Will Harry learn?

[David Gabbard]

No: HPFGUIDX 108331


In the grand finale at the MOM in OOP, Dumbledore and Voldemort are dueling for their lives.  Dumbledore opens with an un-said spell that causes the fountain of magical brethren to spring to life and multi-task with assorted purposes for each race. Dumbledore and Voldemort are hurling spells at each with such force that the usually-silent-when-he’s-performing-magic Dumbledore produces a spell which packs such force it produces “a deep, gong-like note” that is “oddly chilling” when it collides with Voldemort’s rapidly-formed shield. (“Phoenix” Am. Ed. P 814) 

 

They are dueling with such mastery and intensity that they don’t display a need to mutter an incantation. We learned in Year One that the correct pronunciation of a spell is important: “You’re saying it wrong, Harry heard Hermione snap. It’s Wing-GAR-dium Levi-O-sa, make the ‘gar’ nice and long.” (“Stone” Am. Ed. P 170)  Year Five teaches the reader: “The curse Dolohov had used on her, though less effective than it would have been had he been able to say the incantation aloud, had nevertheless caused…quite enough damage…” (“Phoenix” Am. Ed. P 847) Since his arrival at the MOM, Dumbledore doesn’t verbalize a spell until he sends Harry to Hogwarts via portkey.

 

JKR committed quite a few words to each of these scenes – there is obviously a difference among these situations. I don’t think they’re flints or overstatements. There is a disparity between common spells that require exact pronunciation and the ability to conjure fatal spells which need not be spoken, but appear to only need to be thought of by the conjurer. Will Harry learn this subtle distinction and proficiency in front of the reader? If he does, who will teach him?

 

Upon my first read, I was happy with the pace and progress of the Fifth Years’ efforts at dueling against the Death Eaters in the MOM sequence of OOP. I accepted their “Reducto!”, “Stupefy!”, “Expelliarmus!” and “Colloportus!” spells  as above-average talent for their age group and attributed their success at avoiding death to Harry’s prowess as DA instructor. However, as I read the brawl between Dumbledore and Voldemort, I see how pedestrian Harry’s skills are if he is “…the person who has the only chance of conquering Lord Voldemort for good…” (“Phoenix Am. Ed.  P 841)

 

I know this next bit will be an unpopular opinion, but I hope Umbridge’s punishment is somehow magically binding and Harry is banned from Quidditch Robes in Year Six. I want to see some dogged DADA training if he is “The One.” Also, he better show more effort than he did at Occlumency – I’d like to see him succeed because of practice, confidence and skill.

 

 

 

		
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