Weapons of Mass Destruction

[annemehr]

No: HPFGUIDX 97725

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "probonoprobono" <probono at r...>
wrote:
> Just curious. At the beginning of OotP we learn Voldy is desperately 
> searching for some all-powerful weapon; something he didn't have the 
> last time he was in power. This weapon is one of the major mysteries 
> in the book, and at the end DD explains the "weapon" Voldy was 
> seeking was actually the power to destroy Harry Potter. 
> 
> Two thoughts.
> 
> First, during most of Voldy's first reign of terror, he had no idea 
> who HP was or why he would need to destroy him. So how can HP's 
> destruction really be considered a weapon that he lacked the first 
> time around? 

Annemehr:
Keep in mind, when Sirius told Harry about the weapon, he was trying
to keep things vague.  Voldemort certainly did not have the full
prophecy the "first time around" of trying to kill Harry.  This is
enough for me, but Your Mileage May Vary.

probono:
<snip>
> Harry speculates at one point that this great weapon could actually 
> be him, but he dismisses the thought. But there are two other 
> important references to weapons in the book (methinks). 1) Filch is 
> described as a "weapon" in Umbridge's arsenal due to his Hogwart's 
> knowledge. 2) During Occlumency lessons, Snape tells Harry: "You are
> allowing me access to memories you fear, handing me weapons!" 
> 
> It just seems that we, the readers, are possibly being misled about 
> this "weapon". If I were Voldy I would be thinking Harry is much 
> more useful alive then dead. In other words...a very valuable weapon.
> 
> Your thoughts?
> 
> probono

Annemehr:
Well...

I think Voldemort feels that Harry is indeed his only potential
obstacle, so he would want him dead.  He still seems to need a good
plan for accomplishing that, though.  Still, I'm confused.

Voldemort's attempt to AK Harry as soon as he found out the prophecy
orb was truly broken seems to show that he has no other plans for him.
 Voldemort apparently had no fear whatever that this AK would
backfire, in the same way that he had no fear to AK Harry in the
graveyard.  But, if all Voldemort thinks he needs to kill Harry is the
Killing Curse, why all the effort spent to get the prophecy?  Unless
LV thought that he'd check the prophecy to make sure, but since it's
apparently lost to him, it's back to the old AK.

On the other hand, I agree about this Harry-as-weapon idea.  First of
all, because Harry would hate it (and whatever he hates, seems to
happen to him).  Secondly, he certainly seems to be a weapon for
Dumbledore, notwithstanding that DD sees him as a human being first
and foremost.  That part at Christmastime, with Harry believing he was
LV's weapon, was never resolved to my satisfaction, since Ginny's
assurance that she knew what it was like to be possessed by Voldemort
was false.  Finally, there is the lesson of what the guard duty is
about.  When Harry first arrives at Grimmauld Place, Ron tells Harry
that the Order members are always on guard duty, though he doesn't
know what they are guarding.  Harry says "Couldn't have been me, could
it?" and they think that's it.  Yet later, they find out that there is
at least one other thing to guard, which is the door to the DoM. 
Well, what if there is also more than one weapon?  There was the
prophecy, and there's Harry.  Maybe there's something else, too -- I
for one don't think DD wants LV messing with what's behind the door
that's kept locked.

Now Voldemort's regrouping.  The war is going to heat up.  Voldemort
is still going to try to AK Harry, and Dumbledore is going to try to
prevent it.  I think, meanwhile, LV may indeed try to use Harry again
in some way.  I don't think the scar connection is severed, and LV may
try to use that.  Just until he gets the chance to actually kill him,
though.

Annemehr