Average Harry -- Harry & Hermione Potential Conflict

[meboriqua at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 18943

Hello!
> 
> I think there was something about infant Harry that was special.  I
> think child/adolescent Harry remains special.  
But, I do think Harry has stronger than average innate magical 
abilities, and I don't have a problem imagining that he has a destiny.

I agree with you on that one, even if his specialness is due, in part, 
to his inner strength and ability to handle himself so well in 
difficult situations.  Harry already has abilities that are magical 
that set him apart (his "seeing" in his dreams, for one and 
Parseltongue, for another), and I get the feeling his parents were 
both powerful and intelligent witches/wizards.  So why wouldn't that 
be passed on to Harry?  His "stronger than usual innate magical 
abilities" cannot be from nowhere.  

His abilities, I believe, were also "given" to him for a reason (I 
kind of believe in that), because he can handle it.  Would Ron deal as 
well with being a Parselmouth?  I doubt it.  
> 
> > If Harry is triumphant it will be not because he was destined to 
be so ("the stars have been read wrongly before now," after all) but
> > because of what he chose to make of his considerable talents.
> > I don't think he is destined to be triumphant.  I think he could 
be destined to be a threat, and it will be his choices (combined with 
using his strengths and overcoming his weaknesses) that will determine 
the final outcome.  I don't discount the argument that a strong theme 
withinthe books has to do with the choices and the ability of a person 
to shape his/her own moral development & character through good or bad
> choices.  But, as Ebony noted, one can have a destiny & still have
> choices.>

That is very true.  One can have incredible talent and not do anything 
with it.  Perhaps a young girl discovers she has a beautiful singing 
voice but never sings for an audience.  Harry may be a super Quidditch 
player, but I doubt he'll pursue it as a career.

I'm not sure what Harry's destiny is, but JKR has said, IIRC that the 
characters will from now on have to distinguish between what is easy 
and what is right, and that certainly comes down to the choices they 
make.  Will Harry want to do what is easy?  Sure.  But will he?  I 
don't think he has yet - not allowing Wormtail to be killed is a good 
example.

I don't know if this is destiny or not, but we certainly know that 
Harry must face an ultimate showdown with Voldemort.  I believe that 
Harry will be the cause of Voldie's downfall for good, but I don't 
know if Harry will pay for it by losing his own life.  Now that's 
making a choice bewteen easy and right!

--jenny from ravenclaw********************