Skip to main content

harry potter - Why did the Time Turner change the events in Prisoner of Azkaban?


When Harry, Ron and Hermione were first trying to complete their task "strange" things kept happening, such as being hit with rocks, saving Buckbeak (whether he was actually killed the first time, or it was just implied, however the wincing look on the trios face upon witnessing the execution would suggest that he was) howling to distract the transformed Prof. Lupin and casting a physical stag Patronus.




It was later revealed that these were in fact caused by their future selves via use of the Time Turner to try and change how events went down.



After using the time turner, the "present" Harry and Hermione (as opposed to their future selves) were now the ones committing these acts. The same disruptions seemingly took place, yet the timeline somehow changed.


How is this possible?



Answer



Nothing changes. You seem to be focussed on the execution of Buckbeak specifically, which I guess the movies portrayed badly? Here's the passage from the book. As you can see, they aren't actually around to see the execution.



Slowly, in a kind of horrified trance, Harry, Ron, and Hermione set off silently around Hagrid's house. As they reached the other side, the front door closed with a sharp snap.


"Please, let's hurry," Hermione whispered. "I can't stand it, I can't bear it...."



They started up the sloping lawn toward the castle. The sun was sinking fast now; the sky had turned to a clear, purple-tinged grey, but to the west there was a ruby-red glow.


... (some dialogue about Scabbers removed for length purposes)


They heard a door open behind them and men's voices.


"Oh, Ron, please let's move, they're going to do it!" Hermione breathed.


"Okay -- Scabbers, stay put --"


They walked forward; Harry, like Hermione, was trying not to listen to the rumble of voices behind them. Ron stopped again.


"I can't hold him -- Scabbers, shut up, everyone'll hear us --"


The rat was squealing wildly, but not loudly enough to cover up the sounds drifting from Hagrid's garden. There was a jumble of indistinct male voices, a silence, and then, without warning, the unmistakable swish and thud of an axe.


Hermione swayed on the spot.


"They did it!" she whispered to Harry. "I d -- don't believe it -- they did it!"




Later we see this scene from the other side, including the swish and thud of the axe. The very fact that the action is described using the exact same words is a clear indication that this is the same event we heard first time round.



"Where is it?" said the reedy voice of the Committee member. "Where is the beast?"


"It was tied here!" said the executioner furiously. I saw it! just here!"


"How extraordinary," said Dumbledore. There was a note of amusement in his voice.


"Beaky!" said Hagrid huskily.


There was a swishing noise, and the thud of an axe. The executioner seemed to have swung it into the fence in anger. And then came the howling, and this time they could hear Hagrid's words through his sobs.



Comments

Popular posts from this blog

harry potter - Did Dolores Umbridge Have Any Association with Voldemort (or Death Eaters) before His Return?

I noticed that Dolores Umbridge was born during the first Wizarding War, so it's very likely she wasn't a Death Eater then (but she is pretty evil -- who knows?). After that Voldemort was not around in a way that could affect many people, and most wouldn't know he was planning to rise again. During that time, and up through Voldemort's return (in Goblet of Fire ), did Umbridge have any connection with the Death Eaters or with Voldemort? Was she doing what she did on her own, or was it because of an association with Voldemort or his allies? Answer Dolores Umbridge was definitely not a good person. However, as Sirius points out, "the world isn't split into good people and Death Eaters". Remember that he also says that he doesn't believe Umbridge to be a Death Eater, but that she's evil enough (or something like that). I think there are two strong reasons to believe that: Umbridge was proud to do everything according to the law, except when she trie...

What is the etymology of Doctor Who?

I recently decided to watch Doctor Who, and started viewing the 2005 version. I have the first two episodes from the first season, and I can't help but wonder what is the etymology of the name "Doctor Who"? And why does the protagonist call himself "the Doctor" (or is it "the doctor")? Answer In the very first episode of Doctor Who (way back in 1963), the Doctor has a granddaughter going by the name "Susan Foreman", and the junkyard where the TARDIS is has the sign "I.M. Foreman". Barbara, who becomes one of the Doctor's companions, calls him "Doctor Foreman" (probably assuming that is his name given his relationship to Susan), and Ian (another early companion) does the same in the second episode, to which the Doctor says: Eh? Doctor who? What's he talking about? "Foreman" is most likely selected as a convenient surname for Susan to use because it happened to be on display near where the TARDIS landed....

story identification - Animation: floating island, flying pests

At least 20 years ago I watched a short animated film which stuck in my mind. The whole thing was wordless, possibly European, and I'm pretty sure I didn't imagine it... It featured a flying island which was inhabited by some creatures who (in my memory) reminded me of the Moomins. The island was frequently bothered by large winged animals who swooped around, although I don't think they did any actual damage. At the end one of the moomin creatures suddenly gets a weird feeling, feels forced to climb to the top of the island and then plunges down a shaft right through the centre - only to emerge at the bottom as one of the flyers. Answer Skywhales from 1983. The story begins with a man warning the tribe of approaching skywhales. The drummers then warn everybody of the hunt as everyone get prepared to set "sail". Except one man is found in his home sleeping as the noise wake him up. He then gets ready and is about to take his weapon as he hesitates then decides ...