Harry's new guardian/mentor?

[dorapye]

No: HPFGUIDX 87424

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "greatlit2003" <hieya at h...> 
wrote:
> Who will be Harry's new guardian? I don't mean an official 
guardian, 
> but basically someone he can turn to. I wasn't satisfied with the 
> end scene of OotP. I just don't imagine Mad-Eye or Tonks taking on 
> an important, protective role in Harry's life. We barely know 
these 
> characters. I know it is impossible to replace Sirius, and perhaps 
> for the plot it is necessary to push Harry to independence. But I 
> just can't imagine him transformed from mourning teenager to 
Voldie 
> killer without some form of guidance. Here are some of the 
> possibilities:
> 
> 1. Lupin---my favorite choice.  He is Harry's only remaining 
> connection with James. I was always surprised that Harry did not 
> grow closer to Lupin. I had hoped they would keep in touch at 
least 
> in GoF, like the way Hagrid writes to Harry during the holidays. I 
> guess JKR didn't want to create "competition" for Sirius. Sirius's 
> death was more poignant because he became the single most 
important 
> adult in Harry's life, pushing everyone else to the back. I hope 
> that Lupin will come forward now to take care of Harry. I would be 
> most disappointed if he became a minor character on par with Moody 
> and Tonks.
> 

dorapye:

Yes, I would love Harry to get to know Lupin better, and not simply 
as a connection to his parents or to Sirius, but because, despite 
the speculation among some list members about ESE!Lupin, I am 
convinced the caring teacher we see in POA is the real Lupin, 
genuine, gentle, intelligent, self-controlled, experienced and 
wise.  

Lupin has lots of admirable traits which Harry could aspire to, and, 
while I agree that Harry needs to be developing his independence, he 
still needs guidance to help him grow in the right direction; he 
needs a role model, and Lupin could amply qualify for that 
responsibility.

greatlit2003:
> 2. Molly and Arthur---an obvious choice, since they clearly want 
to 
> take care of Harry. I just wonder how Harry will feel about Molly, 
> since she used to fight with Sirius so often?

dorapye:
Yeah, he might remember those scenes at Grimmauld Place bitterly, 
but I think he'll be able to rationalise that, whilst Molly and 
Sirius disagreed about some things, there was no real animosity 
between them. I don't think Molly entirely approved of Sirius (she 
doesn't like long hair, does she?!) but, I don't believe those 
feelings ran too deep, she cared about Harry too much to let them do 
so.

> 
> 3. Snape----no, not as a guardian (though I would be amused if 
Snape 
> filled Sirius's place in Harry's life). I think that Snape will be 
> the one who teaches Harry how to fight Voldemort. They may never 
be 
> friends, but Harry and Snape will have some important connection.

Yes! I would love to see Harry's relationship with Snape develop 
beyond the petty, vindictive and resentful sneering that 
characterises most of their encounters so far.  I want to see 
Harry's experience of Snape's Worst Memory have an impact on their 
relationship, maybe help Harry to acquire some sympathy, and some 
pity for Snape.  

I wonder if there needs to be a point where Harry and Snape can 
actually 'have it out' with each other?....or, more likely, it will 
be left unsaid, and Snape will redeem himself in Harry's eyes, or 
vice versa, by helping him directly in some way. 

>From Snape's Occlumency lessons, though, I have serious doubts about 
his teaching skills, so while I would like him to be able to teach 
Harry to arm himself against LV, as this might give the characters 
the opportunity to develop, at the very least, some mutual respect, 
I don't fancy Harry's chance of learning much from Snape!

greatlit2003:
> 4. Unknown friend of Lily---I do want to learn more about Harry's 
> mother. She barely has a personality, and seems to exist to be:
>     a. James' love interest   b. the pretty woman with red hair 
and 
> Harry's green eyes   c. the woman who died to save Harry

dorapye:
I think this would be a fanatastic idea! It would give JKR a chance 
to introduce some (more) positive female characters, and to perhaps 
remove Lily's halo, as she did James's in OotP.  Lily seems, at this 
point in the series, to be too idealised, which I suppose is Harry's 
impression of his dead mother, about whom he knows so little 
(another crime to lay at Petunia's door).  

It would be natural for him to create a halo for her, but he is 
growing up now and is definitely ready for a dose of reality as far 
as that picture is concerned....I hope she got up to some mischief 
at Hogwarts too, stuff to rival James's exploits....

dorapye

> 
>