red herrings or hints?

[kiricat2001]

No: HPFGUIDX 69657

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "ebeth0000000000" > 3)  Harry 
comes across as more of a bully/instigator to me.  I still 
> love him, and I think his character is really delved into in this 
> book, but his behavior is more hurtful deliberately to Dudley and 
> some others than the role of victim he's played in past books.  I 
> wonder if that's mirroring James' behavior before he grew up?  
Maybe 
> Harry will have to learn, like Spidey, that "with great power comes 
> great responsibility?"

And maybe Harry's just sick and tired of being the victim.  Dudley 
has always been hurtful to Harry.  Since Harry is feeling the 
aftereffects of the TriWizard Tournament, and Cedric's death, and no 
one is giving him information about anything, even though he knows 
Voldemort has returned, his feelings of isolation and abandonment 
don't strike me as unusual or unnatural.  Plus, he knows that Dudley 
and his gang go out and vandalize property or beat up smaller, 
younger, weaker kids, just as they used to do to Harry, so if Harry 
has finally decided to be a little cranky about it, then tough darts 
to Dudley.  I don't think this is anywhere on a par with James' 
behavior.  Harry does not make it a point to hex people just because 
he can. And, he comes to Dudley's rescue when they are attacked by 
the Dementors.  

Marianne