Harry's sacrifice

[annemehr]

No: HPFGUIDX 58590

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, rayheuer3 at a... wrote:
> hypercolor99 at h... writes:
> 
> > No danger of becoming Buffyish, in any case: Harry has already 
made
> > countless sacrifices, and his friends also - this might actually 
be
> > the key: he would sacrifice people only if they were prepared to 
be
> > sacrificed. 
> 
> Forgive me for playing Voldy's advocate, but could you "count" for 
me a few 
> times Harry has sacrificed?  And don't try to bring up his parents, 
who 
> sacrificed *themselves* for him, or living with the Dursley's, which 
he does not do 
> by choice.
> 
> Harry has risked life and limb often enough, but it's always "No, 
Harry - you 
> go on, I'll hold them off." while Harry hasn't lost so much as a 
Quidditch 
> match by his deliberate choice.
> 
>   --  Ray

Annemehr:

You say that Harry hasn't sacrificed, but that he has risked life and 
limb often enough.  To me, they are pretty much the same thing -- 
Harry puts his life on the line; it's just that he hasn't actually 
lost it (yet).  So, yes, I think we can say that Harry is willing to 
sacrifice his own life and see his friends sacrifice their own in 
order to save the WW or even one young witch (Ginny).

When Harry went after the Stone and when he went after Ginny, he knew 
he might lose his life either time (and almost *did*).  He also 
thought he was in danger when he chased Padfoot and Ron into the 
Whomping Willow.

Harry agreed with Ron risking his life in the chess match, because Ron 
was the one who *could* make it possible for the others to go on.  He 
also let Ron and Hermione stand up with him against Sirius Black (the 
supposed traitor).*  The fact that they all ended up alive does not 
negate any of it, and it doesn't give us or Harry any assurance that 
they will all survive in the future fight.

And yeah, Harry did lose that last Quidditch match in PS/SS by his 
deliberate choice to go after the Stone and winding up unconscious in 
the hospital wing -- or are you looking for him to deliberately throw 
a game? ;-)

I can't think of anything else (besides physical pain) he may have 
sacrificed, but you know, Harry doesn't *have* a whole lot to lose 
besides his own life, his friends, and his place in the Wizarding 
World -- and our list is *full* of theories about how he's going to 
lose them all!

*This fact that Harry allowed Ron and Hermione risk their lives for 
him is telling.  I think Harry perceives it as a noble act, and he 
sees his friends as just as capable of it as he is himself.  I see it 
not as any kind of cowardice in Harry, but a virtue.

Annemehr

"I'm /not/ going to be murdered," Harry said out loud.
"That's the spirit, dear," said his mirror sleepily.

Yeah -- you tell 'em, Harry!