Olive Branch (was Re: Dumbledore the Counselor )

[Tonks]

No: HPFGUIDX 124479


--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "lupinlore" <bob.oliver at c...> 
wrote:
> Nevertheless, I think it's time for all of us to admit that none 
of us are going to change our positions.  For those of us who see 
blatant child abuse in the case of Harry and the Dursleys, and who 
feel that Dumbledore must be held accountable for that, no argument 
or quotation will budge us.  It's just that simple.  We aren't going 
to back down because we feel it's too important and the case is far 
too clear, and furthermore has been verified by JKR herself.
>

Tonks here:
I am willing to admit that Harry's treatment at the Dursley's was a 
form of abuse.  Not as server as many kinds, but if JKR calls it 
that OK. I think that Harry survived it well and that it may even 
have helped him grow into a stronger person.  But is it a grand leap 
to say that the blame is with DD.  Yes, we can go round and round on 
this one. I will never say that DD is to blame. Period. My reasons 
are:  DD is not responsible for the actions of others. None of us 
are.  No one can force another to love. That is an important point 
in the books along with the power of choice.  Each person has free 
will to do good or ill.  Not even the great and powerful DD can take 
that away from a person.  So all the ideas of bribery, threatening, 
etc. are not only against everything that DD stands for, they simply 
can not override basic free will. And it is clear to me at least 
that DD had no other choice. He did what he needed to do to keep 
Harry safe in the long run.  Others here will disagree on that, but 
I think that we have canon to back it up.  In any event, I agree 
that we can just drop this discussion because there is nothing one 
side can say to change the other and it just gets everyone's blood 
pressure up.

Tonks_op
Who will always defend DD.