Chapt. Discussion: Chapter 22 - Harry's Support

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 104997

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "delwynmarch" <delwynmarch at y...>
wrote:

> 
> Steve wrote :
> > If they had even given Harry a seconds thought they would have
> > realized after the trama that he went through, ...
> 
> Del replies :
> I agree. Unfortunately, as has been pointed out many times before,
> emotional support is almost an unknown concept in the WW.
> ...edited...
> 


Asain_lovr2:

For the record, I do understand the points you are making. And let's
face it, you are tell us the story the way it was written. Everything
you say is true because that is the way it happened.

We, however, are engaging in "ya-but's". Ya but why didn't they do
this? Ya but why didn't they do that? 

While you are telling us the way it is, we are telling you the way it
should have been.

The orignal questions that sparked this were about whether Harry was
properly supported by the adults around him. I think the answer is
that he was not. 

I countered your statement of the way things are and why, with my
version of how they could have easily been, and been so without any
compromise to The Order's priorities of the moment.

Also, to your point that Harry wouldn't take any help that might have
been offerred to him. Believe it or not, that's not the point, take it
or not, at least it was offerred, at least he knows it's there if he
needs it. It's not about taking the help, it's about the comfort of
knowing the help and support is there.

We are, in a sense, debating what IS, and what COULD HAVE BEEN.


> Steve wrote :
> > They could have easily told Harry about Figg, ...
> > 
> > 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. ...



> Del replies :
> Did you never wonder why people were tailing him, not coming openly 
> to walk with him ? ... If the Order had *wanted* to give Harry some 
> company, it would have been easy to tell him to meet his protector 
> for the day at 9:00 at the corner of Privet Drive every morning. But
> they left him very visibly alone. Why? My idea is that they were 
> quite simply trying to figure out LV's plans. ...edited...
> 
> This is unfair for Harry I know, but then war is never fair.
...edited...
> 
> Del


Asian_lovr:

None of my suggestions compromised the priorities of The Order in any
way. Mrs. Figg was already there watching over Harry. Her presents
didn't drain any resources from other tasks because that IS her task.
She did, in fact, invite Harry to tea several times, and if Harry had
know she was a Squib in contact with the Order and Dumbledore, he
would have been there in a second. She may not have been able to tell
him much, but at least he wouldn't have been alone. At least he would
have had the comfort of some direct contact with the wizard world. At
least he would have had a friendly face to talk to.

In addition, Harry protectors visible at Figg's place would not have
had to compromise their secretly following Harry. They could pretend
like they dropped by to check on Mrs. Figg. Again, Harry would have
had company and a connection to the wizard world, and someone to talk
to. These guards are already there in Little Whinging, it just a
matter of whether the cloak is off or on.

That would have certainly reduced his sense of isolation. That
certainly would have increased his comfort level. That certainly would
have allayed his anxiety level. And would have actually made the job
of his personal invisible guards easier. It would be a lot easier to
guard Harry when his guards could be visible at Figg's house, than it
is to follow him aimlessly around the neighborhood. Contained at
Figg's is certainly safer that wandering around in the open.

None of these suggestion would have taken any more resources than were
already dedicated to Harry. None of these suggestions would have taken
much thought or planning. And most of these suggestion would have
actually made the job of guarding Harry easier and therefore make the
Order's overal job easier. 

So, to the question, where the people in Harry's life properly
supporting him? NO. Could they have? YES, very easily and to their 
definite advantage, and more so, very much to Harry's advantage.

I say once again-
There is absolutely no need for Harry to be 100% cut off from the
wizard world during the summer holiday. 

An hour or two here and there, or a day or two here and there at the
beginning of summer would do a hell of a lot more for Harry's well
being, than two weeks at the Burrow or Grimmauld place at the end of
the summer.

Also note that Harry's state of mind and general well being increase
dramatically once he was at 12 Grimmauld Place. He just needed to not
have to face his demons alone.

That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

Steve/asian-lovr2