SolveIt comments on Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality discussion thread, February 2015, chapter 111 - Less Wrong

3 Post author: b_sen 25 February 2015 06:52PM

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Comment author: lerjj 25 February 2015 08:33:54PM *  2 points [-]

Thanks for pointing out the false dilemma. I'm wondering whether he ever intended to kill Harry, specifically as to whether that gun is loaded.

Does anyone remember anything in Parseltongue which stated explicit intent to kill? I note that this line is not in Parseltonge:

I suppose you have doubts? Mark well, I could kill you this instant, for there is no longer a Headmaster of Hogwarts to be informed of it. Doubt me all you wish, but remember that.

The previous dialogue is in Parseltongue, and the dialogue ends after this. I'll go have a more critical look at earlier chapters but I'm predicting the gun in Harry's hand will go 'click'.

EDIT: my mistake, Harry brought his own gun. I have a strong sense of literary disbelief that Harry managed to shoot Voldemort while his horcruxes were so conveniently down. If the gun is not suspect, then back up hypotheses are: Voldemort can deflect bullets OR Voldemort's horcruxes were in fact still working.

Comment author: SolveIt 25 February 2015 08:41:25PM 1 point [-]

That's Harry's gun, not Voldemort's

Comment author: lerjj 25 February 2015 08:46:50PM 0 points [-]

Damn. I missed that hypothesis. I had been assuming that Harry had somehow gotten a hold of Voldemort's gun (somewhat confused as to how it was in his pouch though). But yes, that clearly fits the data better and of course both Riddles would have thought of muggle weapons in advance, especially General Chaos.