Dumbledore the Counselor (was: Dumbledore the General)

[phoenixgod2000]

No: HPFGUIDX 124380




 
> Betsy:
> Because frankly, Harry has a core of strength that enables him to 
> eschew the nasty popular kid (Malfoy), or the easy route (screw 
the 
> Stone, I'm going to bed - and fine, stick me in Slytherin, 'cause 
> Muggles suck!).  And he's able to endure some fantastically 
horrible 
> peer treatment (every single year when fellow students decide he's 
> crazy and/or evil), and a totally scary teacher (his boggart was 
> *not* Snape).  I'm not saying he's this amazingly strong *because* 
of 
> the Dursleys, but if you argue that Harry is a victim of child 
abuse, 
> you really need to be able to point to some scars - physical or 
> emotional, if you have any hope of making your case.
> 
> Betsy, who admits to getting a little snarky about this particular 
> subject

Betsy, I have never made the argument that Harry is screwed up. 
Because he is amazingly well adjusted, considering and does have the 
core of strength that you talk about.  Dumbledore is lucky that 
Harry has that core because he could have screwed the pooch over 
leaving Harry with the Dursleys.

I argue that it doesn't matter that Harry isn't screwed up.  DD made 
a mistake by leaving Harry with the Dursleys regardless of whether 
or not Harry had the strength to endure it. It is not a good act to 
put someone in danger just because you suspect that they can survive 
it.  Morally wrong, no matter the outcome.

And don't fool yourself into believing that the outcome couldn't 
have been bad.  Harry could have ended up a sociopath. He could have 
ended up spineless and afraid. He could have ended up a manipulative 
dark lord in the making.  He could have been so angry at DD that he 
might be willing to turn his back on the WW once he learned how 
important he was.

The litany of bad ends that could have resulted from DD's 
interference are numerous. And all of them more likely than Harry 
ending up a basically good kid with strong morals.   

phoenixgod2000, who can be just as snarky as Betsy on this subject.