Purpose vs. Destiny

[bugaloo37]

No: HPFGUIDX 43648

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., Carol Bainbridge <kaityf at j...> wrote:
> At 9/4/02 06:43 PM, bugaloo37 wrote:
> 
> >> >IMO-Harry is a free agent-who seems to
> >have certain special abilities which have proven to be effective
> >against Voldemort.  Where these abilities came from and how Harry
> >will develop them and for what purpose (theres my word again) he 
will
> >use them -will be left strictly up to him.
> 
Carol wrote:
> Again I agree.  It could be, though, that Dumbledore understands 
what that 
> special quality is that Harry has as well as why it is so 
significant, and 
> that understanding is what motivates him to set up those lessons 
and tasks 
> for Harry so that Harry will be equipped to take on Voldemort is 
that is 
> his choice.  After all, if Harry isn't prepared, there's not much 
choice, 
> is there?  He'd be toast.  If this is true, then we don't have to 
worry 
> about purpose any more than we'd have to worry about destiny.  
Harry's 
> ability would be something that is simply a part of him, a part 
that could 
> be put to good use, but it doesn't give him purpose, necessarily, 
nor does 
> it dictate his destiny.  It does, however, give him a serious 
choice to make.
> 
Bugaloo37 replies:
Thanks for your response.  I wanted to tell you I enjoyed it-
especially in reference to your comment above concerning Harry 
being "prepared" by Dumbledore.  IMO, Dumbledore is taking on the 
role of parent as far as Harry is concerned.  Harry has had no real 
guidance from adults so far in his life-only abuse.  Some of my 
favorite scenes in PoA are the ones in which Harry has one-on-one 
conversations with Lupin.  Lupin's obvious love and care for Harry 
are exactly what he needs after years of neglect( I love Lupin-by the 
way). To get back to Harry's being "prepared" by Dumbledore, IMO, 
this preparation is more than just the learning of skills or the 
development of Harry's unique gifts-it encompasses the instilling of 
Harry with the knowledge that he is held in high regard-not just for 
his talents-but also simply for himself.  His friendships with Ron 
and Hermione, the obvious affection of Mrs. Weasly-these things are 
also "preparation" in a sense because they increase self-esteem and 
enhance Harry's ability to love in return-which in turn increases the 
chances that when the time comes-he will make the right choices-even 
as these choices become ever more difficult to make. Also as a 
sidenote-but maybe not completely off the subject- one of Harry's 
biggest disappointments in PoA was also one of mine.  When Harry was 
unable to go and live with Sirius- I felt his disappointment so 
deeply.  I know that this situation was necessary plot-wise-but it 
still made me so sad for Harry.

bugaloo37-who if you haven't figured it out yet-simply loves Harry!!
(not to mention Lupin and Sirius-and not merely because they love 
Harry)