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

[darrin_burnett]

No: HPFGUIDX 41203

Richelle, in response to questions about whether Dumbledore knew:

> To which Dumbledore replied "It's the best place for him."
> 
> My only explanation was in relation to the dementors.  If they were 
going to
> be after Harry for one reason or another, and are only attracted to 
happy
> memories/ thoughts, etc. then Dumbledore would have wanted him to 
have no
> happy memories.  Which he didn't, if you'll recall when learning the
> Patronus Charm his only happy memories were post Privet Drive.
> 


YES, but happy memories are also the defense against Dementors. The 
more happy memories, the better off your Patronus. Who's to say a 
happier childhood wouldn't have helped out?

And since the Dementors target Harry almost exclusively, this is 
either not the reason OR the plan failed miserably.


> > know about Quidditch and wizards and such.  Was it because of the
> > letter Dumbledore left? Hagrid was there when Harry was dropped on
> 
> 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.

> 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.  

I don't see how Harry growing up physically and emotionally abused is 
what Dumbledore wanted. If it's something he had to accept in order 
to maintain Harry's protection from Voldemort, fine. But I do not see 
any benefits to it. Harry could have been raised in a loving, normal 
home and still not known anything about wizards. 


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.  As they say, Ignorance is bliss.
> 


Maybe ignorance is, but getting frying pans chucked at your head, 
being a punching bag for an overweight slob and being the house slave 
sure isn't. 

And again, being raised in a better household doesn't mean he has to 
know anything about who he is.

Dumbledore has said he wants Harry to stay at the Dursleys. There has 
to be a reason, and blood relatives just ain't cutting it any longer. 
Harry is better off with the Weasleys, the Grangers, or even with 
Sirius on the run, than he is with the Dursleys, UNLESS there is a 
magical reason for it.

Darrin
-- Doesn't want the Dursleys to be alive in the end