Older vs. Ready

[Amanda Lewanski]

No: HPFGUIDX 10730

Kimberly wrote:

> Am I remembering wrong?  I thought it was when you are *ready*, you
> will know.  I don't think it's an age thing, like he was too young to
> understand it, but that he was (emotionally?  mentally?) not at a
> place where he could really understand or deal with it.  Maybe there's
> other stuff he has to learn before it can be clear to him?

Just to muddy the waters...it's both. Here's the quote (p. 299, American):

    "Alas, the first thing you ask me, I cannot tell you. Not today. Not
now. You will know, one day . . . put it from your mind for now, Harry.
When you are
older . . . I know you hate to hear this . . . when you are ready, you
will know."
    And Harry knew it would be no good to argue.

Didn't help much, did it? Either interpretation works.

--Amanda