Book 7 predictions

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 98308

Interrupting this fascinating exchange between Del & Annemehr to 
insert my two knuts...and hoping they don't mind. :-)

Annemehr wrote :
> > Still, Harry never knew what his patronus would be until he saw 
> > it. Could you believe that it was never any knowledge of Harry's, 
> > but the mere *fact* that James was Harry's protector, that 
> > magically formed the Patronus?  Dumbledore said Harry found James 
> > within him.  Even though Harry didn't know James' animagus form, 
> > that form was nonetheless the symbol of the man who gave Harry 
> > many of his own traits and fathered him for 15 months.
 
Del replies :
> That's precisely what's bothering me. Is there a practical reason 
> for Harry's Patronus to be James's Animagus form, or is it all just 
> some kind of mystical mystery ? I guess we would need to know more 
> about Patroni and Animagi to answer that question, though.
> And I'd like to point out that Harry himself didn't know how 
> peculiar his Patronus was, until DD told him about James's Animagus 
> form. He could have lived all his life without knowing the 
> relationship between his Patronus and his father.


Siriusly Snapey Susan:
I vote for "mystical mystery," Del.  Yes, indeed.  I think it's one 
of those magical links between parent & child...maybe kind of like 
twins separated at birth who end up with the same bizarre, esoteric 
hobby or something.  We can't explain why...but it's cool!


Annemehr answered :
> > There is something to say for him in how *unhesitatingly* he runs 
> > off to "save people."  In the day-to-day little things, you don't 
> > see anything special from him, but when he knows someone, or 
> > everyone, is in great danger, he wants to help with very little 
> > thought for his own safety.
 
Del replies :
> I agree. But I don't think that's just compassion. It's bravery, 
> courage, self-assurance, recklessness, whatever you want, and 
> usually based on compassionate feelings, but it's not exceptional 
> compassion. <snip> So yes Harry is exceptional in the way he just 
> goes and does what needs to be done, no matter how dangerous. But 
> he doesn't do so because he's any more compassionate or loving that 
> most of us. That's strictly IMO, of course.
<snip> Again, nothing exceptional there either. Most kids are 
> naturally self-centered and learn to open up to others and increase 
> their compassion for others through experience and maturing. But 
> IMO Harry is not exceptionally compassionate for a 15-year-old boy.


Siriusly Snapey Susan:
I agree that Harry's compassion isn't exceptional for a 15-year-old.  
But see the following....


Annemehr :
> > For the purpose of the story, though, he doesn't actually need to 
> > be the most loving person in the world to defeat Voldemort, 
> > because there are other things unrelated to his own virtue that 
> > single him out and make him special.
 
Del replies :
> I think the problem is that DD talked about the power that is 
> studied in the DoM, that Harry has so much of, and that LV doesn't 
> have at all. The most obvious answer is Love, of course. So it 
> would seem that DD is saying that Harry has an exceptional amount 
> of love. But I just don't see that.

Siriusly Snapey Susan:
Del, what if the power isn't "just" love but **sacrificial** love?  
THAT I think Harry does have in exceptional amount.  It's part of 
what makes him willing to go off and do those brave, courageous 
(reckless, poorly thought out) tasks & rescues that you mentioned 
previously.  I think his willingness to put himself Out There, to 
face the danger, in order to help or save someone--or to stop someone 
he thinks is evil--is what makes Harry different from many others his 
age.  Sacrificial Love.  That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

Siriusly Snapey Susan