Where are we headed in #6?

[slgazit]

No: HPFGUIDX 76126

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "sienna291973" 
<jujupoet29 at h...> wrote:
> --- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "n_longbottom01" 
> If I could wade in here, I also think that in book six we will see 
> Harry trying to distance himself from those around him who know and 
> love him best.

I think that in book 6 we'll see him outgrowing the trio, rather
than isolating himself from them, and becoming a leader. Harry's
leadership qualities really begin to develop in book 5. Notice his
reluctance and hesitance when the idea of the DA is brought out,
but how he is completely in control of the club - including
the twins :-) - when the club is finally discovered. Later on
he is the clear leader within the group who goes to "rescue"
Sirius, even if the other members may disagree with his decisions
on certain points (esp. Neville) and propose alternatives.

For Harry to confront Voldemort as an equal (as implied by the
prophesy), he will have to develop beyond the small group of
followers that he had in the first 4 books. We see the beginning
of it with the DA, which grew around him despite the relentless
campaign against him in the school and outside. Now that he is
vindicated, I expect the DA (or something similar) to grow and
evolve a lot more in the coming books. If Voldemort has the DE
following him, we may well end up with Harry having the DA
in a rather similar role. Harry may not be a prefect or head boy
but will have a much more significant leadership role in the school
and perhaps outside as well.

Another reason that he will have to outgrow the trio (though I
am sure they will remain very close) is that despite their loyalty,
neither Hermione nor Ron have proven themselves as fighters.
They have both been put out of action fairly quickly in the last
book, and in the previous books they mostly contributed in the
way of ideas and comradeship, but the action was mostly done by
Harry (with the possible exception of book 1).
Ron and Hermione will
remain central to the plot, but in supporting roles, whereas
others (esp. Neville) will take on more active roles in the
eventual fight.

> I think it will be 
> only natural that in Book 6, we will see Harry dealing with 
feelings 
> of extreme isolation from those around him (and isn't this a major 
> theme of adolescence as well - especially around the age of 16?).

At 16 kids begin to outgrow that stage. Also it will be very much
unlike Rawling's style to repeat the same theme in two books. Harry
dealt with anger, isolation and ridicule in book 5. I expect that
book 6 theme will focus on his reintegration into the wizard world
as an adult (or almost-adult) level instead of the wonderkind
role he's had up till now. That is already beginning with the
final scene of book 5, where for the first time, the wizard world
takes an active stand wrt Harry's treatment by his muggle relatives.
This will nicely set the stage for
the inevitable "final battle" in book 7. I can't see him going to
fight LV when he is angry and isolated. He has to feel part of the
world he is defending at that point.

Salit