[HPforGrownups] Harry's First Dream: In retrospect...

[MeriLeslie26 at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 27468

{- Was it Voldemort magically trying to influence Harry to join 
Slytherin and the 'dark side' through his dreams?

or

- Was it Harry having a true vision of his destiny that was supposed 
to be with the Slytherins? (which he chose against)
}

My response would be neither.  I took the dream as Harry's subconscious 
clueing into Voldemort's presence behind the turban.  Consciously, Harry 
thought it was Snape's stare that made his scar hurt.  Subconsciously, or 
even by magical link, he noticed that is was something behind the turban that 
was evil, or not quite so good.  Compound that with his stress of the first 
day, almost being put into Slytherin, and being afraid that he just escaped 
being put into this "evil" house by his insistence.  

It is my belief that dreams can offer us a look into our subconscious mind 
through using our worries, events of the day, etc.  I thought this dream 
sequence was a clever diversion of JKR to clue us into Quirrell's turban, as 
well as show us Harry's deeper concerns.  Fitting in, being a good person, 
wondering why he was saved and his parents killed,  could there be something 
evil about him, etc.?  (Sorry about the lax grammar, I enjoy stream of 
conscious writing.)

To sum this up, I believe this dream gives us a piece of foreshadowing about 
what is behind Quirell's turban.  Moreover, it gives us a glimpse into the 
worries and concerns of this 11 year old boy who has just begun the first 
step of a 7 year journey.  

Leslie


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