Quote:
Originally Posted by EatingPie
Indeed, they were pagan prior to being Christian. I heard a radio host going through the history of Christmas, and it's bounced around quite a lot in terms of defining tradition.
And we are kind of in the midst of another "bounce" so to speak. There has been a recent transition toward secularization.
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I'd venture to say that the current trend is well on its way to commercialism. In the current "politically correct" environment there are fewer and fewer cards that cater to a specific religion, increasingly they all wish the recipient a happy holiday and provide a slot to put the money or gift card.
I'm only being slightly facetious.
Quote:
Originally Posted by EatingPie
It may not be clear from my culled notes, but there are two references to blood.
1) Blood relationship, as you refer to in your post.
Dumbledore used this relationship to fashion protection for Harry at Privet Drive. As long as Harry called that home, he was safe there.
2) Harry's actual, physical blood flowing through his veins.
Lily's sacrifice imbues Harry's actual blood with magical protection.
Prior to the end of Goblet of Fire, Voldemort could not touch Harry without some terrible reaction (Voldemort-as-Quirrell, for example). In the graveyard at the end, Voldemort reconstructs his physical body, with one ingredient being Harry's own blood. After taking Harry's blood and making it part of his "new" body, he touches Harry without consequence.
Here's Harry explaining to Dumbledore (wait, isn't that backwards?).
Harry's physical blood, flowing through his veins, was imbued with the magical protection that resulted from his mother's loving sacrifice.
-Pie
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I think your second reference to the "blood in his veins" is just a way of saying it is a part of him. Sort of like saying that "Klingon's are violent, it's in their blood". Using Harry's blood in the potion was not as important as simply using a piece of Harry, so he could potentially have just off one of Harry's ears and tossed it in there. He probably used blood though because it mixed in better and was easier to swallow.