[HPforGrownups] Re: Great or lucky? (was Very good discussion question)

[Katze]

No: HPFGUIDX 32346

pippin_999 wrote:

> 
>   Actually, it's not at all a given that Harry is a great
> wizard...Ollivander only says that we can expect great things from
> him, and the Sorting Hat tells him he *could* be great.
>  It's only Hermione who says "You're a great wizard, Harry" and
> *in the book* the context is that he himself is thinking he was
> only lucky to defeat Voldemort the first time. Hermione is trying to
> assure him (and herself) that he has more than luck on his side,
> and that it is not magical power but how it is used (in the cause
> of friendship and loyalty) that makes a wizard great.
> 
> What sprang to my mind when you mentioned Greatness is that
> Hermione calls him a "Great Wizard" in PS/SS (where Harry
> goes on alone from the chess board), but then: how's she to
> know?

I've also thought about Harry's greatness, and whether it is luck or
true power. Right now, I believe his greatest strength is his bravery.
Here's a kind of list that I've been trying to keep in mind. I've kind
of noted whether I think this is a character strength, natural talent or
actual magical power:

1. He was one of the first to get his broom in his hand during the first
flying lesson, "Up!" (SS/PS) - [magical power]

2. Natural flyer (SS/PS) - [talent]

3. His patronus is mighty powerful, once he got it under control (PoA) -
[magical power]

4. He was able to put his pillow right on top of Hermione's without
thinking during Charms (much to his surprise) (GoF) - [magical power]

5. He held his own with V (GoF) - [character - bravery, magical (not
sure though because of the brother wands)]

6. He's a parselmouth powerful in a sense that he has control over
snakes. (CoS) - [magical power - even if he didn't have it
naturally...he does have the power to wield it]

7. 1000 galleons to Fred & George for their "Business" and told them to
buy Ron some new robes and to tell Ron they bought them (GoF) -
[character - compassion/kindness]

8. He was able to fight the Imperius curse, Voldemort's (GoF) -
[magical]

9. Blew up Marge and cause the closet door to open with not direction or
thought (SS/PS) - [magical power]

While I look at this list, I think, "Yeah...he's pretty powerful", but
we don't really have anything to compare him to except Ron and Hermione,
and Draco maybe. Hermione out of the entire group of students actually
seems most magical to me, because she learns and perfects things so
quickly. But how strong is she? We don't know how powerful her patronus
would be. We don't know if she can throw off the Imperious curse, and
can she wheild her powers without thinking/direction? I dunno...but my
impression right now is that Harry is much stronger in the bravery
department, than actual magical power. 

I think his powers are going to sneak up on him (much like Marge, and
the pillow, and the broom).

Just my .02 cents

-Katze