What did that silver instrument mean?

[FayeKasumiValentine1]

In OotP, I'm referring to when Dumbledore taps that silver instrument and the snakes come out of it. Then he says "naturally, but in essence divided?" and the snakes split apart. That thing has been driving me nuts almost as much as the veil. What does it mean? I have no clue what it could do, unless it's some way the Order communicates with each other? Maybe a sort of wizard lie detector?  

[non642]

hmm, I recall that thing, but vaguely. What chapter is it in?  

[The Bookwyrm]

It almost seems to be some type of divination tool, or possibly something to help the user organize their thoughts a bit more. I really don't know.  

[FayeKasumiValentine1]

The silver instrument is mentioned in chapter twenty-two, St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries and the strange instrument is mostly mentioned on page 470.
"Dumbledore now swooped down upon one of the fragile silver instruments whose function Harry had never known, and carried it over to his desk, sat down facing them again, and tapped it gently with his wand. The instrument tinkled into life at once with rhythmic clinking noises. Tiny puffs of pale green smoke issued from the minuscule silver tube at the top. Dumbledore watched the smoke closely, his brow furrowed, and after a few seconds, the tiny puffs became a steady stream of smoke that thickened, and coiled into the air... A serpent's head grew out of the end of it, opening its mouth wide, Harry wondered whether the instrument was confirming his story: He looked eargerly at Dumbledore for a sign that he was right, but Dumbledore did not look up."

" Naturally, naturally," mummered Dumbledore apparently to himself, observing the steady stream of smoke without the slightest sign of suprise. "But in essence divided?"

"Harry could make neither heads nor tail of this question. The smoke serpent, however, split itself instantly into two snakes, both coiling and undulating in the dark air. With a grim look of satisfaction Dumbledore gave the intrument another gentle tap with his wand. The clinking noise slowed and died, and the smoke serpents grew fain, became a formles haze, and vanished." Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Page 470.

*See what I mean it absoultly makes no sense! Just like most of the department of mysteries.*  

[The Bookwyrm]

FayeKasumiValentine1

That thing has been driving me nuts almost as much as the veil. What does it mean?

The veil is easy to explain. Once upon a time, the Celtic peoples occupied most of Europe. They believed that there was a "veil" that seperated the world of the living from the land of the dead. It was believed to be more of a vein of fog or mist, but it's been treated in more recent times as veil int he sense of a piece of fabric. That archway was a gateway into the land of the dead, and the veil over it was the "veil" that seperates the two worlds. By passing through that veil, Sirius entered the land of the dead, and therefore died in Rowling's treatment of this piece of mythology.  

[non642]

Thanks for the quote FKV.

hmm, that thing is a bit bizarre. If I had to guess I would say that it is doing exactly what Harry thinks it is: confirming his story. When Dumbledore asks "but in essence divided?" the snake splits apart because, while Harry was a part of the snake in the dream, he and Voldemort are still separate. He is not completely under Voldemort's control.

That's my take on it - that the contraption is some sort of way to confirm/disprove ideas.  

[Dr. Taffy]

Gypsy Blue

FayeKasumiValentine1

That thing has been driving me nuts almost as much as the veil. What does it mean?

The veil is easy to explain. Once upon a time, the Celtic peoples occupied most of Europe. They believed that there was a "veil" that seperated the world of the living from the land of the dead. It was believed to be more of a vein of fog or mist, but it's been treated in more recent times as veil int he sense of a piece of fabric. That archway was a gateway into the land of the dead, and the veil over it was the "veil" that seperates the two worlds. By passing through that veil, Sirius entered the land of the dead, and therefore died in Rowling's treatment of this piece of mythology.

thankyou.  

[The Bookwyrm]

bbaxel32

Gypsy Blue

FayeKasumiValentine1

That thing has been driving me nuts almost as much as the veil. What does it mean?

The veil is easy to explain. Once upon a time, the Celtic peoples occupied most of Europe. They believed that there was a "veil" that seperated the world of the living from the land of the dead. It was believed to be more of a vein of fog or mist, but it's been treated in more recent times as veil int he sense of a piece of fabric. That archway was a gateway into the land of the dead, and the veil over it was the "veil" that seperates the two worlds. By passing through that veil, Sirius entered the land of the dead, and therefore died in Rowling's treatment of this piece of mythology.

thankyou.

No problem! biggrin  

[dragons375]

To the Hindus the veil was where people released their souls never to return even as a ghost, anyway the veil is an omen of death every way you look at it...  

[The Bookwyrm]

dragons375

To the Hindus the veil was where people released their souls never to return even as a ghost, anyway the veil is an omen of death every way you look at it...

Wow, I never knew it was a part of Hindu mythos, as well. Good to know!  

[shruti_frutie]

Gypsy Blue

FayeKasumiValentine1

That thing has been driving me nuts almost as much as the veil. What does it mean?

The veil is easy to explain. Once upon a time, the Celtic peoples occupied most of Europe. They believed that there was a "veil" that seperated the world of the living from the land of the dead. It was believed to be more of a vein of fog or mist, but it's been treated in more recent times as veil int he sense of a piece of fabric. That archway was a gateway into the land of the dead, and the veil over it was the "veil" that seperates the two worlds. By passing through that veil, Sirius entered the land of the dead, and therefore died in Rowling's treatment of this piece of mythology.

ya but if u just kinda stepped half way between the veil would u die or would u live and see all the dead ppl? and bout that silver instrument it was probably supposed to imply dumbledore's mysteriousness!!??!!  

[shruti_frutie]

dragons375

To the Hindus the veil was where people released their souls never to return even as a ghost, anyway the veil is an omen of death every way you look at it...

not to be contsadictory but i am a indu and for hinuds a veil does not mean death. a woman had to wear a veil over her face because that was supposed to mean adornment ( decoration etc.)!!  

[The Bookwyrm]

shruti_frutie

ya but if u just kinda stepped half way between the veil would u die or would u live and see all the dead ppl? and bout that silver instrument it was probably supposed to imply dumbledore's mysteriousness!!??!!

In the contect the J.K. Rowling Wote it, I would say that by standing in the middle of the arch way would likely kill you. You can't be half alive, and half dead at the same time. According to the Celts, though, it would have made no difference. As for the instrument, I really don't know what it was. Too hard to tell at this point, but I think it will come up again in another book soon.  

[RubyRays]

shruti_frutie

not to be contsadictory but i am a indu and for hinuds a veil does not mean death. a woman had to wear a veil over her face because that was supposed to mean adornment ( decoration etc.)!!

in my sisters college relgion book thats what it says.

dragons375

To the Hindus the veil was where people released their souls never to return even as a ghost, anyway the veil is an omen of death every way you look at it...

tha's what it says ::points upwards::  

[willowtree]

I read a theory somewhere, I think it was Mugglenet, about Sirius. It wondered why only Harry and Neville were in the room when Sirius fell through the veil. Other than Luna, they were the only ones of the group who could already see the thestrals. Had any of the others been in the room, they would now be able to see them, or would they? As far as Sirius goes, I think he's probably gone, but I would like it if there was some way for Harry to at least communicate with him.