Dumbledore on the Dursleys in OotP (was:Re: Old, old problem.)

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 151105

> >>kchuplis:
> It's interesting because ( I know, crossover, but bear with me,  
> elves), this is apparently why Mike Newell had DD so on edge in    
> GoF.  
> <snip>

Betsy Hp:
That performance really worked for me (which is not the popular 
stance, I think) because yes, yes, yes!  Dumbledore got totally 
*played* in that book.  And he *knew* he was missing something, 
hence all that pensieve musing.  How many years has he worked with 
Moody?  And he didn't realize that this man was not good, old Mad-
Eye.  (Did Dumbledore even hear about the attack on Draco?)  Harry 
lived through the end of that particular adventure because of his 
own luck.  Dumbledore was unable to do anything for him: magic 
pensieve or no magic pensieve.

But that's the thing -- Dumbledore gets played in just about every 
single book.  He knows Quirrell is the weak link; but not that 
Voldemort is hitching a ride on the back of Quirrell's head.  He 
knows that Tom Riddle is the "Heir of Slytherin"; he has no idea 
*how* Tom is releasing the Slytherin monster.  He's sure Sirius is 
the traitor. Fake!Moody speaks for himself. Dumbledore totally 
misreads and mishandles Harry.  And finally, Dumbledore 
underestimates Draco's intelligence and creativity (and possibly 
makes a lethal mistake while destoying the ring horcrux).
   
Dumbledore's greatness, I think, is his ability to realize that he 
really isn't as fabulous as his fan club thinks he is.  (I'm 
thinking about characters like McGonagall here.)  That's why he's 
able to pull a victory out of some rather hopeless looking 
situations.  He's able to entertain the option that casts him as 
deeply and horribly wrong.  ("Holy crap!  That's not good, old Mad-
Eye!"  "Holy crap!  I should be at Hogwarts!")

> >>kchuplis:
> He's a mentor, a guide, generally wise, definitely tends to take  
> the path of "let them see how they get on with it". I figure it is 
> that he sees it as experience being the best teacher, which, in    
> this case is a rather dangerous position to take for Harry, but    
> then again, the WW is NOT like the muggle world as far as how much 
> danger is TOO much danger for kids, otherwise, they would not play 
> quidditch or ever get practical magic lessons.

Betsy Hp:
If Dumbledore realizes that he's not the voice of God on high, I 
think he would see the sense in not micro-managing too much.  When 
he does interfere things don't always work out that well.  For 
example, in OotP: "Let's keep Harry in the dark on this one, mm-
kay?"  What a difference giving Harry his own head would have made.  
And Dumbledore realizes it.  Which adds to his feelings of guilt, I 
think.

Betsy Hp