Love in HP (was Re: Harry's protection)

[macfotuk at yahoo.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 112966

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "arrowsmithbt" 
<arrowsmithbt at b...> wrote:
> --- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "pippin_999" <foxmoth at q...> 
wrote:
> ?> 
> > I'd say there is loads of unselfish love in the books--
sacrificial 
> > love is only the most spectacular example of it.
> > 
> 
> Give me ten examples.
> Should be easy if there's 'loads', but I think you'll have great 
difficulty
> in doing so.
> 
> In fact, love of any  sort in much thinner on the ground than most 
> posters realise. Count 'em up and see.
> 
> Kneasy

hmmmm a tall order but here goes (but bear in mind this is a gut 
response and so lots more *do* exist - AND I'm not a fast typer 
even!):

(Noting that Love as in 'he loves her/SHIP love' (romantic love) IS 
sparse in JKR because that's not what the books are about - 
Harry/Cho for example never even gets going and then is over - but 
to take a much wider definition such as the love a parent has for 
their child, a servant has for their master, an honourable person 
has for their beliefs etc, etc):

Of course, Harry displays unselfish love repeatedly - his 'saving 
people' fixation (or whatever it was Hermione accused him of) - 
always for (in his mind) noble motives and usually at personal risk 
in one way or another.

SS/PS [1] recuing a poor beleaguered python despite knowing it'll 
invoke Vernon Dursley's rage [2] rescuing Neville's remembrall (and 
dignity) at the risk of expulsion, [3] rescuing Hermione from the 
troll, [4] rescuing the stone including Ron's sacrifice, [5] 
Quirrel's sacrifice for his master. [6] Rescuing Hagrid from his 
rashness with Norbert, [7] Firenze going against type 

CoS [8] Dobby's going against type to warn Harry, [8] Hagrid's 
rescuing Aragog at the expense of expulsion, [9] rescuing Ginny from 
the chamber and not leaving Gilderoy behind.

PoA [9] Harry's love of his parents (not just anger) forces strong 
magic to silence Aunt Marge at the possible expense of all he holds 
valuable otherwise (WW) [10] Rescue of Buckbeak and, of course, 
sirius. [11] Rescue, if you will, of Pettigrew's 'worthless' life

GoF [11] Rescue of triwizard 2nd task 'victims' [12] return of 
Diggory's body 

OotP [13] Arguably, all members of OotP are showing their love of 
Good over evil by being members at great personal expense potentially
[14] rescue of Sirius (again), to say nothing of his fellows, only 
he fails [15] Off scene we hear of many OotPvI members who 'gave 
their life', including Molly's brothers Fabian and Gideon. [16] 
hagrid getting beaten up for his love of his brother, [17] DA 
members risks for 'what is right' [18] Firenze again

There are, of course many other loves, especially maternal which JKR 
knows and how (read her biography about her own mum and recall that 
until recently and in most of the formative years Jessica was all 
JKR had). Examples include Mrs Weasley's love in the tear-jerking 
Gof scene and in OotP boggart encounter, Mrs Diggory's, Mrs 
Crouch's, Petunia's for Dudley and not least Lily's for Harry.

Also Snape - who does he love (if anyone) and why? I believe he'll 
turn out to have extremely noble motives despite his inherent bitter 
nastiness (whether act or uncontrollable side-effect). He is nasty 
through and through in the most petty ways quite often and yet when 
called for does the most noble things.

...And Dumbledore ... scheming plotter or deeply loving?

Lastly, Harry necessarily has little love in his life - whenever he 
comes close to achieving it, it is snatched away - nothing ever 
approaches the love he has lost (mum and dad) - I suspect this is 
necessary for the denoument.