Couple of questions after CoS reread

Thu Mar 3 07:12:05 UTC 2005

No: HPFGUIDX 125438

Alla wrote:

>>Remember when Collin is petrified and McGonagall and Dumbledore 
are having the following conversation:

>>Now, it is a fact that Dumbledore suspected Tom Riddle back in the 
days, right? Does it mean that he knew for sure that Riddle/Voldie 
is back in Hogwarts? 

>>If said conclusion is true, does it mean that Harry's struggle in 
CoS was also just a test or at least half-test ( I am of the firm 
opinion that Philosopher stone was a test and the only thing which 
Dumbledore has not anticipated was him leaving school)?

>> Did Dumbledore know for sure what was going to happen and the 
only thing he did not anticipate was Lucius making Board to suspend 
him?<<

KathyK:

To rephrase Dumbledore, it's the question of 'how' LV was doing it 
that was important.  To me this says quite clearly that he believed 
from the start LV to be responsible for opening the Chamber.  I 
don't believe Dumbledore *knew* Riddle/LV returned to Hogwarts.  I 
think he had a lot of trouble figuring out this mystery. As he says 
after hearing what happened in the Chamber of Secrets:

*****
"What interests *me* most," said Dumbledore gently, " is how Lord 
Voldemort managed to enchant Ginny, when my sources tell me he is 
currently in hiding in the forests of Albania."

--CoS, Ch 18, Dobby's Reward, US ed p 328
*****

Obviously at this point Dumbledore had most of, and was about the 
get all the answers he's been seeking since the Chamber opened.  I 
don't believe he had any idea about the particulars until he heard 
them from Harry.  In other words, I don't think it was meant to be a 
test (in the way PS/SS seemed to be a test).  Dumbledore had no 
choice but to allow events to unfold as they did because he 
genuinely didn't know *how* LV was able to open the Chamber.  

He had reason to believe LV was in Albania.  Yet he knew Tom Riddle 
had previously opened the Chamber and seemed to have no doubt that 
he was doing so presently.  What were the possible explanations?  
Let's see...His sources were mistaken, LV knew how to be in two 
places at once, someone else had managed to find their way into the 
Chamber either on their own or with LV's assistance, or the, IMO, 
unlikely scenario where Dumbledore knew exactly what was going 
on.    

I just don't think it's possible Dumbledore had quite the strong 
handle on the situation to allow it to be called a test.  He may 
have suspected Harry & Co. were doing some investigating on their 
own, I do not know.  What I do know is that he needed this mystery 
solved.  One of the reasons I think he let the attacks go on to the 
point where he was removed is that he knew closing the school was 
not going to solve the problem.  

The attacks, whether perpetrated by LV in person, from afar, or 
another person, would not stop so long as the school was open.  With 
the school closed, though, there was no particular reason for the 
Basilisk to roam outside the Chamber.  Not to mention the 
perpetrator might be slipping through his fingers if everyone goes 
home.  The mystery goes unsolved.  With sufficient time passing, 
perhaps they re-open Hogwarts only to find muggleborns being 
attacked again, with no end in sight.  Then what?  Close Hogwarts 
permanently.  

Dumbledore wasn't about to see that happen.  He needed the school 
open in order to solve the mystery.  I think he anticipated more 
petrifications on the path to discover what was going on and I agree 
he didn't anticipate his own suspension.  However,the events in CoS 
were not part of a well-orchestrated test designed for Harry at the 
expense of the safety and peace of mind of Hogwarts population.  

Alla:

>> Second question. When Hedwig brings Harry a Cristmas gift from 
Dursleys.

>> <snip> "They had sent Harry a toothpick and a note telling him to 
find out whether he'd be able to stay at Hogwarts for summer 
vacation too." - CoS, p.212, paperback.

>> Let's assume that Dursleys were serious when they wrote a note. 
We all know the drill about Harry's protection, right?  Does it mean 
that Dursleys were not informed about the nature of the protection 
by Dumbledore? That he definitely must spend some time there.

>> Does it mean that Dumbledore was still keeping secrets at the end 
of OOP and Harry does not necessarily have to return to Dursleys 
every year and can  skip a year or two.

>> Does it mean  that Dursleys were hoping that protection deal will 
stop when Harry goes to Hogwarts?<<

KathyK:

Perhaps only Petunia knew the particular nature of her agreement 
with Dumbledore and Vernon wrote this note.  I also think you may be 
on to something when you mention the Dursleys may think their part 
in Harry's safety is over once he started Hogwarts.  I wonder how 
detailed Dumbledore was with his explanation.  

Maybe they figured if Harry was going to Hogwarts, the wizard folk 
best be taking some responsibility for their own kind and leave 
nice, normal folks like themselves out of it.  They'd done their 
part.  The boy was alive.  They'd even tried to go a bit further and 
keep him entirely away from that unsavory lot.  Would have been 
best, really but since that magic school was bent on having him, 
well, they can *have* him then.  

I certainly *do not* think Dumbledore would tell Harry he must 
return to the Dursleys every year if he could get away with doing so 
less frequently.  What would be the point of that?  

KathyK