Time-Travel and Free Will in POA

[Richard Jones]

No: HPFGUIDX 132469

Notice that when Dumbledore first walked into the Infirmary at around 
11:55 PM and saw Harry and Hermione, he must have realized that they 
had in fact already decided to time-travel and had in fact succeeded 
in their time-traveling mission — for if they had not succeeded, they 
would have had the Dementor's Kiss applied and would not be in their 
condition in the Infirmary at that time.  So he knew they must have 
accepted their time-traveling mission and accomplished their task 
before he asked them!

So is Dumbledore's foreknowledge compatible with Harry and Hermione's 
free will?  That is, Dumbledore already knew they must have done it — 
so did they then really have any free will in the matter?  Or did 
they somehow exercise free will before Dumbledore arrived at the 
Infirmary?  Could they now refuse to time-travel when he suggests 
it?  It was now impossible that time-traveling Harry2 not produce the 
Patronus because pre-time-taveling Harry1 saw it — so did Harry and 
Hermione really have any choice but to use the Time-Turner?  Or is 
Dumbledore knowing what must have happened and Harry1 seeing the 
Patronus simply irrelevant to the question of free will?  That is, 
Dumbledore simply knew what they had freely chosen.

And, incidentally, why did Dumbledore come running into the Infirmary 
then?  What did he know and when did he know it?  

And while I'm asking incidental questions: why would the Dementors 
attack Harry any way?  Sirius, yes, but why go after Harry with the 
Dementor's Kiss?

Richard "I Brake for House Elves" Jones