Is Harry ambitious? was Re: [HPforGrownups] Ambition in the Wizarding World

[finwitch]

No: HPFGUIDX 38723

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., Susanne <siskiou at e...> wrote:
> 
> 
> Hm, how ambitious is Harry, compared to Ron?
> Mostly, he already has the talent, and only needs a little
> help to bring it out.
> 
> Hermione certainly works hard, but does Harry?
> 
> Things happen to him, and he finds out he has many
> talents/abilities that help him out in those circumstances,
> but I don't really see him work very hard to make them
> happen.

No, he doesn't work hard on that... Only thing Harry ever did work 
hard for on his own desire - was to get that *letter* in PS. Or about 
not having to swallow violations on basic human rights. His ambitions 
are on having the things most children take for granted. - Sirius is 
the closest thing he can get... unless Lily and/or James turn out to 
be ghosting...

> In GoF, he doesn't really work all that hard on his tasks
> (though fear may have more to do with that) and would have
> never made it without many peoples' help (IMO).
> It's possible the other competitors had the same amount of
> help. I don't have time to re-read those sections right now.
> 
> Yes, he can fight the Imperius curse, but it was relatively
> easy for him, because of..., I guess we'll find out more
> about this in later books <g>.

Well, we *do* know how he hates to seem ridiculous to his peers - 
that's what made his hair grow back and shrunk Dudley's old sweaters 
that were way too big for him!
 
> And he does work on learning the Patronus Charm, but why
> don't any of the teacher try to help other students out with
> special charms?

How do we (Harry) know they don't? Hermione's Time Turner is one 
example of *special* education on other student, and Neville may be 
doing some extra Herbology. Most others don't *want* any extra 
lessons - but they'd get them if they just asked. I wouldn't be 
surprised if Hermione took animagi-lessons from McGonagall, her being 
so studious... registered, of course.
 
> Sure, Harry needs it the most, but other students could
> certainly benefit from it, too.
> 
> Maybe Harry really *isn't* the only one who could do it.

A *really* happy moment. The *happy* thought. Winning house-cup 
wasn't enough. Getting the letter from Hogwarts (first time *anyone* 
sent him a letter, first time he met a friendly person) *was* nearly 
enough, but not quite -- *Going to live with Sirius* was what finally 
did the trick (plus knowing he'd already *done* it). Happy thought 
that's happy enough to counter the *worst* moment of your life! A 
real, life-changing, happy turn.

> I actually think many students might be envious of Harry
> because he is given a lot more things/attention than any
> other student at Hogwarts (for a reason, of course, but they
> may not see it that way).

Again; Harry wouldn't necessarily know if they had any extra classes; 
and I think teachers *would* give such if asked. Hermione got her 
extra credit work from *Snape* and if he's giving it to Gryffindor...
 
> The sorting hat says that Harry has "a nice thirst to prove
> himself", but I don't really see him go out of his way to do
> this.

Prove himself. Oh, he *does* have that. But he wants to prove himself 
lovable and worthy - to *himself* - so it doesn't need to take that 
kind of action. Getting Hogwarts letter, having a friend or two, 
helping Neville to get the remembrall back, saving lives of others...

But he's wiser than thinking he gains it by good grades, by winning a 
house cup, following rules or being prefect; He desires a loving 
family - people who love him regardless of his performance. That's 
what held him tight by the Mirror - why Ron and Sirius are so very 
important to him.

-- Finwitch