When Harry met Sally (was: Re: Incomplete Prophecy)

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 107565

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "cubfanbudwoman"
<susiequsie23 at s...> wrote:
> SSSusan previously:
> <snip>
> > > I have always wondered, though, believing as I do that he 
> > > HAS truly chosen for himself, what WOULD have happened if Harry 
> > > had exercised his choice by going AGAINST what DD planned/hoped?  
> > > ... That is, by  saying, "NO WAY, OLD MAN! ..."



> Kneasy: 
> > Funny you should mention that.
> > 
> > I fully expect Harry to  dig his heels in and try to opt out in 
> > book 6. He'll be just beginning to realise the implications of his 
> > little chat with DD at the end of OoP. He will not be happy at 
> > being voted (in absentia) as the Chief Pest Exterminator to the 
> > WW. 
> >
> > ...edited...
> > 
> > It won't be, needless to say.
> > 

 
> SSSusan:
> Hurray!!  And THEN we'll agree that Harry has definitely HAD a real 
> choice to make, won't we? ;-)
> 
> Personally--and most here know that I just adore Harry, so I'm not 
> saying this to be cruel or mean--I hope we do get to see some of 
> this internal wrestling over what he "has" to do.  ... seriously 
> question "his" burden and wonder about opting out.  I won't be sorry 
> if temptation rears its ugly head.  I'm not sure whether I believe 
> Harry would give in to it or not.  ...
> 
> What say others?  Will Harry opt out?  ...
> 
> Siriusly Snapey Susan


Asian_lovr2:

When you are discussing Harry's choices and his ability to choose, you
all seem to focus on Dumbledore and the extent to which he is
controlling Harry's choices, but I think that avoids the real
character affecting Harry's choices.

First, does Harry have a choice? Yes, he always has 'in the moment'
choices. He had the abibility to say, Snape's gone after the Stone and
there is nothing I can do about it, or Snape has gone after the Stone
and regardless of how futile the effort might be, I have to try and
stop him.

But, in the long term, I think his life is guided by an inescapable
destiny. However, the destiny is not controlled by Dumbledore, it's
controlled by Voldemort. 

Harry can say, 'I quit' and move far away to Bangkok to live a quiet
life. He can a make that choice. And, it's true his life might be
quieter, but as long as Voldemort wants to kill Harry, Harry's life
will always be under a shadow. He will always live looking over his
shoulder waiting for Voldemort or the DE's to appear and attack him. 

So, it is not Dumbledore that is forcing the direction and fate of
Harry's life, it's Voldemort.

As far as Harry agonizing over his fate, I'm sure he will; I don't see
how he can not. Certainly, he, a small boy, will wonder, how or by
what method can I, a student, kill a powerful and experienced wizard
like Voldemort? That has to be a scary thought. He will also wonder
how, from a moral, pschological, and spiritual sense, he can bring
himself to take another life. Sure, this can be easily resolved
intellectually by saying it's selfdefense, or that you would be saving
other lives, but from a spiritual sense, it's far more difficult.

Just a few thoughts for now.

Steve/asian_lovr2