Dumbledore, Leader of Men (and Women) (was: Chapter Discussions: Chapter 4)

[pippin_999]

No: HPFGUIDX 83948

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "jwcpgh" 
<jwcpgh at y...> wrote:

> As for whether Sirius's change of secret keeper was rash or 
not, I'd say that's a matter of debate on this list.<

True. But  I was referring to Sirius's decision to go after Pettigrew 
with no backup. 

To quote Arthur in PoA, "Nobody but trained Hit Wizards from the 
Magical Law Enforcement Squad would have stood a chance 
against [a known Death Eater] once he was cornered." And 
Arthur was  talking to Hagrid, who as we've discovered, is pretty 
formidable in a fight.

Laura:
> Anyone who would take  Rita at her word is a fool.  Molly should 
know that-everyone else seems to.<

Then I guess Hermione is a fool, since she called on Rita to 
spread the word about Voldemort's return. Hermione could have 
written the story herself, so I guess Hermione understands that 
the Skeeter byline commands a lot of respect, despite  Rita's  
tendency to, er, exaggerate. 

Anyway, Hermione is sad about the tiny egg, not angry at Molly.  
She *wants* to be friends with Molly. It was just a stupid 
misunderstanding, like Ron thinking that Harry had put his name 
in the goblet. 

Laura:
> Remember, this is a woman who is still badgering her grown 
son about  his hair length.  Enough already!<<

Aww. I thought that was kind of sweet actually. Bill doesn't seem 
terribly bothered by it. He knows it's just her way of showing she 
cares.

> Laura:
> 
> Show me the canon for your belief that DD asked Molly to take 
>on  legal responsibility for Harry. <<

Moral, not legal. Dumbledore, chapter 36, GoF. "Molly...am I right 
in thinking I can count on you and Arthur?" And of course, he 
invites Molly to Harry's bedside, along with Sirius, and meets 
with her before she goes home. 

I think Sirius's remark, "He's not your son," was just as hurtful as 
Molly's crack about Azkaban.  For both Sirius and Molly, their 
moral right to care for Harry is stronger than their legal one.  
They're both aware of that. It's a case of the pot calling the kettle 
black, since Harry's   *legal* guardians are the Dursleys. 

> Laura replies:
> 
> I think we have a different perspective on this and we'll have to 
> agree to disagree.  Molly is ready to indulge in a scene at the 
>drop  of a rubber wand, all the way through canon.

And Sirius isn't? 

Pippin