Something about Harry (was: Snape and Harry again)

[Paula "Elanor Pam"]

No: HPFGUIDX 114412

> HunterGreen: (jumping in)
> I feel the same way about the prophecy, and was severely disappointed
> when it was introduced into the text. I think I agree with both Carol
> and SSSusan in that regard. I would prefer for Harry to have been
> special when he was born (with the ability to do things like throw
> off the imperius curse and learn difficult things like the patronus
> charm very easily), because that means the prophecy is not self-
> fulfilling. 
>
> If Harry was born as an average wizard (with perhaps the capacity for
> being a Quidditch prodgidy), and the prophecy came along and *caused*
> him to be special (by causing Voldemort to attack him/give him some of 
> Voldemort's powers, and causing his mother to die to save him, which 
> gave him the blood protection), then I think Harry has Professor 
> Trelawney to blame for his life. I would prefer to think that Harry 
> *already* had the power to defeat the dark lord, and that she only 
> *predicted* it, rather than causing it (the events at the end of PoA 
> would have happened the same if she hadn't predicted them, for example).
> However, I think this is where the story is going, so I have trouble 
> believing it, it's more of a lingering hope.


   Elanor Pam:
I actually think that, if Harry had been "born" special, or had some kind of
built-in ability, it'd completely destroy the whole concept of the story.
Harry became the one who could destroy Voldemort because Voldemort CHOSE
him. He had the bright idea of pointing his wand at Harry and that was what
made all the difference. Voldemort's choices should be taken into account as
well. Our choices have an impact on other people, that's the reality. And
the prophecy does seem to be self-fulfilling, which just proves the future is
better left unseen. Afterall, prophecy --> Voldy goes on prevention campaign 
--> makes the prophecy real. Yeah, it's all Trelawney's fault. We should break her glasses!! >__>d *raises pitchfork*

If Harry had simply been born with the power to turn Voldy into a golden
statue by touching him, what fun would it be? This is a personal opinion,
but I think the best heroes are those that actually don't have anything
overly special about them. Making Harry a completely normal baby that was
unwillingly given powers in a situation that could just as easily have been
prevented or have different outcomes makes him someone like us, that also
have to deal with unexpected and unpleasant things. (Good lord, that was the
longest period I've ever written without finding anywhere to stick a comma
in @_@;)

If he HAD been born with special powers, then I think the prophecy would be
completely unnecessary from a literary point of view (I'm talking about
overrall hero stories here). He'd notice he was special sooner or later, and
he'd have to decide what to do with his extra powers sooner or later, and a
prophecy would only cut down his choices even more - because if he ever
wished he could keep himself in the sidelines, he'd feel ber-extra-guilty,
as we've seen him do in other scenes in which he happens to think of
something politically incorrect.