Harry's character development

[Derek Hiemforth]

No: HPFGUIDX 139106

"dkeeberlibryn" <dkeeberlibryn at y...> wrote:
> I wonder if he will serve as the point of the spear that is 
> comprised of many others who join forces with Harry to bring about 
> the demise of V.

Derek:
I think that's very possible.  I think you're right in saying that
Harry doesn't seem anywhere near ready for a full-on, one-to-one
battle with LV.

But I'm not sure he needs to be.  I don't think it's "realistic"
to expect Harry to somehow become a more powerful wizard than LV
by the age of 17.

I've just re-read GF, and while reading it, I was struck by how much
Harry's success in the tournament tasks is due to his friendships.
He's always been a great friend to Hagrid, and Hagrid helps him by
showing him the dragons for the first task.  He helped Cedric by
warning him about the dragons, and Cedric helps him by suggesting
he listen to the egg in the bath.  He freed Dobby from the dreadful
Malfoys, and Dobby helps Harry by giving him the Gillyweed.  Later,
Harry helps Cedric against Krum and against the giant spider, as a
result of which, Cedric wants Harry to take the cup.

In short, I think Harry has built alliances throughout his life by
being helpful, courageous, and doing the right thing (for the most
part).  Voldemort, on the other hand, uses the Cruciatus curse on
his closest followers...

And I suspect this difference, in the end, will be the one that
counts.  I think we may very well find, when all is said and done,
that Voldemort stands alone, betrayed by some followers (Pettigrew
and/or Draco Malfoy), deceived by some he thought were followers
(Snape), and abandoned by all the others.  While at the same time,
Harry stands with a virtual army of friends at his back, all
willing to risk their lives to stand by Harry, while Voldemort's
"friends" are deserting him like rats off a sinking ship.