Harry's emotions his strength or his weakness? ( LONG)

[M.Clifford]

No: HPFGUIDX 141577


> Valky:
> 
> <BIG SNIP>
> 
> > Many of us are saying that Harry probably won't take Snapes advice  
> > to play smart and be careful. But I, on the contrary think, it is
> > foreshadowed that he will. 
 
> Alla:
> <snip>
> Just out of curiousity, do you think Harry will try to figure out 
> how to close his mind without Occlumency? It just seems to me that 
> both JKR and Dumbledore dismissed it pretty much forever. JMO, of 
> course.
> 


Valky:
Well going strictly on the forehsdowing under the trapdoor its eems to
e that Harry will eventually try to use it. In PS/SS Harry
deliberately thinks to himself "I must lie.. I'll tell him I see
myself with the House Cup." IMHO this is *so obviously* a
foreshadowing that Harry will try Occlumency on Voldemort at the last
minute.

Now, I agree that it's written off. He really shouldn't bother, both
JKR and Dumbledore have made it fairly clear Occlumency does Harry
sweet all good, since he just doesn't hide. It's not him, really, at
the deep innermost level, to hide. He's a fighting spirit, open and
free, not afraid or ashamed, repressed or any of those things that
makes Occlumency easier to use. So in that sense, I don't see him
bothering to master it first or even think of it at all before the
moment when he decides - "it would be smart here to use Occlumency."-
but he won't suceed. 

But there is another matter of Non Verbal spells, which I think OTOH
*is* forshadowed as something Harry can use effectively. When he gets
the Stone out of the mirror, he is saying nothing, and yet he makes it
happen effortlessly. So on the matter of the Non-verbal magic, I think
Harry *is* going to apply himself to it, and I am fairly certain he
won't find it all that hard, I think it will come to him a bit like
apparating did. 

In the first instance he's not real keen, he's really good at flying
and he prefers that, so he doesn't give apparating much concern since
it makes him uncomfortable anyway. He feels the same about defensive
magic, he's excellent at defense and his shield charm is the among the
fastest and most efficient possible, he's used it on Death Eaters with
success before and twice used it on Snape with astounding effects,
while learning DADA from Snape makes him uncomfortable, it's just
plain unpleasant, like apparating, so he doesn't try to learn the
Non-verbal shield charm at all.

But then later in HBP Harry not only apparates brilliantly, he takes a
side-along passenger as well, without a hitch. Because he concentrates
and tries, and totally ignores the uncomfortable side effects. So I
see the same thing happening with Non-Verbal spells. Soon enough we'll
see Harry use a Non-verbal defense charm, possibly on Voldemort, that
is not only good, but Bloody Brilliant! and beyond the level he is
expected to be working at.
  
 
> > Jen: 
> 
> I'm not sure JKR is saying feelings matter more than anything 
> > else in Potterverse. She mentioned being a little reserved 
> > herself,  and her author alter-ego Dumbledore is remarkably 
> > reserved as well (with good reason, I think, but still presented 
> > as emotionally contained).


Valky:
You're right Jen, but I can't help thinking that JKR has also tried to
make the point, very strongly, that Dumbledore's greatness and
calmness of emotions is not *what is needed* or else Dumbledore will
have done the job himself. Sure, I agree, JKR isn't saying exactly
that feelings are the utmost of importance in the Potterverse, or in
the battle, but I think she is saying that Harrys little tornado of
feelings are not such a great handicap to him. As long as he has the
strongest three on his side, the Friendship, Bravery and Love, no
reserved behaviour will compare. 

In OOtP Snape takes a bite out of Harry on this point. When Harry says
Voldemorts name, Snape gets shirty Harry then argues - Well,
Dumbledore says it - and Snape then goes on to say - Okay, for someone
strong and great as Dumbledore, but us weaker wizards, well especially
someone as pitiful as you Potter, we have to keep ourselves otherwise
cautioned.

But isn't it Dumbledore, himself, that totally dismisses all of these
notions by saying that Harry's power is greater than his, and by
telling Harry that Occlumency was a fiasco? Otherwise saying that if
emotional containment and wizarding skill were really the exclusive
key to winning, then you, Harry, are not the man for the job, so since
you *are* that man, must be something else that is required, hey? like
being brave enough to say Voldemort. <g>.

Valky