Love was Re: Lily's protection

[kchuplis]

No: HPFGUIDX 143676

I have the feeling that this is, perhaps, the single most important 
theme of the HP story. I was wondering what all we really know about 
this "magic". I have only read the books once, all together, and just 
got done. This is the theme (or maybe more of a motif) that continues 
to beam out at me. 

Love can be subdivided, too, into the properties of loyalty and 
courage (what is right is not always easy). What other elements are 
covered that may construct a part of this potent protection?

We think of the protection of love in regards to Harry and Lily, but 
there are other incidences where, in particular, loyalty (which is 
very intricately associated with love) play a part. Harry is 
DD's "man, through and through". His loyalty gave him the protection 
or at least the tools he needed to overcome Tom in the Chamber of 
Secrets. Exponentionally, Harry has the ability to represent those 
factors back out to those around him. 

Originally, the protection of love was such that LV could not even 
touch Harry. That is definitely gone, but as seen at the end of GoF, 
he still cannot posess him. DD really pounds home that it is just the 
love of Lily that affords Harry protection but Harry's ability *to 
love* that protects him. As Harry grows older and the pure innoncence 
of youth is lost, Harry's biggest threat, I think, is the intrusion 
of other emotions (only natural both because of life experience, but 
also, let's face it, hormones as well)possibly eclipsing his good 
nature. We see more and more anger from Harry, as well as obsessive 
revenge tendancies beginning to form. 

The hope is Harry has felt pity even for his worst enemies, to some 
degree. During the penseive experiences in watching LV and in 
watching Draco. Pity is like an "off shoot" property of love. I think 
it was very important to DD that Harry recognize that. I think pity 
is a link to understanding and that to overcome LV, Harry has to 
understand him (which we well know he is capable of). How far can he 
go in this without losing his (well nurtured by DD) balance?

And my last thought, at this time is, what kind of protection did DD 
impart to Harry with his sacrifice? I am of the opinion (we shall 
see) that Snape was well within DD's confidence to kill him in order 
to protect both Harry and Draco. Draco is not yet a lost cause. He 
has not yet killed and moreover, does not really want to...yet. I 
still believe that DD is not such an idiot that his trust in Snape 
was a complete mistake. The end of HBP was a true (to borrow a Star 
Trek phrase) Kobayashi Maru situation...a no win situation that is a 
test of character. 

I was just wondering what other thoughts folks had on this subject.

kchuplis