Dumbledore the General

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 124313


>>Alla:
<snip>
>First - could you explain what renewal of Triwizard torunament has 
to do with preparing for Voldemort's return?<

Betsy:
Unity.  This has actually been an ongoing theme, socially and 
otherwise throughout the books.  And it makes sense in a military way 
too.  There ain't nothing wrong with bunches and bunches of allies, 
and by hosting the Triwizard Tournament Dumbledore gained the aid of 
another half-giant, the brightest and best of two other wizarding 
schools, and a possible inroad to the veelas.  A very neat trick on 
Dumbledore's part. 

>>Alla:
>Second - I am one of those who believes that Dumbledore wanted Harry 
to have a go at Voldemort with "stone business", so I am afraid I 
don't see this one as "purposefully keeping stone out of Voldemort's 
hands".<

Betsy:
But even if you take that tack (which I don't - it goes against 
Dumbledore's character and is rather high risk in too many ways, IMO) 
Dumbledore still expected the Death Eater to be defeated and the 
Stone to remain in his custody.  So no matter who the foil was 
supposed to be, Harry or the Mirror itself, Voldemort is down a 
servant and doesn't get the Stone.  This is pro-actively keeping 
Voldemort from returning when the means of his defeat is still rather 
young to face him.  And it also points to Dumbledore keeping an ear 
to the ground with regards to Voldemort's activities.  The Stone was 
removed from Gringotts *before* Quirrell made his attempt.  I don't 
think that was a coincedence.

>>Alla: 
>Third - could you point out to "careful chipping away of House old 
rivalries"? I see Gryffindor/Slytherin house rivalry as strong as 
ever, unfortunately ( hopefully this will change). I mean, sure DA 
was formed, but three other houses never were exactly enemies anyway, 
except on Quiditch field.<

Betsy:
Slytherin is still on the outs, yes.  But the unity (there's that 
word again <g>) of the other three houses behind Harry within the DA 
is huge.  And no, there's no canon that shows Dumbledore actively 
working on changing the status quo -- but at a school such as this, 
the headmaster sets the tone.  Dumbledore cultivated an atmosphere 
that made the inter-house DA possible.  (Perhaps the glee club, or 
gob-stone club that get brief mentions had something to do with this.)

And the hat makes it rather clear in his OotP song that there was bad 
blood between all four houses.  I'm sure there's been ebb and flow as 
to the strongest rivalries (probably having a lot to do with the 
strongest Quidditch teams) but there was definitely a distrust 
there.  The DA is helping to end that distrust. 

>>Alla:
<snip>
>He sent the missions to Giants not fifteen years ago, but only after 
the Graveyard disaster. Sounds to me exactly as you said "Oh, allies, 
right. We should get some now" :o)<

Betsy:
Not to be mean to the Giants... but...  They don't have the most 
stable of societies.  An alliance made fifteen years ago may not have 
lasted into the present.  I think the Giants will be up for grabs 
until the battle actually starts and they stop fighting amongst 
themselves and start fighting with whichever group they've decided to 
ally with.

But Dumbledore has been chatting up the Centaurs and the Merfolk and 
the halfbreeds and international wizards...

>>Alla:
>I would like to know why Dumbledore should take the credit for the 
fact that Voldemort's return had been revealed?<

Betsy:
I agree completely with Laurasia. Dumbledore used the Prophecy to 
hold Voldemort's attention in a direction of his choosing and to 
force Voldemort to reveal himself.

Dumbledore called attention to the Prophecy by setting out the 
guards.  Voldemort knew of its existence, and this clued him in to 
its importance.  We know, via Harry's scar, that Voldemort was fairly 
focused on getting that Prophecy.  (Not a stupid thing on his part.  
Best to know your weaknesses before committing to battle.) So rather 
than working, as Pheonixgod suggested in another post, on shoring up 
his resources and laying down battle plans of his own, Voldemort 
concentrated all year on getting to that prophecy.

Dumbledore knew that only two people could put hand on that prophecy: 
Harry and Voldemort.  Harry was supposed to be kept well out of it.  
Through Occlumency and the protection of Hogwarts Voldemort was 
supposed to be denied access to Harry.  And that would mean that 
Voldemort himself would have to go to the DoM to fetch the prophecy 
with his own hands.  As Laurasia pointed out, this would be the prime 
place to show to the WW that Voldemort is indeed back.

Just like with the Stone, Harry very nearly screws the entire plan by 
showing up at the MoM himself.  But the end result is much as 
Dumbledore planned, Voldemort is seen by too many wizards to be 
denied now, and Dumbledore is proved correct while Fudge is proved 
wrong.  Which has the added bonus of giving Dumbledore a bit more 
power now within the WW.

Again, this points to Dumbledore having a strong, well thought out 
plan.  The fact that it goes to pot for a while there and some fast 
work has to be done on Dumbledore's part to make sure it ends as well 
as it can, only goes to show that not only can Dumbledore lay out a 
good plan, he can react to unforseen problems quickly enough to still 
have a victory.  Which is a sign of a good leader, IMHO. :)

Betsy