Harry Potter and the Invisibility Cloak?

Question

I keep thinking about the invisibility cloak and feeling i'm missing something important. Anybody got any thoughts about these questions?
We know James left the coat with Dumbledore to pass on to Harry, but do we know what were the circumstances? I mean couldn't it have just as easily been left in the vault w/ the money?
Also, leaving it w/Dumbledore makes me think they knew they would not be there to pass it on.
I wonder if the cloak was left w/DD to have it not in the Potter's pocession. Could James have been using it to spy on Voldemont? Could someone been using it to spy on the Potters or the Order? Or, was someone there that fateful night hidden under the cloak, maybe Longbottom?

Answer 1

Those are such good ideas! I love when people think of all these things that we missed. However, it may have been just a minor detail. I for one hope that Dumbledore had Harry's best interest at heart (I can't imagine Dumbledore conspiring against the Potters!). I know what you mean, though...some of the things she leaves a little open ended make us want to hear more.
One thing that has always bothered me is: What did Dudley experience when confronting the dementors in the fifth book? What horrible experiences did he relive?
I can't wait for the next book. I hope it is good and long and full of all the answers we are waiting for!!!! If you want to read about other people's theories, mugglenet.com has a great list of theories and conspiracy ideas! Enjoy!

Answer 2

Dumbledore gave him the cloak. It was sent with no name because Dumbledore did not want Harry to know. The cloak was passed on to Dumbledore by James Potter Harry's father. You find out in the last book that the cloak is no ordinary invisibility cloak but is actually one of the deathly Hallows. This means that the cloak "can conceal someone" from "death". The cloak is not ordinary because it also never wears out.

Answer 3

From Jo herself:
Another question we should be asking:
Why did Dumbledore have James invisibility cloak at the time of James death given that Dumbledore could make himself invisible without the aid if a cloak?

James Potter's Invisibility Cloak was inherited from his father.

Snape was not hiding under the invisibility cloak the night the Potters died.

James using it to spy on deatheaters is a possibility.

I don't think Longbottom was under it.

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Answer 4

That is a great question!!! I hope it is answered in DH.

If I had to guess, Voldemort knew about the cloak and equipped his Deatheaters with some sort of means to detect him. Thus he gave it to Dumbledore until Voldemort was defeated. Also, by the time he wanted to put the cloak into safe-keeping, it might have been too dangerous for him or Lily to show up in Diagon Ally and go to Gringotts.

It is certainly possible that the Potters knew that Voldemort might kill them before Harry grew up. You can assume that by the lengths they went to hide their whereabouts.

I doubt it was at the Potter's at the time of Voldemort's "visit". It wasn't mentioned by Hagrid when he brought Harry to Privit Lane and if Dumbledore had gone there and picked it up, why wouldn't he have taken Harry himself?

BTW, I don't think it is a horcrux, as some are now positing. Dumbledore said the only known possessions of Gryffindor were in Hogwarts--the sword and the hat (at least according to the hat). And in any event, when was it available for Voldemort to make it a horcrux? (I don't discount JKR surprising us though).

Answer 5

I think you're trying to overcomplicate the story behind the Invisibility Cloak. I think it's just as simple as James and Lily knew Voldemort was after them so James gave the cloak to Dumbledore either for the Order to use or so Dumbledore could pass it on to Harry. James probably trusted Dumbledore more than he trusted Gringotts to keep the cloak safe.

Answer 6

Wow, I never thought of those before! Bravo!

Here's what I think-Invisibility Cloaks are very valuable so I tink that the Potters' trusted Dumbledor more than anyone else to take good care of it until passed down to their son. I also am starting to agree with what yuo said about them knowing that they would not be there to pass the cloak down to Harry. I think they might have known that they were in danger and wanted someone that they knew would (1) take good care of it and (2) see Harry when he's older. (I.E.-They might not have given the cloak to Sirius seeing as he was in Azkaban and they weren't sure he'd ever get to see his godson to give him the opportunity to give the cloak to Harry.)

I hope this all helped.

Silver*Wolf

Answer 7

I like the Longbottom theory, but it could not have been either of them since they would have been incapacitated prior to Lilly and James' death. Maybe Dumbledore was there? They did seem to get the infant Harry out of the house before any other harm could come to him.

Answer 8

hello
I believe you are on the right track! I think that the potters knew about the propechy! Hiding?Leaving things? They had to have had at least an idea! As for what Dudley say I am clueless but I think that he is the one person who will get their magic late in life! Harry's powers started showing when he needed them...Dudley has never needed anything...never needed to stand up to someone..so why would he need magic but whatif something happens and he shows his magic...?
Taylor

Answer 9

Although that is a good idea on jk rowlings website that she will explain it in the 7th book