JKR Chat "The Crucial and Central Question"

[greatelderone]

No: HPFGUIDX 92384

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, Laura Ingalls Huntley 
<lhuntley at f...> wrote:

> I should have seen it from the beginning, really.  I mean, his 
reasons 
> for leaving Harry with the emotionally (and even physically, to an 
> extent) abusive Dursleys are just *so* weak.  He doesn't want the 
boy 
> to get a big head?  Privet Drive is the *only* place Harry will be 
> safe?  

Aside from Hogwarts and possibly in Dumbledore's presence I'd say: 
yes. 

> Please.  Dumbledore could have solved *both* these problems by 
> raising Harry himself.  I'm sorry, but it's the least he could have 
> done for a child that was destined to save the Wizarding World, if 
he 
> had *truly* had that child's best interests at heart.

Except we've seen that Dumbledore is a very busy man. Aside from 
leading an underground movement against a dark lord he also had to 
run a school and maintain order there. Look at what happened when an 
unpopular headmaster like Umbridge was appointed. Besides he's an old 
man not exactly versed in taking care of a child.

> 
> As for Sirius's death in OotP -- I don't think Dumbledore 
specifically 
> orchestrated it, but I don't think he's particularly sorry it 
happened, 
> either.  What better way to teach Harry the lessons he needs to 
learn?

Except sacrificing Sirus, a powerful wizard in his own right, just to 
teach Harry a lesson is not worth it especially since Voldemort had 
already begun making the alliance with the giants..

> Dumbledore *is* moulding Harry into a weapon with which to destroy 
> Voldemort.  

I think the term champion works better. 

> And he *is* sorry -- he *does* care for Harry -- I believe 
> he was being sincere when he "explained everything" at the end of 
OotP. 
>   In this case he has chosen between what he thinks is right, and 
what 
> would be easy.

If he had chosen the easy route he'd have allowed Voldemort into 
Harry sooner and then killed Harry while Voldemort was inside Harry's 
mind. The fact that he didn't do that and had Snape teach Harry 
occlumency thus sacrificing Snape's time as a OOTP member and as a 
spy signals that he cares for Harry and wants him intact.

 
> Personally, I think Dumbledore is in for a big surprise when it 
comes 
> to Harry -- eventually the kid is going to grow up and refuse to be 
> used anymore.  And then . . . what happens?  Can Harry defeat 
Voldemort 
> on his own terms, or will he be forced to put differences aside and 
> accept Dumbledore's game plan?

Harry will defeat Voldemort without Dumbledore's help. The hero's 
path generally has the hero doing it after the mentor dies. However I 
disagree with the idea that Dumbledore is manipulating Harry and 
sacrificing him all for the sake of the wizard world. He hasn't done 
anything that shows that he can't be trusted. He hasn't lied like 
another bearded lightsaber wielding mentor.