Harsh Morality (was Re: Double standards and believing)

[snow15145]

No: HPFGUIDX 121028


Lupinlore snipped:
> Dumbledore's decision to leave Harry with the Dursleys. I have
been
> extremely critical of this decision, and I have been hoping we
would
> see some exploration of its consequences. I have been hoping that
> eventually we would see a greater confession on Dumbledore's part
> that this was an extremely grey area and that he proceeded with
great
> misgivings and heartache, as well as a greater acknowledgement of
> pain Harry has suffered due to Dumbledore's decision. But I
regret
> to say I am becoming convinced we will see no such. In the harsh
> morality of the Potterverse I don't think there is room for such
> heartache and acknowledgement of Harry's pain and the injustice of
> DD's decision on any plane. DD did what was necessary to uphold
THE
> GOOD in a Platonic sense. His action was RIGHT, full stop, no
> apology or sense that perhaps the morals and priorities weren't
clear
> or that Harry deserves a chance to challenge the assumptions that
> have caused him so much pain.


Jen Reese snipped:

There was no 'good' choice for Dumbledore to make in that situation.
Every choice would have an unintended or unwelcome consequence,
either for Harry or the WW. In PS/SS we had our first clue that
Dumbledore did not relish the choice he had made: "For a full minute
the three of them stood and looked at the little bundle; Hagrid's
shoulders shook, Professor McGonagall blinked furiously, and the
twinkling light that usually shone from Dumbledore's eyes seemed to
have gone out." (SS, chap. 1, p. 16)

Snow:

What a beautiful statement, Jen! I would like to add to that: that 
this was Dumbledore's only choice
 given the sacrifice that Lily 
made; he could only expand on Lily's sacrifice and give even more 
protection to it. Was that a sacrifice in itself, yes! But it was a-
worse-than-all-evils-choice. Dumbledore had less than 24 hours to 
combat what he thought had happened with what could eventually 
happen. Given the `gray' or unknown area Dumbledore had to face (the 
plan), of not knowing absolutely who was trustworthy, whom better 
than a muggle (and a giant)? And Dumbledore used them both
wisely. It 
worked so far because Harry isn't dead from abuse or any other reason 
that could stem from abuse but overcame his upbringing and has defied 
Voldemort four times.