Is Dumbledore still useful? Was:Re: Adults "failing" Harry (was: Themes in OotP)

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 119935


SSSusan:
> > Um... because it's SNAPE and HARRY, that's why.  Snape is *not* a 
> > damn good teacher when it comes to Harry. 
 
Alla:
> Long round of applauds, Susan. :o)

SSSusan:
Thanks, Alla.  I feared I worded that a bit too strongly, but 'tis 
how I feel....


Alla:
> I have a question to ask though. I don't find it shocking anymore 
> that Dumbledore made so many mistakes. Good intentions, whatever, 
> as I said many times I find his behaviour of keeping harry in the 
> dark to be incredibly foolish, BUT do you think that Dumbledore has 
> no use as a general and leader anymore? Do you think that someone 
> else will be better candidate to lead  the Order?

SSSusan:
Sure, I think he could still lead.  As long as "a foolish old man" is 
still capable of learning and changing [unlike a 37'ish young fool -- 
whoops! different thread], then I think there is hope he can lead.  

If Harry was spending OotP discovering that adults are fallible, then 
I think DD was spending OotP discovering that he, in particular, is 
fallible and that he MUST begin to treat Harry as an adult and full 
member of The Order now.  If he can do that, and if the connection 
between Harry & Voldy has been altered now [??] such that Harry isn't 
in the same kind of danger he was in in OotP from it, then I think DD 
& Harry can pull that off.


Alla:
> I frankly come close to thinking exactly that and that is why I 
> contrary to many posters' opinion think that it is possible that 
> Dumbledore will survive the end of the series to see that once 
> again he interepreted the prophecy incorrectly.

SSSusan:
An interesting take, Alla.  I still think DD's toast, but you could 
be right.  If you're right, though, what would JKR's message to us be 
in that?  That DD is an old fool yet again?  I can't quite imagine 
her wanting to do that.  

But if there is some way that someone in the Order can determine that 
he is wrong about the prophecy in time to use that information, I 
suppose I could see it happening.  But not if it's just to show, 
*again*, how DD is fallible.

I'm positive there are many posters here who've thought a LOT more 
about this potential scenario and could comment.


Alla: 
> I don't know. Could you convince me that Dumbledore is still 
> capable of being good general and good headmaster at the same time 
> and if not who will be the better one, in your opinion?

SSSusan:
Who better?  I've no idea!  

I've heard many people speculate that Snape would take over The Order 
if DD died, but I can't see that -- at least not without his full 
story coming out so's people could trust him.

Assuming Lupin's not ESE!, and even as much as I like him, he's still 
not forceful leadership material, imo.

McGonagall has been DD's trusted Deputy Headmistress for awhile now, 
and she seems quite capable in that role, but we're not even all in 
agreement that she's even *in* The Order, let alone in on all the 
secrets or competent to head it up.

Arthur?  Definite possibility.

Mundungus?  No way.

Moody?  Not sure.  Is he too skittish & almost overcautious?

Bill?  Not believable, imho.  Too young & inexperienced.

The others we just really don't know much about.  And while 
presumably there are many other Order members "off-screen," we sure 
don't see that many more -- Arabella Figg, Kingsley S., Tonks, and a 
handful of others.  How could we know their leadership capabilities?

Oh--hey, I know.  A recovered Alice & Frank Longbottom leading the 
way?  Maybe!

Siriusly Snapey Susan