Characters and Consequences? was: Harry's emotions his strength or his weakness?

[M. Thitathan]

No: HPFGUIDX 141649

Alla wrote: "I think JKR backed of with Dumbledore's speech in HBP, because to me the main point Dumbledore seemed to make in OOP as to Harry's situation at Dursleys was " I knew you would suffer" and the main point of his speech at Dursleys in HBP was " I trusted you to raise him like a son, but you never treated him like son" ( paraphrase). Those two points seem to be contradictory to me, BUT I am actually HAPPY that JKR backed off, because I DO like Dumbledore, I do NOT think that he is a Puppetmaster, but I think that his speech in OOP seemed to give that impression and I do not think that this was her intent at all. So, I much rather have Dumbledore who was hoping that Dursleys treat Harry as family member than the one who KNEW that they would not and left Harry with them anyway. As I said, to me JKR redeemed Albus (sort of) with his HBP speech. Right, I should stop now, because I could go on and on. :-)"   <SNIP>
 

 
CH3ed: I like Alla's line of thinking. I think DD was neither a puppet-master nor a mother hen. He foresaw potential outcomes of things well, but he was willing to give those he dealt with the chance to rise to the occasion .... or not, which I think is wise, as long as DD guarded against potentially disastrous outcomes (DD gave Riddle the benefit of a doubt and a chance when Riddle was at school, but he was keeping his eyes on him all the same...tho he couldn't catch Riddle openning the Chamber of Secrets, etc). I think DD hoped the Dursleys would treat Harry well, but he suspected they wouldn't. At the same time he foresaw that even that would be better for Harry than to have him brought up without his mother's lingering protection at other wizarding household in full knowledge of his revered status in the WW (which would probably have spoiled him). So DD knew Harry would suffer living with the Dursleys, but it would be the kind of suffering that builds characters.  
I also buy DD's read of LV as never trusting anyone and never considering anyone as his friend or confidant, but expendable servants. I'd bet that in the course of Book 7 one Bellatrix Lestrange would finally figure that out in LV and considers his not returning her loyalty (for lack of better word) to be a betrayal worthy of some hysterically irrational act (the kind Bella seems apt to.... Hot-headedness seems to run in the Blacks with the possible exception of Phineas Nigelus) that could really cost LV something dearly. It would be something to see the evil lord brought down (to where Harry could finish him off) by his own disgrunted servants, wouldn't it? A fine pay back for DD.