Why should LV fear DD at all? [spoilers]

[Tim Regan]

No: HPFGUIDX 65909

|
|
|
|
|
|
Hi All,

--- In HPforGrownups syndicateblue wrote:
> We dedude from the prophecy says that the only one who has the 
power 
> to destroy Voldemort is either Neville Longbottom or Harry 
Potter.  
> We also know that Voldemort knows at least that much.  Why then 
> should he - Voldemort - fear Dumbledore 

Yeah, I worried about this too in post 64663 
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/64663>, and who 
knows, there may be loads of other similar posts. Since then I've 
discussed this with colleagues (isn't it great – there are OoP 
readers everywhere!). All the prophesy tells Voldemort is that 
Dumbledore does not have "the power to vanquish the Dark Lord". That 
does not mean Dumbledore could not chain and gag him and keep him in 
Azkaban forever, just not vanquish him.

Or does it? I think I may be underestimating what vanquish actually 
means. Here's the Merriam-Webster version:

van•quish  
Pronunciation: 'va[ng]-kwish, 'van-
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English venquissen, from Middle French venquis, 
preterit of veintre to conquer, from Latin vincere -- more at VICTOR
Date: 14th century
1 : to overcome in battle : subdue completely
2 : to defeat in a conflict or contest
3 : to gain mastery over (an emotion, passion, or temptation)

This would suggest that Dumbledore does not have the power to 
overcome Voldemort. But that may just mean that eventually 
Dumbledore would have to enlist the help of the one who fulfills the 
prophesy – in the meantime he could hold Voldemort captive.

Cheers,

Dumbledad.