DD: an appreciation (Was Re: Snape, A Murderer?)

[Andrew]

No: HPFGUIDX 96956

Kneasy wrote:
> If you cast your mind back, this started with a consideration of 
> DD's explication in which he says that *he* placed the spell that 
> eventually protected Harry and Voldy ups and says that Harry was 
> unwittingly provided with protection by Lily. An interesting 
> interlocking of  canon, if indeed that is what  it is. Of course, 
> DD's words can (as usual) be interpreted in more than one way, but 
> the unwitting protection bit seems pretty clear.
> 
> The idea that Voldy is saying that just to  taunt Harry is 
> possible, but weak. Voldy is quite willing to admit his own 
> mistakes and that the protection has been effective. So far as he 
> is concerned this is the showdown - time to remove this pest once 
> and for all. Mature master of malice vs student stripped of 
> protection. Why bother to lie? It achieves nothing.


You seem convinced that Voldemort knows what he is talking about.  I 
am not so sure.  He is all but dead following his defeat at Godric's 
Hollow, so he obviously wouldn't know that Dumbledore had placed a 
spell on Harry to give him lingering protection while he lives with 
the Dursleys.  This is the protection for which Dumbledore claims 
credit, and he affirms that Lily's sacrifice made it possible.  If 
Voldemort attributes Harry's lasting protection solely to Lily's 
sacrifice, is simply shows that he does not know the extent of 
Dumbledore's involvement.

The notion that Lily's protection was unwitting is Voldemort's 
alone.  Yes, he is willing to admit his own mistakes, but I don't 
believe he is so willing to admit being outwitted by Lily.  It is 
easier for Voldemort to stomach his defeat if he refuses to believe 
that Lily knew what she was doing.  That doesn't suggest anything 
about whether or not she actually did.  

-Nepenthales