Harry & Seamus.

[finwitch]

No: HPFGUIDX 115386


--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "delwynmarch" <delwynmarch at y...>
wrote:
 As much as I understand him, I still think that we should dare
> putting the blame on his shoulders when he deserves it.
> 
> Del

Finwith:

Now let's see this - now that I really had time to think it trough. (I
think I could do with a reread as well, but I need to visit library
first...) I'll try this approach of subjective perception:

First of all, I'm not even certain Harry even was angry at Seamus,
just the mother.

So first Seamus tells (Dean) that
1) His mother believes all those lies/rumours of Harry.
2) His mother tried to keep Seamus from coming to Hogwarts. (an act
before knowing the truth, and this is the OWL year)
3) Apparently she also refers to the Daily Prophet rather than her own
son.

Now, how does Harry interpret this? He has lots of experience about
people who believe nasty lies about him/others. Most obvious example
is Aunt Marge. (When Harry finally lost control, he *corrected* all
the lies Marge believed about his parents!). Other Dursleys at least
seem to do the same, and pay no heed to Harry - not so much as giving
the chance to explain. Wizarding World also has lots of people who
have stamped Harry as a liar (just like Aunt Marge, refusing to
believe Harry who IS telling the truth), so much so that 'story worthy
of Harry Potter' means a BIG lie (says Hermione), but apparently at
least Cornelius Fudge and Percy Weasley have that on him - refusing to
believe Voldemort's return.

In addition, Dursleys also try prevent Harry from coming to Hogwarts.

(they do, however, take Dudley's say over just about ANYTHING). So in
Harry's mind, this testimony from Seamus makes his mother as bad if
not *worse* than Dursleys. In effect, very much like Dursleys are to
Harry. Since Seamus defies his mother, Harry assumes he now feels the
same about her as Harry has felt about Dursleys all his life.

Empathy question: How would Harry take it if someone insulted the
Dursleys? Answer: Possibly make him very happy. It DID happen when
Hagrid gave Harry his letter (belittling Vernon and giving Dudley a
pig-tail), and the memory of *that* was the first one happy enough to
produce *something* from his wand during his Patronus-lessons. Harry's
not about to let Dementor take Dudley though!

So in effect, Harry - by insulting Seamus' mother IS answering the
question: His anger over such belief should tell it's not true. It's
also anger for her to treat Seamus so - (attempting to prevent his
coming to Hogwarts).

Harry doesn't see how defying parents/guardians in order to come to
Hogwarts could be a problem once you get there (he's ALWAYS doing it
and having only a 'how to get out of Dursleys and into Hogwarts' as a
problem).

Now let's get back to the Question Seamus asks Harry:

He, as *everyone* in Hogwarts (except for the first years) know that

Cedric Diggory died during the third task.

Dumbledore told them of the matter: 

a) Voldemort murdered Cedric. b) Harry brought Cedric's body back to
Diggorys at the risk of his life.

The question is: 

Do you believe Dumbledore or not? If you do, you need not ask about
Voldemort's return.

NOW, question for Fudge&others: if you don't believe Dumbledore, how
are you going to explain Cedric's death? Blame Harry, perhaps, just
like Dursleys do with just about everything going WRONG? While Harry
blames himself for suggesting they take the prize together for
Hogwarts, he's no more guilty than Sirius for persuading James to
switch Secret-Keepers...

While it is proper to ask before acting even if you believe the other
party is guilty (as Harry does for Draco and for Sirius) - well,
considering Sirius' response and the result, I'm not so sure if
answering is the best action. Besides, with most WW considering Harry
a liar, how could he *ever* convince anyone he's not, except by
getting angry at anyone who wrongly accuses him, and correcting these
lies whenever there's someone to confront about it (namely Umbridge)?

And really, Harry can't answer, because he doesn't know what to say.
While he has perfect right to expect at least to be given a chance to
speak for himself, he doesn't expect it.

Conclusion: Harry and Seamus both misunderstood each other. Mind you,
as far as i can see, Seamus is the only one of Harry's Dorm-mates who
believed ANY of those rumours. (Enough to be confused, not enough to
be set in it, I'd say). Dean says he never told his parents and they
don't know anything, being Muggles. He's not saying anything about
what *he* thinks. (still, between the lines I read this: Hey Ron, it's
Seamus' *mother* who has the problem, not Seamus - and I believe
Harry). Neville then: First he says what his Grandmother thinks of
those rumours. (Between the lines he says to Ron: It's Seamus'
*mother* with the problem and to Seamus: How can your mother believe
such rubbish? I understand very well if Harry insults such person.)
Then he states firmly: "We believe Harry". (How come you two didn't
come to think of saying out loud what YOU think? Don't you think Harry
needs to be told after all that nasty stuff in the papers?)

Finwitch