[HPforGrownups] Handicapping the Next Big Battle

[Katze]

No: HPFGUIDX 31735

cindysphynx wrote:

> Based on what I've read in our messages, there seems to be agreement
> that Harry's forces (Good) will triumph over Voldemort's forces
> (Evil) in the end.  At this point, however, it seems to me that JKR
> has really stacked the deck against the forces of Good.  Consider the
> personnel:

I'm not sure Rowling could get away with Evil winning out in the end. So...she has to have some machnisms for good
to come out. I think though, that instead of looking at each individual for their streangths and weaknesses, we
need to look at what they offer to the grand scheme. My gut is that...no matter how hard the good side tries, they
will not come out on top without their 1 crucial person, Harry. These people offer outstanding bits and pieces, and
work to Develop Harry into 1 powerful entitiy able to take out the bad side (kind of dramatic, I know).

> On Dumbledore's side, we have:
>
> Dumbledore -- Undoubtedly powerful, but appears to be increasingly
> weary and old.

He constantly works with Harry so that Harry can learn truth and knowledge. He protects Harry right now, until
Harry must go out on his own.

> Harry, Ron and Hermione -- Still not qualified wizards, having some
> DADA knowledge but no knowledge of how to attack a dark wizard.  Both
> Ron and Hermione have some work to do in DADA.

They aren't qualified...yet. I remember reading an interview with Rowling back in March of 1999, and she states
that HArry will come of age in the wizarding world and will be able to use magic outside school. I think there's
going to be a great battle at the end of book 7, when Harry is just about to graduate, or right after he graduates.
He'll have harnessed his powers (along with Ron and Hermione, who's powerful in her own right), and I suspect that
Harry's going to be powerful tricky wizard (on par with Dumbledore?).

> Lupin -- Probably talented, but his usefulness wanes with the moon.

Lupin, I suspect, worked as an auror before. He has lots of DADA knowledge, just like Snape. I think he's going to
be a crucial part to Harry's development in DADA (whether Lupin is teaching or not).

> Sirius -- Probably very skilled, but lacks a wand and has to look
> over his shoulder for MoM and dementors.  Has been outsmarted by
> Peter twice, and is a bit of a hot-head who makes rash decisions.

I think Sirius is going to be a protector. Rowling also stated in an interview that a person animagus is reflective
of the person. Sirius is a giant Dog. Dog are extremely protective of their families. So I suspect he'll be more of
a watcher/protector than anything.

> Snape -- Is probably on Dumbledore's side, but who can be sure?
> Probably has a great deal of DADA knowledge and can attack dark
> wizards and has mastered the Unforgiveable Curses.  Might be the most
> valuable member of Dumbledore's team, which is scary all by itself.

agreed

> McGonagall -- Almost a total blank slate.  We don't know what she
> knows how to do, other than turn into a cat and transfigure things.
> She probably doesn't know how to ward off a dementor based on her
> failure to prevent Crouch from losing his soul.

agreed

> The Weasleys -- Also a blank slate.  We don't know whether they are
> especially powerful, and the loyalty of Percy is questionable (sorry
> Penny!).

I think they play more of an emotional strength for Harry. V never had love or family. Harry didn't either, until
he met the Weasleys. This will come into play at a later point. Harry understand compassion, and love, where V does
not.

> Aurors -- Moody is undoubtedly talented, but he apparently can be
> beaten.  He was badly injured at least once, and he was overpowered
> by Wormtail and Crouch.  He was unable to throw off Crouch Jr.'s
> Imperius Curse.  He's far from invincible.

Aurors do seem to get the blunt end of the stick. The Longbottoms didn't come out so well either.

> On the other team, however, Voldemort has amassed the following:
>
> Voldemort -- Although his track record against Harry is not
> impressive, he ought to be more dangerous now than in his first
> reign, which makes him pretty darn dangerous.

<munch...> I agree with all your points for V's side.

> Giants and Dementors -- Likely to align themselves with Voldemort.
> We haven't yet seen any way to kill a dementor, only ward them off.
> Giants supposedly like killing.

I tink the good side will get either the Dementors or the Giants. I don't see them getting both.

> It seems that the wizards on Dumbledore's team have significant
> weaknesses or vulnerabilities, whereas the DEs do not (other than the
> tendencies to make Evil Overlord-style mistakes).  Voldemort's forces
> seem well-balanced, diverse and politically well-connected.  IMHO, it
> looks like an uphill battle for Dumbledore.

With Harry being so young and raw, he is open to all information and training (save Divination). V is arrogant, and
is unwilling to learn from other people. Good/Evil stories are best when the good side looks less powerful than the
evil side, and still win out in the end.

-Katze