[HPforGrownups] Harry seeing AK on spiders (was Neville)

[Richelle Votaw]

No: HPFGUIDX 43732


Melody writes:

> It really abused both Harry and Neville really, but I think Dumbledore
> and Moody/Crouch thought it would help toughen them up a little by
> showing them what they already know exists.  Childhood memories are
> often worse than the real deal, though I can not imagine torture and
> death getting worse.

Okay, I have a problem understanding how it can help Harry to find out
exactly how his parents died in such a way.  The way I read it, Harry did
not know the actual curse used to kill his parents.  He sees Moody/Crouch
Avada Kedavra the spider.  Moody/Crouch calmly says "Not nice, Not pleasant.
And there's no countercurse.  There's no blocking it.  Only one person has
ever survived it and he's sitting right in front of me."  Harry's face
reddens as everyone stares at him, and he thinks to himself "So that was how
his parents had died . . . exactly like that spider."

After class Moody/Crouch, so *kindly* (note my sarcasm here) asks Harry "You
all right, are you Potter?"  "Yes," said Harry, almost defiantly.

That defiant answer tells me that no, Harry wasn't all right.  It was a
stupid question.  Let me translate, "I've just shown you in front of all
your friends and classmates with no warning or preparation whatsoever
exactly how your parents died.  You okay with that?"  I think Moody/Crouch
was right when he said "You've got to know.  It seems harsh, maybe, but
you've got to know."  Yes, he did have to know.  But there are easier ways
of getting the point across.  Like, maybe, in *private!*  Prepare him a bit
before class.

Then Ron goes out carrying on about what a great lesson it was, saying "When
he did Avada Kedavra, the way that spider just *died,* just snuffed it
right--" and fell suddenly silent at the look on Harry's face and didn't
speak again until they reached the great hall, and then it was to talk about
Divination homework.  So, no, Harry *wasn't* all right.  It was cruel, and I
personally don't think it was approved by Dumbledore.  Certainly not the way
he went about it.

It makes for an interesting class, yes.  He knows his "stuff" yes.  But he
has no respect whatsoever for the feelings of his students.  This is not a
simple issue.  It's the way Harry learns *how* his parents were killed.  And
even if Moody/Crouch didn't know whether or not Harry knew, he should have
talked with him privately before the lesson.  I know, I'm thinking like a
first grade teacher again, but it's true!

Richelle