Chapt. Discussion: Chapter 22 - Harry's Support

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 104938

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "delwynmarch" <delwynmarch at y...>
wrote:
> 
> 
> Wendy wrote :
> > > I'd like to address the questions: 1. "Do the adults (and Moody 
> > > in particular) really care about Harry as a person, or do they 
> > > mostly see him as a pawn in the fight against Voldemort?"
> > >
> > > and 2. "To what degree is Harry receiving (or *not* receiving) 
> > > support from the adults in his life?"
> > > 
> > > My answers are 1) they sure don't seem to care about him in this
> > > scene; and 2) not a whole heck of a lot.



> Lee added :
> > Molly's being over-motherly for the most part, Moody doesn't have 
> > much empathy, Lupin's trying but I think he feels bound by some 
> > orders as well as trying to maintain a "peace-maker" role...all 
> > adding up to something vague and not as supportive as Harry really 
> > needs.


 
> Del replies, with a very puzzled look on her face :
>
> OK you two, I'm completely at sea here ! Could you tell me what you
> think the adults should do to show support to Harry ? It seems to me
> that they're doing a good job, but obviously you don't think so, but
> I can't for the life of me figure what you think they should be 
> like.
>
> Please enlighten me, would you ?
>
> Del


Asian_lovr2:

Well, others have addressed this issue nice, but none the less, I'll
take my own stab at it.

First, what's wrong with Lee Storm's approach. Would it really be that
hard for one or two adults to stand face to face with Harry and say,
'I'm here. I understand. You can count on me. I'll listen.'.

If they had even given Harry a seconds thought they would have
realized after the trama that he went through, the last thing he
needed was to be alone with nothing but his depressive thoughts for
company.

Would it have been that hard for Dumbledore or anyone else to have
told Harry about Mrs. Figg? Mrs. Figg invited Harry over for tea
several times, but Harry didn't know who she was. Without someone
telling him she was connected to the wizard world, the thought of tea
with a batty old neighbor wouldn't have been too inviting. But if they
had told Harry, I think he would have spend all his time at Figg's, if
for no other reason than to just feel connected to the wizard world. 

When Harry was at Figg's, his guards could have dropped their
invisibilty cloak prior to Harry's arrival, and pretended like they
were visiting Figg. That way Harry could have had more company, and
more people reassuring him, and not compromise his protection in any
way. In fact, he probably would have been far safer if they had taken
that approach.

How hard would it be for Molly, or Arthur, or Ron and Hermione, or
Lupin to Floo to Figg's place, and spend some time with Harry; a
little comfort, a little support, a little companionship, a little
reassurance. 

They could have easily told Harry about Figg, knowing the a piece of
the wizard world was close by if he needed it, would have been very
reassuring.

Would it have really been such a terrible thing for Harry to spend a
day or a weekend at the Burrow? 

Would it have been so horribly dangerous, if Harry met Ron and
Hermione for tea at Diagon Alley?

There is absolutely no need for Harry to be 100% cut off from the
wizard world during the summer holiday. As long as he spends the
majority of his time at the Dursley's, he's as protected as he can be.
And, occassionally straying into the wizard world, especially if it is
in a place where other wizard are close by in case of trouble does NOT
represent any sigificant danger.

While it is very nice to have an adult or some other trusted person
tell you face to face that they are there for you, sometime, it's nice
to just not be alone. You don't have to talk about serious things,
sometimes just sitting with your best friends, the people you trust
most, is reassuring enough.

But to be hung out to dry and seemingly abondon by everyone is not the
best or ever a good thing to do to someone who has suffered a trama
like Harry. 

For what it's worth.

Steve/asian_lovr2