Philosopher's Stone set-up?

[shanerichmond at hotmail.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 29263

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., shanerichmond at h... wrote:
> 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?
> 


Thanks to all of those who have added their thoughts to my list of 
evidence. It now seems that we can add a couple more things:

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "Beck, Jim" <beckj at p...> wrote:
> I think JKR as much as says this through HP's own mouth -- about 
how AD
> knows pretty much everything that goes on at Hogwarts, and wanted 
to let HP
> have a chance to deal with Voldemort on his own.
>  
> -- Bexis

This is the most obvious piece and somehow I overlooked it. Thanks to 
Bexis, the quote is:
"I think he sort of wanted to give me a chance. I think he knows more 
or less everything that goes on here, you know. I reckon he had a 
pretty good idea we were going to try, and instead of stopping us, he 
taught us just enough to help. I don't think it was an accident he 
let me find out how the mirror worked. It's almost like he thought I 
had the right to face Voldemort if I could..." (PS Ch.17)

And as Dave adds:

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., Dave Hardenbrook <DaveH47 at m...> wrote:
> 
> All good points... I would add this:
> 
> 8. Why does Hagrid give Harry a flute for Christmas?  He had no 
reason
> to believe Harry was musically inclined.  It's like he was expecting
> Harry to use it to get past Fluffy all along.

So, is this evidence conclusive or are some people still unconvinced? 
I have to admit that the evidence is beginning to convince me (I was 
merely curious before) and it raises some questions:

Was Dumbledore really allowing Harry to risk his life? If so, what 
does that say about Dumbledore?
Is there any evidence of a back-up plan if Harry had failed?
If this was a set-up, and Dumbledore had much more control over 
events than we have seen, might that also be the case for the 
subsequent books?

I'd be interested to know your thoughts on this.

Thanks,
Shane