Dumbledore's Decision and the Explanation for it we have yet to see

[archeaologee]

No: HPFGUIDX 41201

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., Richelle wrote:
 
> Yep, Dumbledore knew.  McGonagall sat on the fence all day as a cat 
and
> watched them.  She tells Dumbledore "You can't mean the people 
living here?
> Dumbledore--you can't.  I've been watching them all day.  You 
couldn't find
> two people who are less like us.  And they've got this son--I saw 
him
> kicking his mother all the way up the street, screaming for 
sweets.  Harry
> Potter come and live here!"

I agree McGonagall has been there all day, but what has she seen?  As 
far as I'm aware all she's witnessed is Vernon drive to and from 
work, and probably Petunia's head craning a lot.  As for Dudley 
kicking, well how many of us acted that way as children.

Minerva is simply remarking on their *muggleness* imo, there's no 
evidence of anything else in the text (from her pov).

 

<snip bit about Dumbledore not wanting Harry to know about the 
wizarding world>


> I think so.  I don't think that Dumbledore necessarily wanted Harry 
to know
> about the wizarding world.  Hagrid, of course, assumed that was in 
the
> letter.  Dumbledore said "His aunt and uncle will be able to explain
> everything to him when he is older."  What was everything, 
exactly?  He sure
> couldn't  expect Muggles to teach Harry about things in the wizard 
world.

Petunia knew a LOT about the WW, not only did she grow up with a 
witch in the house, but a head girl of Hogwarts.  In fact as far as I 
recall Harry's maternal grandparents the Evans' (which I don't think 
are mentioned as alive) were very supporting of magic folk.  That is 
part of the reason Petunia hated Lilly so, she had something that she 
could never have and that their parents were proud of.  If Dumbledore 
heard anything from Lilly about her home life it would only have been 
good - with a few remarks about an anoying sister.  I hated my sister 
while we were at school, I would love her to take care of my 
(hopefully hypothetical) child now. 


> He probably only had enough information to get by on--as little as 
possible.
> I think that perhaps he wanted Harry to grow up just as he did.  If 
he had
> been raised to think he were going to be a great wizard, he may 
have become
> more like Draco Malfoy and less like the Harry Potter we know.  


I really can't believe Dumbledore (spymaster that he may be) knew 
what Harry was in for.  He may be a shrewd judge of character, but he 
has never even layed eyes on the Dursley's as far as I am aware.  
Voldemort doesn't and can't understand love, or freindship, or even 
loyalty that is not based on self interest - similarly I don't think 
Dumbledore could understand the mentality of anyone as petty and mean 
spirited as the Dursleys.  

As for Harry growing up like Draco, I don't think so.  His upbringing 
could very easily have turned him into a bully, or a social retard 
(he never had any friends), or anything.  In fact (and I believe the 
cannon remarks on this , but can't remember where) Harry is 
remarkable in how generouse and kind he is, his upbrining certainly 
never rewarded such traits.  In Harry's case - nature over nurture 
every time.


Schnoogles,

James