Harry Potter, Kwizatch Haderach?

[Eric Oppen]

No: HPFGUIDX 43626

I was re-reading Frank Herbert's novel _Dune_ some time ago, and it occured
to me that there are some parallels between the experiences of the young
Paul Atreides and Harry Potter.

While it's not emphasized in _Dune,_ due to the abrupt change of
circumstances that sends Paul and his mother Jessica fleeing into the desert
to hide with the Fremen tribesmen, Paul is being trained, among other
things, to be what the Duniverse calls a "mentat;" basically, a human
computer.  His father tells him this in the early part of the book, and says
something to the effect that "at about this point, the future mentat must
decide whether or not to continue with the training; it can no longer be
done _to_ him without his knowledge."  Unhesitatingly, Paul decides to
continue with the training, now knowing why his trainers do what they do.

I could make a case that something of this sort is being done with Harry,
and that a lot of the events that have happened are orchestrated by
Dumbledore, particularly in PS/SS, to shape Harry into the sort of wizard
that may be what is necessary to put a final end to Voldemort.  The
succession of traps in PS/SS look more like tests than actual attempts to
stop somebody; and it's made clear that Quirdemort didn't have much trouble
with them (although we don't know _how_ he got past the Giant Chess Set or
the potions---is this ever cleared up?)

At some point in the series, Harry will be called in to Dumbledore's office
and have it explained to him that what he's been going through (beyond his
normal wizardly education) is special to make him the wizard that'll defeat
the Dark Lord.  Harry will then be given the choice about whether he wants
to go on with the training, or abandon it and merely go through the rest of
his education like any other young wizard.  I also think that if this is the
case, I know what choice he'll make.