....what I SHOULD have told you....

[Alex]

No: HPFGUIDX 54505

JKR:
> "Dumbledore lowered his hands and surveyed Harry through his half-
> moon glasses. 'It is time,' he said, "for me to tell you what I 
> should have told you five years ago, Harry. Please sit down. I am 
> going to tell you everything.'"

Greicy:
> After reading this for the umpteenth time it sounds like Dumbledore 
> is regretting not telling Harry something and I'm that impression 
> from where he says "I should have told you".  As though, something 
> has just happened that could have been prevented.  Is it just me 
> that has read it this way?  

You're not the only one, but I think we may be reading too much into that word 
"should." Could Harry learn something about his past that might prevent some 
catastrophe? Perhaps, but the conversation could just as easily be prompted 
by a personal crisis, or it might just be adolescent curiosity.

Harry's of an age now where he should start thinking for himself and driving 
the action, rather than having the action drive him (but we'll see if that 
happens). Harry could be talking to Dumbledore about anything. "Why is 
Voldemort always out to get me?" or just, "Dumbledore, I think I'm old enough 
and I want you to tell me about my parents." Cue that quote from above and 
see it fits.

Granted, the only time Harry seems to have one-on-one conversations with 
Dumbledore are times of crisis, so it very well could be after some disastrous 
event, but what information could be passed along that could prevent it? I'm 
not completely dismissing the idea, just wondering...anyone have any ideas?

~~aesob