JKR Chat "The Crucial and Central Question"

[entropymail]

No: HPFGUIDX 92325

> And no, I don't think he's *arranged* the ending, but I wouldn't be 
> surprised if he doesn't already *know* the ending, or perhaps the
> optimal way to achieve it. But to get there he has to make certain the
> right pieces are more or less in the right places and that's what he's 
> up to. Harry is one the pieces and he has to be in the right position
> before he can be effective, whether he wants it or not. 
> 
> Kneasy

I can't help feeling that this all relates to the discussions Harry
has in OOP regarding a "weapon". There are quite a few references to
Voldemort seeking a "weapon" and Harry wondering what that might be. 
Well, of course, we realize later that what he is seeking is the
prophecy.  But this leaves us with the question of why JKR chose to
use that particular word to describe things.  A prophecy is not really
a weapon; more a tool, or a means to an end.  

But, Harry! Now, Harry could very well be considered a weapon. Not
Voldemort's weapon, of course, but Dumbledore's weapon certainly. 
Through the prophecy, occlumency, and who-knows-what-else, Dumbledore
has been aware of the way things are going for quite some time now. 
He knows that Voldemort must be defeated if the WW is ever going to
recover. He also knows (or has a pretty good hunch) that this can only
be done through Harry.  Although the Order may be able to delay the
proceedings, he knows that Harry is the only one who will ultimately
be able to defeat Voldemort once and for all. He knows that he must
protect Harry's life and hone Harry's skills until he is powerful
enough to take on Voldemort and defeat him. 

So, yes, Dumbledore is probably manipulating the situation to its
final outcome. But there is nothing subversive about it. In some ways,
his hands are tied. Harry is the "weapon", but chosen not by
Dumbledore. Harry was chosen by the prophecy and marked by Voldemort.
 DD knows the deal, knows that Harry is the only weapon the Order has,
and is trying to manipulate circumstances only so far as to allow
Harry to be at the height of his powers when he finally meets
Voldemort for the last time.

:: Entropy ::