[HPforGrownups] Re: Death Eater Numbers/ Harry's Tears

[Richelle Votaw]

No: HPFGUIDX 49386

Kelly L. writes:

>So, to make a long 
>ramble short, I think there were far more DE's than the small 
>number who were actually named.

I also think that there are others.  Not just those present and not named, but almost as if those who came to the graveyard were the elite.  The captains of the guard.  That each of these has a group under them.  It would've been rather awkward to bring in hundreds (not just for being there, but for the story to flow!).  Perhaps there not all called Death Eaters even.  Maybe "Death Eater" is the worst of them.  The "Top Guns."  

Tyler writes:

> I forgot about the picture album tears. I think you're
> right there.

There are no tears there.  He's speechless, but no tears.

> But, Harry doesn't cry at the end of GoF. As I
> remember it (again, I don't have the books in front of
> me, I read borrowed copies), Mrs. Weasley hugged him,
> and Harry felt it all rising to the surface. Hermione,
> seeing his face all scowled up and about to let loose
> with tears, gives him the sleeping potion and he falls
> asleep. It was this lack of emotional release that I
> found unsettling, and I think this particular episode
> of Harry NOT crying is what may be driving the
> speculation that his tears will play an important role
> later on.

Actually Mrs. Weasley has Harry's potion, can't take it any more, puts it down, hugs Harry, everything comes rushing in, and so on.  Then as you think it's about to break, Hermione slams the jar down on the Rita Skeeter, and Harry and Mrs. Weasley break apart.  Mrs. Weasley wipes her eyes, gives Harry his potion, he goes to sleep.  So yes, he doesn't cry here either.  That leaves only twice that there are at least enough tears to wipe his eyes.  SS/PS in the hospital wing with Dumbledore and during dementor lessons with Lupin in PoA.

Harry's reaction in GoF with everything that had happened all tumbling around him, from Cedric's dead body to his mother's face, father's voice, etc. is the kind of thing where so many horrible things have happened you just want to scream.  But he doesn't do that either.

Tyler again:

> Wishing Ron would look away is key here. Teenage boys
> struggle a lot with appearing tough and not showing
> emotion, especially in front of friends (it's pretty
> hellish, too, I know from personal experience!). As an
> adult I understand the value of an emotional release
> like crying. Teenage boys aren't so lucky, and if they
> have to cry will try to do so in seclusion.

Of course, most teenage boys haven't had all of the things happen to them that Harry has.  I think if it had been just he and Mrs. Weasley there in the hospital wing he'd have gladly cried until there weren't any tears left.  Which leads me to believe there will be a time when he can do just that.  

Pepsiboy writes:

>From a psychological perspective, isn't that bad for a budding teenager? To
>hold it in? Especially with all that Harry has gone through: Dursley's,
>Voldemort, Cedric, seeing his parents.  How much is enough? I'm pretty
>surprised he hasn't broken down (completely) at least once, to show how
>human he is....

Yes, it is bad.  He was on edge before GoF, from hearing his mother's screams and his father's voice.  Now with the events in the graveyard in GoF he is teetering over the edge, so to speak.  One more incident and he probably will break down.  But what will that incident be?

grindieloe writes:

> Hmmm... I interpreted that as Harry actually crying a bit and that's 
> why he wanted Ron to look away.  That was just my interpretation... I 
> know that Hermione did interrupt, but I thought maybe Harry did get a 
> bit of a release before that interruption... or maybe it was just me 
> hoping that poor kid could get it out!!!  :)

I don't think so.  There's a direct reference to Mrs. Weasley wiping away her tears, but nothing about Harry.  Just that he and Mrs. Weasley break apart, he drinks his potion, goes to sleep.

Richelle


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