JKR Chat "The Crucial and Central Question"

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 92266

Susan:
> > So maybe that IS all semantics over the word "choice"??  For you 
> > it seems to mean limited options due to behind-the-scenes 
> > orchestrations of a puppetmaster.  For me it comes down to there 
> > being a BIT of a choice even in a limited-choice situation.

Kneasy:
> Yes, basically.
> A choice that isn't informed is no choice at all in my opinion.
<big snip> 
> You point to the 'choices'  that Harry has made in the books so 
> far. Suppose that  at some point he had said "No. I'm not going 
> into the Chamber or competing in the TWT or saving the Stone." 
> Would his situation be any different now? Not much. His magical 
> skills would not be so good, but that's about all. He would still 
> be Voldy's target, the prophecy would still read the same, DD 
> would still have his plan. Harry still wouldn't have a choice.
> 
> Sometimes I get the feeling that DD is not just the Puppetmaster 
> but is working to an actual script. He knows what is going to 
> happen, a pre-ordained,irrevocable sequence of events that leads 
> to his plan coming to fruition.
<snip> 
> This bothers me. 
<snip> 
> If this is the case it means that Harry hasn't had any decisions 
> to make. It was already decided.

Susan:
I think I should let this die pretty soon, but I can't just yet.  :-)

I don't want to get into the bravery vs. foolhardyness thing because 
I don't think we'll get anywhere with that argument.  

On the other hand, when you said that things wouldn't be much 
different for Harry if he had chosen to *not* go after the basilisk 
or after the stone, you have a point; it's not *much* of a choice in 
terms of the outcome.  In the end, while there is an advantage [a 
big one, I think] for Harry if he goes and develops his skills and 
learns important things, he's still going to face the same facts of 
life after it's over.  

What I *don't* get in your argument is how much you seem to be 
blaming Dumbledore for this.  How is DD to blame?  How is he 
*orchestrating* Harry's future?  If Harry is Voldy's target...if the 
prophecy is to believed--that Harry & Voldy much face each other 
down at some point--then how is **Dumbledore** behind all this w/ 
some master plan?  If "it's all decided", it's been decided not *by* 
DD but by some larger "fates" or whatever.  

**Unless** you're saying that DD isn't just arranging those things 
which will train & prepare Harry in the way he [DD] thinks will best 
help Harry, but that he's actually **in control** of what will 
happen?  That he knows how it all will end because he's arranged it 
all?  Is that what you're saying?  If it is, I don't agree.  If it's 
not, then I think you need to cut DD some slack.  In short, why is 
the fact that Harry has to face a nasty future DD's doing or DD's 
fault?  

Siriusly Snapey Susan