Harry/Voldemort showdown in 2 years

[Donna]

No: HPFGUIDX 77641

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "ellejir" <eberte at v...> wrote:
> It strikes me that we (the readers of the series) most likely have 
> knowledge that the characters in the book *do not* seem to have.  
> *We* know that the story is going to end in two more years, and, 
> thus, that the final showdown between Harry and Lord V. is going to 
> happen during that time frame.  (I really doubt that JKR will end 
the 
> series with the trio taking their N.E.W.T.S. and throwing their 
> graduation caps in the air--if that is even done in the U.K.--and 
> then toss in an epilogue stating that Harry subsequently defeated 
> Lord V. and lived happily ever after.)
> That said, Harry seems very ill-prepared.  No one seems very 
> interested in preparing Harry for the final showdown.  Three of his 
5 
> DADA teachers have been incompetent (and a fourth was an insane 
> DE...)  If the prophecy is true, the fate of the whole WW depends 
on 
> Harry defeating Voldemort.  If anyone needs to learn defense 
against 
> the dark arts, it is Harry.  Yet DD remains strangely unconcerned 
> about Harry's preparation.  He sets Snape up as the Occlumency 
> teacher, and everyone falls all over himself telling Harry how 
> important it is that he master Occlumency.  Then Snape's ickle-
> feelings get hurt and he says "Screw the last hope of the wizarding 
> world!" and stops the lessons.
> I suppose one explanation is that DD realizes that Harry is 
> hopelessly outmatched by LV in terms of his magical skill and 
thinks 
> that the power that Harry has to defeat Lord V must be something 
> innate (i.e cannot be taught.)  Wizarding power seems to be mostly 
> inborn--rather like intelligence (i.e. you are born either to be a 
> squib or a Dumbledore, and no amount of academic instruction will 
> make you into a DD if you are a squib.)  Still....it seems to me 
that 
> Harry could use a bit more quality teaching. And they better get 
> cracking...
> Elle  (who believes--like Hermione--that Harry needs to stop 
fiddling 
> as Rome burns and study longer and harder)

I can appreciate your thinking here.  But does that explain 
Lockhart?  He is not a squib.  He can perform magic.  He said himself 
that he was particularly good at Memory Charms.  (Not sure if that 
was a quote from the book or the movie or both, as I do not have CoS 
handy).  There are degrees of talent in the WW.  Pettegrew was not 
particularly talented.  Witness how he had to work harder to become 
an animagus.

Yes, Harry should be getting more intensive training and perhaps 
paying better attention.  But now that he knows about the prophesy, 
don't you think, once he gets over his grief and anger, he might 
apply himself more knowing that it's either Voldemort or him?

I also believe that Harry is quite powerful.  There are various clues 
given in all the books.  Take, SS for example.  Harry is the only 
student who is able to summon his broom immediately.  Even Draco 
wasn't as quick as Harry.  

In PoA wasn't Lupin surprised at Harry being able to summon even a 
weak patronus?  And what about GoF, when Harry is able to defy the 
Imperious Curse, albeit with a little practice?  By the end of that 
lesson, he is able to throw off the curse entirely.

Just a few ideas.

D