Dumbledore's attention to Harry an ammends for past mistakes?

[lupinwolf2001]

No: HPFGUIDX 77178

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Kelly M." <coonkell at m...> 
wrote:
> --- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "lupinwolf2001" 
> <lupinwolf2001 at y...> wrote:
> > We know that Dumbledore watches over Harry. We know that 
> he protects 
> > him while at the same time must prep him for being "the one" 
> (so to 
> > speak).
> > Is Dumbledore somewhat making ammends (through his 
> actions with 
> > Harry) for the attention he didn't give Tom Riddle? Could 
> Dumbledore 
> > have made a profound difference in an adolesant young 
> Riddle? I would 
> > imagine that it would have. While Dumbledore was not yet the 
> > headmaster, it seems that he had more contact with Tom (as a 
> teacher) 
> > than most headmasters would.
> snipped...
> 
> My 2 cents:
> Well, I think that Dumbledore kept a close eye on Riddle while he 
> was at school, but was he really to know exactly how he would 
> turn out and what he would become?  He may feel guilty for not 
> watching Tom more carefully, but I don't think that's the reason 
> he watches over Harry now.
> 
> He was taking care of Harry to begin with out of need - he didn't 
> think LV was really gone and felt obligated almost to take care of 
> Harry.  But we learned in OotP that Dumbledore is watching over 
> Harry now because he cares about him so much....maybe too 
> much.
> 
> Maybe Dumbledore didn't feel this sort of affection towards Tom 
> while he was at Hogwarts - he didn't have a need to.
> 
> -Kelly

While I certainly understand the "Dumbledore has an affinity for 
Harry becuase he has come to care for him since he has needed him" 
perspective... I just don't think that says TOO much about Dumbledore.

IF Dumbledore is having trouble differentiating between his 
obligation to the greater good and his emotion as it applies to Harry 
(and his happiness) it suggests that he is subject to being swayed 
emotionally.

Is it as "simple" as he likes Harry more than he likes Tom? Is it as 
complex as he has "grown" to love Harry because he has been forced to 
be part of his life due to his role in Voldemort's demise? 

IF so, what if Dumbledore HAD shown Tom Riddle this same 
affection/attention... would there have ever been a Voldemort?

Are these some of the mistakes that Dumbledore is alluding to in the 
end of OOTP?