The Elusive Harry Fortnight

[aprilgc at ivillage.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 17735

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., Amber <reanna20 at y...> wrote:
> 
> --- linman6868 at a... wrote:
> > Anyway, that's old news.  I was wondering further, after some people posted about why we're not talking about Harry as enthusiastically as Ron or Hermione, why this seems to be the case.  Someone (I forgot  who) said it was because Harry is more boring than the rest of them. 

Amber wrote:
> Hmmm, I don't quite think it's that. As you mentioned in your post, we see the wizarding world mostly through Harry's eyes and thoughts. 


...and we see the magic of the list? I can't find the post, so maybe 
I'm wrong (and my relative new-ness adds to the possibility).

It seems to me that I recall one of the problems with the extension of 
Ron week being that someone (who did, in fact remain pregnant till 
Harry week) might not be around to discuss Harry.  Do we think there's 
any truth to the rumors flying about that such a person (name omitted 
because she has not been officially charged with an offense) cast a 
"Snape Discussion Charm" (SDC) on the listmembers?  Knowing, as she 
does, that Snape fans (and anti-fans) are truly imaginative and 
prolific in their messages, she allegedly cast the charm.  The SDC ran 
away with the list.  Discussions concerned everything from Snape's 
behavior to his personal hygiene.  Or is it only coincidence that the 
cries of "We really need to discuss Harry!" are building momentum only 
a few days before the individual in question is slated to be back home 
(with her computer).
Rumor has it that MoM officials are investigating these serious 
allegations.
Neeta Skeeter (no relation)

Congratulations on the new baby!

On Harry...
I think he's going to be a somewhat different character in the next 
book.  I think the weaknesses we see now -- pride, stubbornness, 
unwillingness to trust adults, lack of intense study of wizard (& 
Potter) history -- are going to evolve based on the events in GoF.
His pride was pointed out to him (by BC, jr. of all people).  His lack 
of knowledge about Neville's background was pointedly questioned by 
Dumbledore.
I'm thinking he's going to spend whatever part of the summer he stays 
with the Dursleys reliving the major events of GoF and trying to figure 
out what, if anything, he could have done differently.  I think he's 
going to try to make himself better/stronger so that he won't have to 
helplessly witness the death of someone he cares about.
My rationale?
As far as the "reliving", that's natural.  Unfortunately, for Harry, 
the Dursleys aren't likely to care about the things he's been through, 
and take care to occupy him (get his mind off it).  If his summers go 
as usual, then aside from occasional cooking/cleaning and possible 
homework (which will also trigger memories), Harry won't have much to 
do but think about what he "could/should" have done.
I think Year 5 will see him more involved in the lives of other 
Gryffindors.  (Can't let BCjr be right about him, and he feels bad 
about knowing so little about Neville, and about N's situation. The 
thought was something along the lines of "Neville should be the one 
getting the sympathy, not me", but I don't have GoF, and can't quote or 
give reference.
I think "constant vigilance" is going to be stuck in his head (so to 
speak) not only in the memories of "Moody", but because if Harry had 
been more vigilant, then maybe... (speaking from Harry's POV).  In GoF, 
Harry seemed to be becoming more willing to trust adults, but then Rita 
told lies about him, he trusted "Moody", and Fudge turned against him 
(and he thinks he saw a gleam in Dumbledore's eye).  I think adults 
come across as fickle, if not downright untrustworthy - he may pull 
back some from the trust he was developing.
I also think he's going to (in his rehashing) remember hearing 
Dumbledore say to round up the old crowd, remember hearing the name 
"Arabella Figg", and wonder how common a name "Figg" is.  Maybe he'll 
even ask, "Uh, Uncle Vernon, what's Mrs. Figg's first name?" <vbg>

Thoughts, opinions, ideas all welcome.
a.