mjr comments on Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality discussion thread, part 3 - Less Wrong

5 Post author: Unnamed 30 August 2010 05:37AM

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Comment author: mjr 27 September 2010 09:17:25PM 1 point [-]

My working hypothesis would be a slight political correctness adjustment as to the perceived importance of being physically fit, even if improved self-esteem resulting from the physical changes would be sufficient for her to aim just a tad higher in her mates.

Also, the potion would need not just temporarily alter the mass (as would Polyjuice), but rather shed it extra-quick, so any such limit on Polyjuice wouldn't need to apply here.

Comment author: NihilCredo 27 September 2010 10:00:21PM *  3 points [-]

I considered that hypothesis, but the current text still mentions her having a "slim form".

EDIT: Fresh new change, "slim form, smooth skin, slight curves" has been replaced by just "lithe form".

EDIT2: I'm an idiot. I checked the wiki and the reason was much simpler: Petunia was actually supposed to have been thin in canon.