Dumbledore as Protector ( Re: BADD ANGST TBAY, Part II)

[Jen Reese]

No: HPFGUIDX 81631

> Jen:
> > And just as Dumbledore believes strongly in
> > the freedom of choice, he also respects the limitations this
> > belief places on anyone who wants to foster change: <canon snip>
> 

Carolina:
> Balance gods are often the more cruel. As I agree free will is 
> important for him, I also hope he values all species freedom, not 
> only his. As things are, only humans have a voice and killing 
> Voldie won't change this little fact.
> 
> I can't agree respecting free will makes him so limited. He should 
> also respect his own free will, and the free will of those unnamed 
> creatures. 

> While I think there is an option for a peaceful ending, after all, 
> Jo is the writer so it's up to her, I also see an escenario that 
> can be developed into an open war. 


Jen: You raise a good point and it's one I expand on below in my long 
answer. My short answer is: I don't think a war is out of the 
question, but BADD ANGST was an attempt to address Dumbledore's 
motives.  I don't believe that just because Dumbledore supports all-
species freedom (see long answer) that he is promoting a Wizard World 
War on the scale of almost total annihilation, in an attempt to 
*transform* the WW to his beliefs.


Long Answer:  Actually, I was pondering this issue while writing the 
BADD ANGST theory, and left out a portion that probably should have 
stayed in: Hogwarts as Sanctuary. 

Within this Sanctuary, Dumbledore fosters an attitude of openess 
found nowhere else in the WW. At the core he is Teacher, and I see 
him less as indoctrinating a new generation in his footsteps as he is 
offering them different viewpoints to consider.

Dumbledore appears to believe more strongly in all-species freedom 
than anyone else in the WW, including other members of the Order. We 
see this especially in OOTP, when he tells Harry: "The fountain we 
destroyed tonight told a lie.  We wizards have mistreated and abused 
our fellow for too long and we are now reaping the reward." (OOTP, 
cahp. 37, p. 834).

While he hasn't been able to convince much of the rest of the WW 
about this belief, he has in his own way attempted to at least 
provide safehaven for some of the creatures and "half-breeds" that 
the WW discriminates against.

He provides good working conditions for over 100 house-elves, "The 
largest number in any dwelling in Britain" (GOF-US, chap. 12, p. 182) 
according to Nick. And as evidencd by Dobby, DD would certainly offer 
pay and vacation to any house elves who aren't offended by that 
proposition.

A herd of Centaurs live safely in the Forbidden Forest. We know they 
don't want to have anything to do with humans and would never 
have "asked" DD to live there, but DD is indirectly providing safety 
for them through all the other protections on Hogwarts grounds. (And 
as an aside, I think when DD reminds students every year that the 
Forbidden Forest is "off-limits" I think he is attempting to protect 
the centaurs, unicorns and other animals in the Forest as much as the 
kids!).

DD retained Hagrid as gamekeeper when he was expelled, probably 
sensing a Half-Giant would one day face severe discrimination in the 
WW if his heritage was discovered.  DD made the necessary 
arrangements for Lupin to be admitted as a student, possibly saving 
his life as a young boy and if not, certainly providing a safe place 
for him to be with other kids his age and find friendship.

And that brings me to the biggest population of people DD provides 
sanctuary for--Children. All the children at Hogwarts, not just 
Muggleborns or half-giants or werewolves. He provides a safe place 
for witches and wizards to hone their skills, but also to have 
varying influences from children and teachers representing a cross-
section of the WW.  

So Hermione, the Creevy's and Justin Flint-Flectchley have a 
relatively safe place to learn about the WW for the first time, while 
someone like Draco, whether he capitalizes on the opportunity or not, 
is exposed to a very different viewpoint from the one provided at 
home. 

It just doesn't make sense to me that a person who has lived his life 
trying to protect and educate others will support a War that detroys 
all the people and values he has tried so hard to nuture over the 
years.

Jen