[HPforGrownups] Re: Harry's interference/ Is there a Wizard secrecy promise?

[Richelle Votaw]

No: HPFGUIDX 40945

Cindy writes:

> I was just thinking of this myself not too long ago. Actually, in most
cases,
> if Harry hadn't interefered there never would have been a problem in the
> first place. In the third book if he had just let Sirius kill Peter then

Harry does seem to get into more than his share of "trouble." I have a few
theories about this.  First of all, especially in SS/PS, he is a child who
doesn't have a clue what he's up against, obviously not having any idea that
Voldemort is actually residing in Quirrell, who he doesn't suspect anyway.
However, his intentions were noble--to save the stone from Voldemort and his
"assistants."  He and Ron and Hermione did try to go to Dumbledore first,
though since he wasn't there took it into their own hands.

Next, Harry's trying to prove to his professors, his classmates, and most of
all to himself that he is worthy of being in Hogwarts--and in Gryffindor.
He is also trying to live up to his parents legacy.  A legacy he still
doesn't fully understand.  Like the time in PoA that he sneaks off to
Hogsmeade when everyone thought Sirius Black was after him.  When Lupin
catches him and says "Your parents gave their lives to keep you alive,
Harry.  A poor way to repay them--gambling their sacrifice for a bag of
magic tricks."  Whoa, that's a punch in the stomach for you.  I think it had
really never occured to him how significant their sacrifice was.

Third, I think Dumbledore is curious about the extent of Harry's abilities.
Dumbledore's natural instincts are to protect Harry, keep him safe.  But
he's torn by his curiosity (to use my Matrix reference again) to learn if
Harry is really "The One."  What is "The One?"  Hmm, let's see.  He could
defeat Voldemort of course.  And the rest of the dark wizards.  Bring peace
to wizardkind.  But maybe there's something more?  As was well thought out
in the post "In Defense of Salazar Slytherin" (sorry, can't remember who
wrote it!) what if SS wasn't evil?  If Harry is somehow a
ancestor/descendent (never know which word to use, I'll use both) of SS,
could he restore honor to Slytherin house?  Possibly unite Slytherin and
Gryffindor?

On another note, I've been wondering if there is a sort of Wizard swearing
to secrecy.  For example, I'm sure it was common knowledge about insanity of
the Longbottoms.  Yet it is never mentioned.  Obviously some would be too
kind, possibly too scared to bring it up.  But others--what about Draco
Malfoy?  He'd love to take that one and run with it.  Surely his dad knows
about it.  And he doesn't keep much from Draco.  He knows about all the dark
arts stuff.  Okay, I'll admit he probably doesn't know his dad's a death
eater.  Anyhow, is there possibly some way that Wizards are sworn to
secrecy?  Some sort of unbreakable oath?  The only way Harry finds out is
through nosing in Dumbledore's memories.  And then Dumbledore tells him the
rest.

Could there be other things that have not been told by wizards because of
this?  Such as Harry's mom or dad's past?  Other things we don't know?
Thoughts about this?

Richelle