Book 7 predictions

[Eustace_Scrubb]

No: HPFGUIDX 98228

<numerous snips>
Del replies :
Even after all that time, even after reading so many posts about 
it, I still don't see it, I still don't see that Harry has any more 
love or compassion than any average kid. 

2beagles:
I agree with Del.  In fact, I think that Harry is the LEAST 
compassionate of the trio.  This was first evident in SS when he 
allowed Ron to sacrifice himself in the chess game so that Harry and 
Hermione could go on.  Hermione had the instinct to go and help Ron, 
but Harry stopped her (albeit, out of necessity).  Ron could have 
been dead for all he knew.

Now Eustace_Scrubb:
I agree with most of what you say.  I don't think love or compassion
set Harry apart.  However, this first example doesn't really work.  I
think maybe the movie gives the impression that Hermione wanted to
help Ron before the chess game was over.  In the book though (PS,
Canadian pb ed., pp.205-206) when Ron says "I've got to be taken,"
both Harry and Hermione shout "NO!"  Ron simply won't take no for an
answer though.  After Ron's hit by the Queen's stone arm "Hermione
screamed but stayed on her square" with no prompting from Harry. 
After the white king surrenders, neither Harry nor Hermione go to Ron:
 "With one last desperate look back at Ron, Harry and Hermione charged
through the door and up the next passageway."  Only after the
potions/logic challenge does Hermione turn back to look after
Ron...and then only because there's only enough potion for one to go
on.  Of course the movie dropped the potions so there was no reason
for H & H to run off without checking on Ron.

2beagles:
His vendetta to avenge his parents' murder is what drives him, 
not love or compassion.

Eustace_Scrubb again:
I don't really see Harry as vendetta-driven, at least not through the
series as a whole.  I mean, he finds out the Voldemort killed his
parents early in PS/SS, but this fact seems to have relatively little
impact on him until at least POA and even after that I don't see him
as obsessed with personal revenge.  Afraid of Voldemort? Sure and with
good reason...

Now...this got me to thinking about what I really do see as Harry's
defining qualities...and that got so long and away from this subject
that I'll have to put it in another post.

Cheers,

Eustace_Scrubb