Going back to DD knowing all

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 110629

Martha wrote:
> > I think that DD is indirectly teaching or preparing Harry on how 
> > to defend himself, since he knows what "fate" is waiting for him 
> > in the future (the show down at the OK Corral with Voldy). 
> > Although I don't know to what extent it could go. Does any one 
> > have any suggestions, please?

Dzeytoun:
> Well, JKR has addressed this in the Royal Albert Hall interview.  
> She said (paraphrase): "Dumbledore is a very wise man.  He knows 
> Harry needs to learn fast in order to be prepared for what might be 
> coming, so he allows Harry privileges he would never allow another 
> student.  The tradeoff for that is he also, unwillingly, has to 
> allow Harry to face dangers and problems from which he would rather 
> protect him."
> 
> I think it's clear that Dumbledore allows Harry, Ron, and Hermione 
> to make their own choices, and to an extent enables them to do so.  
> I don't think, however, that he knows everything, and I don't think 
> he is actively manipulative in the way so many people see him.  For 
> instance he provided Harry with the invisibility cloak.  However, 
> if Harry had chosen *not* to use the cloak to pursue the Stone I 
> don't think DD would have tried to trick or push Harry into doing 
> so.  And DD implies in his conversation at the end of OOTP that 
> Harry has several times gone much farther than Dumbledore ever 
> expected.


SSSusan:
I agree totally with what Dzeytoun has said about DD with the 
invisibilitiy cloak example.  A couple of us here feel quite strongly 
that DD (and staff, with DD's instruction) set up the SS/PS "obstacle 
course" specifically with Harry (or, alternately, H/R/H) in mind.  
For me, I believe it was a test of Harry's mettle, both in terms of 
what kinds of skills he possesses, but also of his *willingness* and 
drive--in terms of taking risks and, especially, in terms of 
commitment to "The Good Side."  

In other words, I think Dzeytoun is right that DD would never have 
PUSHED Harry to go after the stone, but that he, well, set things 
about as it were [invisibility cloak, Mirror of Erised, etc.] and sat 
back to see what Harry would do with it, if anything.

Josh included this quote at the top of this thread, and it's key to 
my belief in this:

"No, it isn't," said Harry thoughtfully. "He's a funny man,
Dumbledore. I think he sort of wanted to give me a chance. I think he
knows more or less everything that goes on here, you know. I reckon
he had a pretty good idea we were going to try, and instead of
stopping us, he just taught us enough to help. I don't think it was
an accident he let me find out how the mirror worked. It's almost
like he thought I had the right to face Voldemort if I could...."

Siriusly Snapey Susan