Dumbledore & Dursleys-What DD Knew

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 123842


--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, Magda Grantwich
<mgrantwich at y...> wrote:
> --- Steve <bboyminn at y...> wrote:
> 
> > Now, Dumbledore can't let the 'affectionately humaized'
> > boy he cares about continue to be treated with less than the 
> > respect he deserves. I'm sure independent of whether Dumbledore 
> > instigated the end of book meeting with the Dursleys, the members 
> > of that group all feel strongly that Harry has suffered enough, 
> > 
> > Just a few thoughts.


> Madga:
>
> Great post, Steve.  Personally I don't think Dumbledore instigated
> the group threat to the Dursleys at the end of OOTP; I think he
> finally gave into the requests of others to allow them to do
> something for Harry's benefit.  In short, Dumbledore is sufficiently
> chastened at the end of OOTP that he's willing to listen to others'
> ideas about the best thing for Harry.
> 
> My read, anyway.
> 
> Magda


bboyminn:

I tried to keep my original post somewhat neutral and all inclusive,
but in truth, I don't think Dumbledore instigated the end of book
confrontation with the Dursleys, but I think he openly approved of the
idea. 

I think the key is, for all concerned, that Harry has become
'humanized'; he is no longer a legend, story, or rumor. He is a kind
and brave boy who is trapped in a cruel fate. All the members of the
Order who showed up for the confrontation, are people who now know
Harry personally, and have developed an affection for him. 

Now in a manner of speaking, they are cursed (figuratively) with
empathy; they share and feel Harry's pain, and more importantly they
care that that pain exists. 

Moody can certainly empathized with Harry. He knows first hand, the
pain, trama, and sacrifice that comes with being a Dark Wizard
fighter. Given how thoroughly that role in life has damaged him, he
wouldn't wish that pain on anyone.

Lupin, in his year as a teacher, tried to maintain a professional
teacher/student distance from Harry; an emotional distance. But I
think dispite his best efforts, given the circumstances, he couldn't
help but develope a closeness and fondness for Harry. Lupin had been
very close to Harry's father, almost like a brother, that created a
circumstance in which Lupin became like a close Uncle to Harry.
Despite the fact the he still tries to maintain a dignified emotional
distance, he can't help but love Harry like family. 

As a side note on Lupin, I think part of the reason Lupin hasn't made
more of an effort to get closer to Harry is because he is somewhat
insecure and uncertain about what his allowable role in Harry's life
should be.  Dumbledore is mentor and guide, Sirius is Godfather and
confidant, the Weasleys are surrogate family, leaving Lupin on the
fringe, once again, unsure of where he fits in. None the less, like
everyone else, he knows Harry has suffered more than enough, and he
refuses to allow any more suffering if it is at all in his power to
stop it.

Of course, the Weasely family have known Harry the longest, and they
are, without a doubt, his surrogate family. They are his only and best
role models for what a normal family should be like. In addition, no
one can doubt that the entire Weasley family have a great affection
for Harry. 

Molly has always restrained herself from criticizing the Dursley, they
are afterall Harry's true family, and generally, people hold the
belief that you don't interfere in the way another man raises his
family. But enough is enough, Molly could barely stand the pain Harry
has already endured. She, along with Arthur, have certainly reached
their limits, and they simply can not and will not allow Harry to
suffer any more.

Finally, Dumbledore; Dumbledore is caught between a rock and a hard
place. Knowing that Harry has a mostly inescapable dark and dangerous
destiny, I think he is inclined to keep his distance. He has already
caused a serious and deadly blunder partly because he allowed his
affection for Harry to cloud his judgement. Now more that ever, he
must force himself to maintain an objective emotional distance. He
simply can't afford another blunder like the last one. Harry is
certainly important, but upon Dumbledore's decisions, hangs the fate
of the entire wizard world. 

Despite that, I'm sure he approves of the Order members intervening on
Harry's behalf. Despite having to maintain a practical emotional
distance from Harry, that's no reason for Harry to be miserable at the
Dursleys. Given the overwhelming emotional pain and conflict that
Harry is certainly feeling, it's well within reason, to rein in the
Dursleys. Further, I'm completely convinced that Dumbledore deeply
regrets not having done so sooner.

In addition, there is work to be done, strategically, they have lost
the luxury of letting Harry languish in seculsion at the Dursley's
every year. There is too much ground to cover, too much preparation to
be done. So, one they have sufficiently reenforced the 'Protection of
Blood' Charm, it time to pull Harry out, and get down to the business
at hand. Hence, Harry's shortest stay ever at the Dursley's.

As a side note, I'm secertly hoping that Harry is pulled away to
attend Neville's birthday party, mostly because I think Gran'
Longbottom needs a good telling off regarding her attitude about Neville.

Just a few thoughts.

Steve/bboyminn