...HRH friendship - SS/PS the obstacle course was meant for HRH

[justcarol67]

No: HPFGUIDX 106332

Jen wrote:
OK Susan, I'm getting more and more convinced that you're right 
about this issue ;). I wasn't convinved Sat., but you and Vivian put 
forth some very compelling evidence. 
 
I have just one teeny, tiny problem with it though: If Dumbledore 
did believe Harry would try to go down the trapdoor, and DD helped 
him prepare for it, I see a glaring inconsistency in the 
characterization of Dumbledore.
<snip>
> The only way I can resolve this for myself is to believe Dumbledore 
> expected to be nearby to help Harry, if he got in over his head. But 
> it still bothers me :).

Carol responds:
I also have a "teeny tiny" problem with the theory. Didn't Dumbledore
and the professors set up the obstacles (with the exception of the
mirror, which certainly was charmed or magically directed for Harry's
benefit) before the term began, before they could possibly know
anything about, say, Hermione's logical abilities or Ron's skill as a
chess player or Harry's skill at Quidditch? IMO, the only manipulator
here is JKR herself, who set it up so that Harry's friends could play
key roles but only he would face Quirrellmort at the end.

Also, Dumbledore certainly didn't know that Voldemort was inside
Quirrell's head or that his contribution to the obstacles (a troll)
was one that he could easily control himself but others (he probably
assumed) could not. I'm pretty sure that he placed the troll in the
obstacle course *before* Harry and Ron defeated another troll in the
bathroom.

Carol