It is so great to see so many people beginning to dig out the clues and hints in these forums! You guys have some great ideas and fresh thinking always helps keep things interesting. I hope it will help if I lay out the general guidelines for posting.

In these forums, we use the Canon (the books in the Harry Potter septology) as the basis for our theories. And we use the WWP sleuthing rules as laid out in Galadriel Water's WWP books. We also use as reference many of the interviews that JKR has given and the reading lists in WWP's books (although those are just a starting point!). Because JKR has extremely little input, we do not use anything from the movies as a basis for a theory. And, wherever possible, we cite the quotes and sources for our facts.

Let me elaborate a little bit more. Where we get into trouble in these forums (and usually wind up WAY off in left field somewhere) is when we try and violate what Galadriel Waters calls "2 degrees of separation". Let me give you all an example using her controversial Lupin/James theory.

We know (from the Canon) that Lupin seems almost unnaturally awkward and constrained in his dealings with Harry. We know (again from the Canon) that Lupin blanches when Harry describes hearing his mother's voice when a dementor is near. We know (still again from the Canon) that something happened right before the Fidelius Charm was performed that caused Lupin to suspect Sirius was the spy and caused Sirius to think Lupin was the spy. We know (yet again, from the Canon) that because of this suspicion, Sirius had Peter become the Potter's secret-keeper at the last minute and without telling anyone. Based on all this, it is a logical assumption that Lupin, too would take an extra precaution to protect James, Lily and Harry.....ie, the switching spell that eventually leaves James trapped in the (now-dead) Lupin's body. The important thing to remember here, is that each facet of that theory is directly supported in the Canon. That is called 1 degree of separation.

The problem is when someone takes that THEORY and uses it as the basis of another THEORY. For example; Lupin/James is so overcome with remorse that he inadvertently allowed his wife and best friend to die that he renounces all his wealth and becomes a social worker for disadvantaged wizards; living on the streets with them. That's why he always looks so shabby. I grant you, the theory I came up with is out there, but the point is that it ISN'T based directly on anything JKR wrote. That is 2 degrees of separation. Meaning this second theory is NOT based on the Canon, but on supposition.

What I am saying is that all theories are welcome in these forums, but you MUST provide documentation from the Canon to support them. Your theory has to have just the one degree of separation from the Canon to be valid.(Note--not correct, only Jo knows what's correct! "Just" valid.) Anything else is straying into the realms of FanFic, and has no place in these forums.

I hope I have made this point clear. If you have any questions, email me and I will try and explain it further.

OK, here's the biggest point for you to remember: your theories have merit. Now dig through the books and come up with the documentation that supports them. That's what these forums are all about and what makes them so much fun.

Good hunting!

BeachBum