Pensieves objectivity AND: Dumbledore's integrity

[Wanda Sherratt]

No: HPFGUIDX 79670

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "T.J." <morgan.cole at n...> 
wrote:
> 
> As a complete neophyte on this list I just wanted to add that 
after 
> 11 years of teaching high school, if Harry HAD offered an apology 
in 
> this situation, I would consider it highly unrealistic writing.  I 
> don't think most 15-year-olds have the quality of detachment 
> necessary to apologize in a situation like this...I think Harry 
> probably does owe D. somewhat of an apology in return, but D., 
like 
> any experienced teacher of teenagers, should know better than to 
> expect one.
> 
>
WEll, actually, I agree with you.  I don't expect Harry to 
apologize, because I know he's just a dumb 15-year-old kid; but 
that's also what makes him a rather uninteresting hero to me.  (I 
meant to say that it would be NICE if he had the maturity to see 
himself more objectively, not that I realistically expect he will.) 
I don't think Dumbledore is surprised by his attitude, either.  
Someone in a long past post suggested that Dumbledore apologizes in 
this scene, to take the burden off Harry - to relieve him of his 
guilt for Sirius's death - and I think that's about right.  He's 
doing the old "the buck stops here" thing that a good leader does; I 
don't think his apology is meant to indicate that he is the MOST 
guilty person, the one who most needs to apologize, but just that he 
is the leader.  He is ultimately responsible, even if his 
subordinates are the ones who screw up.

Wanda