Harry's experiences : what's missing ?

[delwynmarch]

No: HPFGUIDX 115962


Building on the recent threads of "this is Harry's story", I'm
wondering about what new experiences Harry might have to go through.
According to JKR (paraphrase), if Harry knew what's in store for him,
he would run and hide. So I'm wondering what could be so horrible.

Physical pain ? Well, I don't know for you, but I'm getting tired of
being told 10 times in each book that "Harry had never felt such
intense pain before". I truly hope that OoP was the last book where
physical pain plays such a role. After all, he's been Crucioed back in
GoF, then tortured in OoP, then there was the possession. Short from
death itself, I don't see what could possibly be more physically
painful that those things.

Emotional pain ? Ah, many more possibilities here.

1. We already know that Harry is right now in the throes of grieving
over Sirius. Could there be other deaths that would be at least as
significant to Harry ?
- His best friends. Hum, considering that JKR said that Hermione would
live, if I'm not mistaken, that might not bode well for Ron. But it
could also be Ginny, Neville or even Luna. Or one of the twins. It
could be another one of the adults, like Lupin or Tonks, but I don't
think it would affect Harry as much.
- His mentor, DD. That would leave Harry completely alone to face LV.
Harry might have felt alone when DD would not talk to him in OoP, but
that would be nothing compared to what Harry would feel if DD died.
- His adoptive family. I'd go for one or both of the parents, with a
favour for Molly, as the mother figure, since Sirius was the real
father figure.
- Who else ? Maybe a real love interest ? (Kneasy, if you're reading,
skip this paragraph) Having Harry discover a more real and profound
love with someone more compatible than Cho, and then have this girl
taken away from Harry, might sound too stereotyped, but it could be
awfully interesting, in terms of Harry's development.

2. Harry also started discovering the true horror of guilt. Could he
possibly make another mistake, or take another wrong decision, that
would end up in another death, undisputably his fault this time ? I
somehow doubt it. JKR already killed off Cedric in GoF because he
happened to be with Harry, and Sirius because he went to Harry's help.
I don't think she will make anyone else die "just because of Harry". I
think he's learned his lesson, and won't go flying into action without
thinking again.

3. A really interesting possibility, IMO, is betrayal. There have
already been several betrayals in the story, but they were never both
intensely personal and intensely damaging. Peter betrayed Harry's
parents, not Harry himself. Marrietta betrayed the DA, not Harry
himself. Ron and Hermione both betrayed Harry, but it didn't have
lasting consequences, and it was not done to bring problems to Harry.
We're still waiting for the Real Betrayal : from someone really close
to Harry, who would betray Harry personally, with an evil intention,
and with terrible consequences. Something like Traitor!Ron, though as
a Ron fan, I can't envision it.

4. Another thing we haven't really seen, is Self-doubting!Harry. We've
had glimpses of it in almost every book, but I don't feel we've seen
Harry in full-bloom self-doubt, paralysed by his uncertainties about
himself. But now that Harry knows to what extent LV was actually
controlling him, he might have doubts as to how much he can trust
himself. He might then come to understand why many of his schoolmates
are not as determined as he is, for example.

5. And then of course, there's the ultimate test of courage : fear.
The only time I can remember Harry being really scared is before the
First Task of the TWT. But then he had to go and face his fear, and he
knew there were protections anyway. The worst he faced was public
humiliation. It would be interesting to see him facing such an intense
fear, but with no other reason to face it than because it's the right
thing to do, and with much more horrible perspectives in case of
failure. I have no doubt he would come through with his head high, but
it sure would be a good way for him to learn how to be a better leader.

What else ? Public distrust, diffamation, suspicion, isolation, being
deprived of everything he likes, being chased by evil beings, and so
on, he's already faced all those things.

On the light side, I already mentioned some more romance. Now that the
truth is revealed, I also expect a lot more loyalty and cooperation,
people looking up to him and willing to help him. An acceptation of
his special qualities and aptitudes. Things like that.

What do you think ? What have I missed ? What do you think will be the
particular trials and errors Harry will be thrown into by JKR ? And
what are the goodies she will throw him to keep him going ?

Del