Will Harry muse or be too busy fighting? (was: When Harry met Sally)

[boyd_smythe]

No: HPFGUIDX 107475

> SSSusan wrote:
> <snip>
> I wonder, though, about the attacks flying thick & fast.  I would 
> love to hear others' opinions about whether we will, indeed, 
> *finally* see some battle action or whether that will be held off 
yet 
> again, 'til Book 7.  It seems time for it, but I thought it was time 
> for it after the graveyard scene/Harry & DD's announcement of 
Voldy's 
> return at the end of 4th year.  Yet we were strung along for nearly 
> the whole of Book 5, with Voldy still lying low, and all that talk 
> about a weapon, until we finally saw one battle and one death in the 
> MoM.
> 
> Not that I'm necessarily anxious for carnage, you understand, but it 
> surprised me that there was so little in OoP.  
> 
> Anyone else care to offer an opinion of whether Harry will spend 
much 
> time wrestling with "his" burden & his choice to accept it, or 
> whether there'll be little time for such musings because of all the 
> Voldy-DE attacks we're sure to see in HBP?
> 
> Siriusly Snapey Susan

Unless JKR decides to become an action writer and have attacks going 
for hundreds of pages, Harry will have some time for reflection. The 
question is whether he'll be wrestling with his burden during that 
time.

IMHO Harry still has to get to the point in book 7 where we see him as 
a true hero who fully understands and accepts his burden, no matter 
the cost. That's the essence of choice, isn't it?

So there's two things that have to happen before that: Harry has to 
figure out *how* to defeat LV, and Harry has to come to terms with the 
*consequences* of facing and/or defeating LV--both for him and the 
world.

I expect Harry will spend chunks of the last two books on those two 
topics. Perhaps the "how" part will fall in his lap a bit, as usual. 
But for choice to exist, he'll have to really know what he's up 
against, not to mention *why* it's important.

So will there be attacks and a bit more carnage? I think there has to 
be for Harry to see *why*. And will Harry think about whether he wants 
to follow through with his choice? Yes, certainly before the end.

While I've given up hope of Harry surviving the series, I just hope 
that his friends don't have to pay the price, as well.

--boyd