Dumbledore's mistakes + Sirius Depression?

[Kristen]

No: HPFGUIDX 74433

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Richelle Votaw" <rvotaw at i...> 
wrote:
> (quick snip> 

> 1) Not telling Harry about the prophecy to begin with.  A mistake?  
Maybe.  May also have been a mistake to tell an eleven year old (in 
so many words) he has to save the world.  No win situation on that 
one.

Me:
He used his best judgement at that time. In retrospect, maybe he 
could have done something different. However, we all can find a way 
to do something different, in retrospect.
> 
> 2) Not telling Harry specifically why he wanted him to study 
Occlumency.  Big mistake.  Snape's "because Dumbledore said so" 
reasoning isn't enough for Harry, especially after the way Dumbledore 
had been acting toward him.  And after everyone raving about how 
Arthur would've died if not for Harry's dream, you can't really 
blame  Harry there.

Me:
"Dumbledore is the greatest wizard of all time." Even Harry defends 
that premise. For Harry to question Dumbledore's motives for Harry to 
learn anything is arrogant on Harry's part. Since when does Harry 
know more than Dumbledore? 

Yes, Harry's dream saved Arthur Weasley. Everyone was pleased. So was 
I. Harry's dreams also nearly got his friends killed and most 
certainly got Sirius killed. He should have listened to Dumbledore 
and asked questions later.

> 
> 3) Seemingly not noticing (or not doing anything about it) that 
Sirius was rapidly deteriorating while basically kept caged.  Yes, it 
was for his own good.  But yes, he also felt useless and I don't 
blame him.   Not to mention anybody shut up with Kreacher so much 
couldn't help but deteriorate.  And that portrait!  Ugh.  Someone 
mentioned that being back in that house to Sirius may have been a lot 
like being back in Azkaban again.  I agree, a lot of bad memories 
must have been there.  Sure it was okay when the house was full of 
people, but I'm sure there were a lot of long lonely days and nights 
there.  How could Dumbledore have helped?  I'm not entirely sure, but 
surely something could have been done.

Me:
This is where I really take issue. I'm a Sirius fan, BUT this feeling 
sorry for Sirius being cooped up with his mother's picture and that 
scum-bucket house elf, Kreacher really frustrates me to the point of 
wanting to yell at my computer and anyone else who will listen. This 
is a man who managed to remain sane in Azkaban for heaven's sake. Do 
you really believe that Kreacher and his mother's portrait are worse 
than Dementors? Sirius was always free to leave the house whenever he 
wanted to. While he was TOLD to stay there, he also CHOSE to stay 
there. When he wanted to leave, he did. I will not feel sorry for him 
in any way and I don't believe it was a mistake to have him stay 
there at all. After all, Dumbledore was trying to keep him safe and 
alive. If Sirius wanted to risk both, that was his choice, not a 
mistake.
> 
> 4) Okay, this is picky, I'll admit it.  But as soon as Dumbledore 
got ready to explain everything to Harry, he made another mistake.  
He starts right off with "I know how you're feeling, Harry."  He just 
broke rule number one of dealing with someone who is grieving!  Never 
ever tell them you know how they feel.  Even if you do.  Never say 
you do, it only opens the door for their "no you don't" which was 
Harry's response, of course.

Me:
You're right of course. JKR knew what she was doing when she wrote 
this part. This is a classic mistake adults make when dealing with 
children/teens (and other adult,too). I hope parents who read the 
book picked up on this and will apply the lesson to their own 
children. That particular scene holds a lot of insight into 
communicating with a child in pain. 

> 
> I'm sure I've left out a number of mistakes, but these particular 
ones just bounced to the top.  Four four years Dumbledore was the god 
like figure to Harry.  Now, suddenly, he has taken a huge tumble.  
Any additions to this list?
> > Richelle
> 
Me:
My personal peeve is that Dumbledore knew that Harry was being 
mistreated and basically held prisoner by the Dursleys. While I know 
JKR wanted some bad guys, other than LV and his cronies, I wish she'd 
stepped sooner than the end of book 5 to lend the kid some support 
at "home." Dumbledore should have seen to it by book 2.

madeyesgal