[HPforGrownups] Re: Explaining the danger to Harry (LONG)

[Ladi lyndi]

No: HPFGUIDX 130102

festuco wrote:
 
He heard enough and experienced enough to know this was not a simple
one way ride:

"But as Dubledore's fingers closed over Harry's skin, a pain shot
through the scar on his forehad he he felt again that terrible,
snakelike longing to strike Dumbledore, to bite him, to hurt him -" OoP.

And that is the second time this happens. 

It surely would not take a genius to figure out that there is far more to the connection Harry is aware of, especially after he heard the comment of Moody in the hospital about the possibillity of LV
possessing him. That there is potential danger there. 


Lynn:
 
Pages 424-425 UK address one reason why Harry may not have understood the seriousness of what was happening.  He tells Sirius that he was the snake that attacked Arthur Weasley.  Sirius answers that since Dumbledore knows, if it was anything to worry about, Harry would have been told. 
 
Harry continues and explains that when Harry looked at Dumbledore he thought he was a snake and wanted to attack Dumbledore.  Sirius puts it down to the aftermath of the vision.
 
When Harry persists, Sirius tells Harry that Harry needs to sleep and that he's in shock.
 
In addition, both Sirius and Molly reinforce that if it hadn't been for what Harry saw, Arthur would be dead.
 
We learn at the end that these revelations alarmed Sirius enough to make sure Dumbledore knew about them and the outcome was the Occlumency lessons.
 
So, Harry has been told by an adult he respects and trusts that there really isn't anything to the connection, including the fact that Dumbledore must not think it is anything to worry about.
 
On to telling Harry about the Occulumency lessons (pgs. 458-459).  After Snape explains what Occulmency is, Harry's response was to wonder why. "But he was not being possssed, they had all agreed on that...."  He asks Snape why he had to study and the response is only that the Headmaster thinks its a good idea.  When asked why Dumbledore isn't doing it, Snape's reply is that it is the headmaster's privilege to delegate less enjoyable tasks.  
 
Sorry, I don't see anything in these conversations that convey the importance of what is happening to Harry.  What I see is the downplaying of the importance of the situation, that it is no big deal and, in fact, not important enough for Dumbledore to get involved.  
 
Now, emphasis was placed on the importance for secrecy and under normal circumstances that probably would have been a big clue.  However, since everything was a secret due to Umbridge, that did not underscore it's importance.
 
During that first lesson, Harry is focusing on Voldemort reading his mind and Harry Voldemort's, not on the fact that Voldemort could place thoughts into Harry's head.  During this session, Harry feels that he is at last getting the information that will make sense of everything.  And yet, instead of putting emphasis on the answers to Harry's questions, Snape speaks those dismissively.
 
On to the lessons themselves.  
 
"Snape had struck before Harry was ready, before he had even begun to summon any force of resistance." 
 
"'Repel me with your brain and you will not need to resort to your wand.'
'I'm trying,' said Harry angrily, 'but you're not telling me how!'
'Manners, Potter,' said Snape dangerously.  'Now, I want you to close your eyes.'
Harry threw him a filthy look before doing as he was told.  He did not like the idea of standing there with his eyes shut while Snape faced him, carrying a wand." (pg. 471-473 UK)
 
Not a very auspicious beginning to the lessons.  Not a great way to ensure the type of trust needed for learning.  As we go on, Snape discovers the door Harry has been dreaming about.  Harry closely watches for Snapes reaction when he speaks about the Department of Mysteries.  What is Snape's response?  First it's to yell at Harry for saying 'Voldemort.'  Then, Snape lies to Harry.
 
"There are many things in the Department of Mysteries, Potter, few of which you would understand and none of which concern you.  Do I make myself plain?" (pg. 475 UK)
 
(pg.471)
 
Seems to me that it would take a genius to wade through the lies, contradictions and dismissiveness of what Harry was experiencing to determine that what was happening was important and serious.  Just who or what is Harry to believe when friend and enemy alike are evading or lying to him?
 
Lynn
 
 


 

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