How dim is Harry? - Abuse and Oppression.

[finwitch]

No: HPFGUIDX 98474

Kneasy:
> The reader starts to notice it; not just notice, but *anticipate* 
it. And
> it detracts badly from the story. The first part of OoP, Harry was
> throwing a wobbler "Nobody tells me anything!" was his constant
> whine. To which, all over the world, came the reply "That's because
> you never ask the right bloody questions!" 

Finwitch:

IMO, Harry simply doesn't know enough to even know what to ask! And 
he DID try - but all he gets is 'we can't tell you because the 
letters could be intercepted'.

The problem is that, for the early part of his life, #1 rule 
was "Don't ask questions" (he still DOES ask, occasionally); Then, 
when Hagrid comes up and he finally gets his his letter - he finds 
out that most of the answers he got were lies! (his own memories 
confirm Hagrid's truthfulness, though) - so, he ends up in a World of 
which he knows absolutely nothing - not even what to ask.

And when he finally knows what to ask, he doesn't get an answer. 
(Harry DID ask the question, but Dumbledore waited 4 years before he 
finally answered!) Without Sirius, no one would have answered him at 
the beginning of the 5th book, you know...

I think Harry's going to be a bit more demanding now on, though - he 
no longer trusts that adults secrecy is for the best. In fact, I 
seriously doubt he trusts anyone but himself now!

Dumbledore didn't tell him about the prophecy, purposefully puts him 
to the hands of his nasty relatives, and just about every adult is in 
with putting him into the misery known as Dursleys or involved in 
other conspiracy against him. (and besides, what magical protection 
there may be, it does NOT protect Harry from Dursleys!)

Harry has his doubts about Hermione who backed off from her own idea 
just because the one person Harry truly trusted was FOR it! (and 
mind, Sirius' reasoning IS sound!)

as for the rest, well... with all the 'Dark Lord' and 'you-know-who'-
business, how can he trust someone who fears to say Voldemort to care 
for and protect him when it's Voldemort he needs to be protected from?

Oh yes, there's another reason why Harry doesn't ask questions: he 
doesn't trust anyone enough to do so, and the one he trusted enough, 
is dead (and if Sirius isn't truly dead and comes back, Harry's going 
to doubt it IS Sirius!).

Finwitch