Harry's questions ... parents - Dangerous Questions

[finwitch]

No: HPFGUIDX 117414




> 
> Del replies :
> I agree with your explanation of the psychology of an abused child.
> 
> However, by OoP, Harry is no longer reacting like an abused kid. He's
> firmly on the way to recovery.
> 
> He's been challenging Uncle Vernon's abusive authority for several
> years now. In OoP, he makes it very clear that he has no more fear of
> Dudley. And above everything else, he asks questions to the last
> person on Earth he would normally : Petunia.
> 
> After the Dementor attack, and all the way until he's whisked off to
> 12GP, he keeps bugging Aunt Petunia for answers. And yet as soon as he
> gets to 12GP, he forgets about asking questions ! Sirius even has to
> "remind" him that he has questions on his mind ! And yet, even after
> Sirius makes it crystal clear that no matter what the others think, he
> is willing to answer any of Harry's questions, Harry does not ask
anymore.
> 
> He asked Petunia, the very one who drilled "Don't ask questions" in
> his head, but he doesn't ask anyone else. It's not logical to me.

Finwitch:

Logic has nothing to do with it! It has to do with subconcious - and
actually, Harry doesn't fear not so much of punishment but rejection.
Dursleys *already* reject him (and they'd be puninshing him anyway) -
so it's not OF Dursleys. When he has people who care for him, he
doesn't dare ask because he fears he'll lose them/their love.

I also think that, well - partly Harry doesn't ask questions because
he doesn't know enough to know what to ask. He's eager to listen if
someone tells him, but he just doesn't know enough to ask.

And um - Harry was *angry* when he bombarded Petunia with questions,
and having just faced the Dementors (and saving her ickle Duddykins),
something happened to show the beginning for questions...

Finwitch