[HPforGrownups] Why is it locked?

[Kelly Grosskreutz]

No: HPFGUIDX 71188

Richelle wrote:


> Regarding the room at the Department of Mysteries that Dumbledore says is
kept locked at all times, and Harry tries unsuccessfully to open with the
knife Sirius gave him--why is it locked?  If this room indeed contains love
(or some form of love), why is it locked?  To keep people out, or to keep
love in?  What would happen if it weren't locked?  And it's not just locked,
but apparently protected against magical opening devices, like the knife.
The room with the veil (death) wasn't locked.  Surely death is more
dangerous than love.

First, this would seem to go along with what Dumbledore was saying to "Tom."
He tells Tom that "Merely taking your life would not satisfy me."  It sounds
like he has another fate in mind for Voldemort that he feels would be more
appropriate.  From his talk with Harry afterwards, I get the impression this
fate has to do with the locked room in the DoM, which we assume to be love.

Re: death to be more dangerous than love.  I don't know if I would use the
word "dangerous."  I'd replace it with powerful.  Death may be considered an
ending, something final and irrevocable.  Yes, love seems to outlast death
quite often.  Harry's parents may be dead, but Lily's love still surrounds
and protects Harry fourteen years later.  Death did not destroy her love for
her son.  Sirius died in the Death Chamber.  Harry's love for him did not.
Love is a very powerful, potent force and, for Voldemort, it could be
considered dangerous because he does not seem to have any love in him.  I
have not thought too deeply on this, so I don't know exactly how Harry,
love, and that room could be/will be used against Voldemort to vanquish him,
but I have a feeling the above two thoughts will come into play somewhere,
DD's desired fate for V, and love being more powerful than death.

As for why the room is locked?  I'll pass on that for now.  Ask me again in
about a year.

Kelly Grosskreutz, who also lies awake thinking about HP-related things
http://www.idcnet.com/~ivanova