[HPforGrownups] Harry's emotions (was Re: "Delicate" Harry)

[Richelle Votaw]

No: HPFGUIDX 43132

Nightngle wrote:

> I agree with the others who listed reasons that Harry is emotionally
> delicate. He also has the British "stiff upper lip" and desire to
> appear strong.
>
> One of the most heartbreaking scenes in GoF for me was when Mrs.
> Weasley is holding Harry as a mother would, and the 13 years of tears
> he needs to shead were welling up, ready to break free. Then the
> sudden noise of Hermoine catching Rita breaks the moment.

Mmm, probably my single favorite and least favorite scene in GoF.  Favorite
because I wanted so badly for Harry to have that much needed hug, and least
favorite because it was interrupted before he broke through emotionally.
Which leads me to believe that something worse yet will happen (obviously!)
that will cause Harry to break down emotionally.  I don't mean a nervous
breakdown, just an emotional overload.

> Dumbledore was right that Harry needed to recollect the events in the
> presence of stable, mindful listeners and then to sleep. Harry also
> needs to cry in the arms of a caring person. To me, Harry continues
> to be wounded, in a way that even Fawlkes can not heal through the
> tears he sheads. The tears of the phoenix have seemed a symbol to me
> since CoS that Harry's healing needs to be through tears.

Healing through tears, like the phoenix, I'd never thought of it that way.
I like that.  I can't really see Harry crying in anybody's arms but Molly
Weasley.  I don't think there's anyone else (female) he trusts enough, and
it's just not a scene I can imagine without a woman's touch!

But what will be the one thing to push Harry's emotions over the edge?  The
first thing that comes to mind is Hagrid.  If something happens to Hagrid,
it would bring a rush of emotion and depending on the surroundings might be
enough to send Harry into a flood of tears that have been bottled up for 14+
years.  If Hagrid were to die, I'm trying to think of  way that would put
Molly Weasley telling Harry about it.  I suppose if Harry were with the
Weasleys at their house at the time (end of summer?  Christmas even?)
Dumbledore would want Harry to know before he got to Hogwarts Express and
heard it through the grape vine.  Yet it wouldn't be right to just send an
owl directly to Harry.  After all, Hagrid was the first person from the WW
Harry encountered (old enough to know anyway), his first friend, gave him
his first real birthday present, first birthday cake, etc.  So maybe
Dumbledore would send a message to Molly, and she in turn would tell Harry.
And that would be enough to break the emotional dam that's been building up
since he was a baby.

I know, I know, I've written off poor old Hagrid again.  Sorry about that.

Richelle