Philosopher's Stone set-up?

[shanerichmond at hotmail.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 29215

Hi all,

I've seen this alluded to on the list but can't find a full 
discussion, so I wondered what people's thoughts are on the notion 
that the Philosopher's Stone puzzle might be a set-up to test Harry? 
Perhaps Dumbledore wants to test Harry's power?

There are several points in the book that suggest that this could be 
the case:

1. Hagrid takes Harry along when he empties the vault. Admittedly 
London could be a long trip from Hogwarts but if the task was truly 
secret why not collect the stone on the way to GET Harry rather than 
on the way back?

2. Once the stone is at Hogwarts why doesn't Dumbledore simply 
destroy it immediately? This could be because he intends to use it in 
the puzzle for Harry or, more likely, because destroying it means 
death for Flamel and hence is only a last resort.

3. Also, while Hagrid never lets slip Snape's debt to James, or 
Snape's grudge, or the true nature of Lupin, or Sirius Black's 
treachery - or indeed any of the other pieces of priveleged 
information that he has - he continually slips up and gives HRH clues 
about the stone.

4. Dumbledore gives the cloak to Harry, which allows him to find the 
Mirror of Erised. Dumbledore knows that Harry has seen the mirror, 
explains to him its purpose and then tells him that it will be moved 
and that "if you ever do run across it, you will be prepared." (PS 
Ch.12) Since Dumbledore intends to put it into the trapdoor, is he 
acknowledging the possibility that Harry will venture down through 
the trapdoor?

5. When Harry loses the cloak, someone, perhaps Dumbledore, ensures 
that it is returned to him.

6. Snape knows that Quirrell is after the stone and confronts him 
several times. Why doesn't he simply tell Dumbledore what he knows 
about Quirrell? Snape is loyal to Dumbledore, responsible and loves 
to tell tales - if he simply talks to Dumbledore then everything can 
be resolved with ease. Perhaps he does tell Dumbledore but Dumbledore 
is content to see how things play out?

7. In the hospital wing when Harry mentions Flamel, Dumbledore 
looks "pleased" and says "Oh you did do the thing properly didn't 
you?" (PS Ch.17) What is "the thing" if not some kind of test? Isn't 
that a strange way to phrase the remark?

Alone, each of my pieces of evidence is very circumstantial, I agree. 
But taken together, are they too much of a coincidence? So, crazy 
theory or not? What does everyone think?