[HPforGrownups] Re: Dumbledore on the Dursleys in OotP (LONG)

[Sherry Gomes]

No: HPFGUIDX 151550

PJ:
I have no idea what she was trying to write or what it is you read but I
know what message I've gotten throughout the books.  
Dumbledore is the leader of the Order and if the leader shows no respect
(how many times has he reminded Harry that it's PROFESSOR, rather than just
Snape?) then neither do the underlings.  It's that simple.

PJ


Sherry now:

I had never thought of it that way, but now you've got me going.  You are
absolutely correct, I think.  I was appalled at the way people treated
Sirius in his own home.  Dumbledore, who is so big on respect allowed it,
though he wasn't present at the molly and Snape moments.  It is chilling to
think of him that way, because it makes him pretty damn cold-blooded and
uncaring, which is not supposed to be the impression we have of Dumbledore.
He even sent Sirius off while Harry was still in the hospital wing at the
end of GOF, when Harry so obviously wanted him to stay.  Honestly, would an
hour have made any difference?  Wouldn't it have been nice to help comfort
the all important prophecy boy with the one person whose presence Harry
wanted?

My only objection to your post is about Harry's grief.  I do not believe
Harry has gotten over the death of Sirius very quickly, or even at all by
the end of HBP.  Harry grieves inside, doesn't express it much.  The
beginning of HBP shows a very poignant glimpse of Harry's pain, I think.
also, Harry can't bring himself to talk about Sirius.  Whatever he says to
Dumbledore about handling Sirius' death doesn't mean that's what he feels
inside.  I am that way when I grieve.  I keep it inside, absolutely never
talk about it and tell those who ask that I am fine.  I find grief far too
deep and personal to share with the world, and Harry's nature as its been
revealed to us, is that of someone who has learned too well the lessons
about keeping his feelings to himself.  His reactions in HBP were very
moving to me.

Of course, there's the angle too, that JKR probably had to put any on stage
grieving aside, to get on with the rest of what she wanted to do in HBP, but
I still think she did a great job, in a few sentences of showing Harry's
pain.

Sherry