Choices - or not.

[Lady Pensieve]

No: HPFGUIDX 89650

--- Kneasy wrote: For all  that Dumbledore whitters on about how 
choices define us, you'll notice that he never offers any to Harry.
----
Kathy - Gosh, at first I thought I had a comeback, then later in the 
post you say what I was thinking, that he's grooming Harry... well 
you didn't exactly say it that way, though.

Let's see.  Dumbledore knows that this kid's going to have to go 
through crap whether he wants to or not...therefore no choice for 
the kid.  Dumbledore, however,has a choice.  He can hand the kid 
over to a wizarding family and let him be treated like something 
special,or he can put him in a situation where he'll learn about 
prejudice and bullying first hand. Also,in book 7 we may discover 
that the scar is more than just a homing device for Voldy...it may 
also be there because of something Harry's parents-specifically his 
mom-did, perhaps with Dumbledore...that is added protection.  
Perhaps the real reason the scar burns is because it's protecting 
him.
----
Kneasy
> Using carefully selected half-truths and emotional blackmail he 
> manoeuvres Harry into his next pre-selected spot on the game 
board. 
----
Kathy - yeah,to give him the skills he couldn't get any other way. 
It wasn't just Harry's choice to go after the Sorceror's Stone, it 
was also Hermione's and Ron's. Aligning themselves with Harry, they 
were also put through their paces. Why, because if they're going to 
chose to be Harry's friends, they'll need experience as well.
----
Kneasy: Only once has Harry defied DD's specific instructions and 
that ended with Sirius taking his final curtain. 
----
Kathy: And why is this Harry's fault? D had told Sirius to stay 
home. Also - does anyone think that Sirius may have been given a 
potion to help make him the git he was when he stood before 
Bellatrix begging her to try and hit him again because she missed 
the first time? Ch 18: "
These plants are most efficacious in the 
inflaming of the brain, and are therefore much used in Confusing and 
Befuddlement Draughts, where the wizard is desirous of producing hot-
headedness and recklessness
"
----
Kneasy: > How long can this go on?
----
Kathy: Unfortunately I don't believe D has told Harry everything. 
His last speech was far too long for me. There's more to know, only 
since we, the audience, can't be told just yet, neither can Harry- 
fooey!
----
> Kneasy:..And weapons don't normally get a choice in how or when 
they are used. 
----
Kathy: One truth from D in the last - he has grown to care for him - 
why? Because Harry's heart allowed him to be so much more than a 
weapon...sounds like the Tin Man - Oh, My!
----
Kneasy: Harry is showing signs of beginning to baulk; he is not a 
happy bunny, he wants out. He wants choices.
----
Kathy: He's a teenager that hasn't had any fun. He needs some time 
off for good behavior! Actually, a little snogging wouldn't hurt at 
this point...er...shouldn't a said that.
----
Kneasy: Even so, I think we can expect Harry to turn stroppy; he'll 
twist and turn trying to avoid the path that DD has placed him on 
and eventually he'll make another choice of his own. 
----
Kathy: I hope so! Isn't that the point? Let Harry learn to think for 
himself rather than be a good little boy and follow the rules?  
Where would Fred & George be if they'd followed the rules?
----
Kneasy: I'm cheerfully anticipating a fraught and gloomy book 6.
----
Kathy: Me too! and if a theory I read on another group is correct, 
we will have more about potions and poisons.  One of the rumors is 
that Harry is going to have another kind of scar/hurt that will stay 
with him in book 6.  Hope he paid attention when he wrote that essay 
on the Strength potion for Snape!