should be allowed to support their magical children.
- Economic consistency in crossover fiction: The pricing discussion explores how values from different fictional universes and historical periods can be compared.
- Endurance and humor: The closing joke uses the traditional association of ninjas with endurance to lighten what is otherwise a technical explanatory chapter.
Character Interactions
- Lily’s parents and Petunia accompany Lily to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, demonstrating contact between Muggles and the wizarding world.
- Lily pleads with Petunia while Snape watches the family, highlighting the strained relationship between the sisters and Snape’s emotional connection to Lily.
- Voldemort’s decision to target Harry rather than Neville is explained through his interpretation of their blood status and the prophecy.