Something I’ve been trying to puzzle out for the past day, and failing. From Chapter 39, as Harry is talking to Dumbledore:
“The obvious test to see if the Resurrection Stone is really calling back the dead, or just projecting an image from the user’s mind, is to ask a question whose answer you don’t know, but the dead person would, and that can be definitely verified in this world. For example, call back—”
Then Harry paused, because this time he’d managed to think it through one step ahead of his tongue, fast enough to not say the first name and test that had sprung to mind.
Who was the first name (and test) that had sprung to Harry’s mind? The quick rejection implies it would be something that would make Dumbledore think he is evil, or reveal to Dumbledore that Harry has some information that Harry doesn’t want Dumbledore to know he has, or emotionally wound Dumbledore. And yet the shade would also have knowledge that no one alive would know, but the dead person would, and could be tested in the real world.
Things that have recently happened and might be on the tip of Harry’s mind: Harry had a mysterious confrontation with Lucius Malfoy on platform 9.75, has met Neville’s grandmother, and has discussed with Dumbledore what mischief Quirrell could unleash if he tricked the Headmaster into letting a Dementor onto the school grounds. They’ve also discussed immortality and afterlives (with some focus on Harry’s parents).
Any guesses? I have a couple, but they seem quite weak to me.
HPEV was likely thinking of Merlin, but a much simpler test would be to call back Pierre de Fermat.
Granted, there wouldn’t be a solid “no” if the remarkable proof were faulty, and perhaps you would be better off having a mathematical novice do the summoning just to be certain.
Since people don’t seem to be noticing matheist’s answer, I’m copy-pasting it here:
He talks to Quirrell later about not making the obvious suggestion in front of Dumbledore, and goes on to say:
“If you happen to see a stone with that symbol,” said Harry, “and it does talk to the afterlife, do let me know. I have a few questions for Merlin or anyone who was around in Atlantis.” (Ch. 40)
And that was when Harry realized that there was exactly one person who’d originally told Professor McGonagall that the Dark Lord was still alive in the first place; and it was the crazy Headmaster of their madhouse of a school, who thought the world ran on cliches.
happens after
Then Harry paused, because this time he’d managed to think it through one step ahead of his tongue, fast enough to not say the first name and test that had sprung to mind.
I assumed he immediately thought of Dumbledore’s family members. As to what he’d ask them, nothing comes to mind.
Alternatively, Harry may have been refraining from using the thing he would actually do with the Stone as an example. For instance, asking the founders of Hogwarts for lost magic secrets or seeing if Merlin knew anything about Atlantis.
He talks to Quirrell later about not making the obvious suggestion in front of Dumbledore, and goes on to say:
“If you happen to see a stone with that symbol,” said Harry, “and it does talk to the afterlife, do let me know. I have a few questions for Merlin or anyone who was around in Atlantis.”
(Ch. 40)
Why is “summon Merlin” dangerous to suggest to someone who falsely believes in an afterlife? And if it is dangerous to suggest, why is it safe to actually do as a test?
My first thought was either Voldemort or his parents, but there is no way to verify what they say, so it could easily be a projection of the summoner’s own interpretation and doesn’t work as a test.
Something I’ve been trying to puzzle out for the past day, and failing. From Chapter 39, as Harry is talking to Dumbledore:
Who was the first name (and test) that had sprung to Harry’s mind? The quick rejection implies it would be something that would make Dumbledore think he is evil, or reveal to Dumbledore that Harry has some information that Harry doesn’t want Dumbledore to know he has, or emotionally wound Dumbledore. And yet the shade would also have knowledge that no one alive would know, but the dead person would, and could be tested in the real world.
Things that have recently happened and might be on the tip of Harry’s mind: Harry had a mysterious confrontation with Lucius Malfoy on platform 9.75, has met Neville’s grandmother, and has discussed with Dumbledore what mischief Quirrell could unleash if he tricked the Headmaster into letting a Dementor onto the school grounds. They’ve also discussed immortality and afterlives (with some focus on Harry’s parents).
Any guesses? I have a couple, but they seem quite weak to me.
HPEV was likely thinking of Merlin, but a much simpler test would be to call back Pierre de Fermat.
Granted, there wouldn’t be a solid “no” if the remarkable proof were faulty, and perhaps you would be better off having a mathematical novice do the summoning just to be certain.
Since people don’t seem to be noticing matheist’s answer, I’m copy-pasting it here:
Voldemort. He’d summon Voldemort’s ghost and make it tell him the spells it learned from Salazar’s basilisk.
… Why are people still splitting hairs over it? It was answered a few chapters later.
At this point in the story Harry didn’t know about the basilisk yet.
happens after
I assumed he immediately thought of Dumbledore’s family members. As to what he’d ask them, nothing comes to mind.
Alternatively, Harry may have been refraining from using the thing he would actually do with the Stone as an example. For instance, asking the founders of Hogwarts for lost magic secrets or seeing if Merlin knew anything about Atlantis.
He talks to Quirrell later about not making the obvious suggestion in front of Dumbledore, and goes on to say:
Why is “summon Merlin” dangerous to suggest to someone who falsely believes in an afterlife? And if it is dangerous to suggest, why is it safe to actually do as a test?
He could ask Salazar Slytherin where the chamber of secrets was, perhaps.
Obviously Voldemort—to figure out what really happened that night.
My first thought was either Voldemort or his parents, but there is no way to verify what they say, so it could easily be a projection of the summoner’s own interpretation and doesn’t work as a test.