Down With Bumble-bore! (plus unfounded speculation on Books 6,7)

[Dennis]

No: HPFGUIDX 86787

Part I: Bumblebore

Take note: Bumble-bore *not* Dumbledore.  I say "Bumblebore" because that's
what Dumbledore was in OotP.  First the bore: He was barely involved in
anything written in Book 5 (understandably as his own mistakes required he
avoid Harry, and the study of politics presented requires his inaction in
other matters.)  I keep hearing about him being the most powerful wizard in
the world, but where's the action?  There have been hints at the ends of
both GoF and OotP when magical prowess seems to exude from him, but those
hints are the only taste we've had of his abilities.  I was quite
disappointed to see so little of him in Book 5, though I realize it will
undoubtedly be necessary to the septology plot as the next books come.  How
boring...

Next, Bumbledore was sloppy, making a mistake by not telling Harry what he
needed to know, and then compounding the problem by not even providing a
reason for Occlumency.  It is incomprehensible to me that he didn't hear of
Harry's dream of the Dept. of Mysteries door from Snape, so why wouldn't he
tell Harry, even by messenger, something like, "No matter what the situation
seems, you must never go there.  Ne-ver.  That is exactly what the enemy
wants."  

The argument (which I consider flaky) is that perhaps Dumblebore didn't want
to tip his hand to Voldemort.  Why would Dumbledore care if Voldemort knew
that Dumbledore knew what Voldemort wanted, ala they prophecy? (Read that 3
times fast!) I think this is exactly what Dumbledore should have done, in
essence saying, "I know what you're after.  If you want it, you will have to
come in person, at which point *I* will be waiting."  But Bumblebore did
not.  So unlike him.

Final mistake: Snape teaching Harry.  Obviously Bumblebore has forgotten his
childhood. (I don't think he could have, BTW, with "Weasly is our King" in
his head, were he a time-shifted Ron.)  How could he possible think that
Snape would not retaliate against Harry for his father's bullying?  They
look just alike, and I'm sure Dumbledore knew of the bullying.  He knows
very nearly everything that goes on in the castle in secret.  He had to be
aware of bullying right out in the courtyard next to the lake.  If he had
any sense of people at all, he would have known that the reversal of roles
would be too much for Snape to overcome.  Now he could look down at James's
image in his son.  He, Snape, is now the more powerful one.  Almost
everyone, if given this chance to avenge the display of one's dingy
under-things would have given in to the temptation.  I know I would have.
And I don't even value the Slytherin mantra very much...

What a bumbling bore is Dumbledore, indeed.

Part II: Speculation on the Absence of Bumblebore and Angst-Filled Harry in
Future Books

Fortunately for those who share with me the frustration of their favorite
character's failures (those that prefer Harry, for instance), I believe we
will see quite a change in the following books.  Hopefully in the sooner
one, rather than the later. Bumblebore is out, and Dumbledore is back.  I
think Dumbledore, unrestrained by politics now that everyone has been warned
of Voldemort, will show his powers.  I think we'll see him taking all sorts
of actions.  I'm hoping for that splendid "Battle of Hogwarts" scene.  I
crave to see Dumbledore do more than a couple Stunning Spells.  I want the
full-fledged, unabashed, top-of-his-game, "World's Most Powerful Wizard
(TM)." 

I see this change extending in to Harry also, since Dumbledore will no
longer be bumbling around him, pretending he doesn't exist like a common
Dursley muggle.  I think there's some more explaining and teaching to be
done, and I think we will see it done by Dumbledore this time.  Just this
fatherly behavior and love, which he will find from Dumbledore in even
greater measure than from Sirius, will be enough to turn Harry's foul mood
around.  

Harry will finally have the complete love he has not know previously, that
of a parental figure.  Somehow, I think that this completed love will become
the key to his defeating Voldemort.  I fear it may come down to Dumbledore
meeting a "sticky end."  If so, perhaps he will die for Harry.  At which
point Harry will realize that Dumbledore's spirit is living on inside of
him.  Another sort of ancient magic resulting from a different kind of
sacrifice.  Perhaps his grandfather's this time, or something along those
lines?

Anyway, Voldemort would then have to confront his greatest fear and the one
with the power to defeat him in one package.  Sort of an "unbeatable
combination," wouldn't you think?


Part III: Unfounded Speculation, General

I hope to hear, "Very well, Severus.  As you do not wish to teach Harry
potions, you shall take on Defense Against the Dark Arts this year,
something Harry has very little need of anyway."  A new, fantastic
potions-master would be required, of course.  Perhaps a Weasley or Krum?
Sadly, the jinx will get Snape too, and Voldemort will discover his
treachery and kill him after being unable to retrieve information about
Harry from his mind.  Snape will return as a ghost, and teach Potions.
*grin*

I haven't decided whether Harry will survive, though I lean toward his
becoming an Auror as McGonagall swore, even though she has sadly been killed
by Umbridge who was a Death Eater afterall.  (I *did* mention this as
unfounded speculation, right?)  I think good things are in store for
everyone else too, and don't see much death happening to the children.  Not
Neville, Ron, and Hermione, anyway.  I haven't got specific theories, but I
bet Ron does something that makes him richer than his brothers.  Or either
he'll follow his Dad's footsteps and do something worthwhile but with a
piteous salary.


And there you have my two knuts, which is long enough to cost a Galleon.

Dennis
 
Who doesn't want to be sorted into Slytherin even though he is eager to see
more power and some action.