Harry's assumption VS Everyone's assumption

[richter_kuymal]

No: HPFGUIDX 151674

 Ceridwen: I do believe Snape reacted very differently once it 
became a matter of life and death in a real sense, the same way 
Draco blanched at  killing Dumbledore face to face.  It's one thing 
to talk  belligerently; it's another thing to actually have a hand, 
however  remote, in death.

PAR:  He spent years as either a true DE or as a spy for the OOP. 
Either way he had a hand in the deaths of individuals.  And not 
necessarily remotely, either.  I find his story that he regretted 
the death of the Potters unbelievable, just as Harry found it so.  
JKR says DD makes mistakes.  Trusting Snape was one -- sometimes 
believing in remorse and giving second chances is NOT the right 
thing to do, even if it is "easier" because it's what you WANT to do.

> Ceridwen: in the sense  that I do think Dumbledore will 'do what 
is right' rather than what is easy, even if it does involve the 
deaths of some people.  That's  the way it is in war, and it cannot 
be avoided.  Acknowledging that some people will have to die is a 
far cry from deliberately laying a  trap using tools which are 
unproven (the ancient magic) in order to  vaporize but not eliminate 
the threat.  <large snippage>  DD tells Harry what he needs to know, 
 nothing more.  Harry is still a child during most of these books.  
It  isn't his business to know Snape's business.

PAR: I disagree. Dumbledore HAS done what is "easy" for him.  An 
individual, even a child, is entitled to make INFORMED consent.  Not 
partially informed consent.  It is reasonable to put things in a way 
that a child UNDERSTANDS by simple explanations. It is NOT 
reasonable to withhold things.  Snapes' busines IS Harrys' business 
to the degree it affects HARRY. And Snape being the informant did.  
DD took the "easy" way out -- rather than risk LV finding out from 
HP he didn't tell HP things.  And that lack of information has time 
and again caused problems.  If the series of tests in the getting of 
the stone is a trap in SS/PS, then TELLING HP that would have been 
useful.  Not just the adults can take care of it. (and if it was a 
test for HP, that's equally bad). And yes, when Harry asked that 
first time, that was when it would have been right to tell Harry. 
And DD at least admits that one.  If he had done as much for Sirius 
as he did for Morfin, Sirius wouldn't have spent 12 years in 
Azkaban.  If he had informed Harry fully, I doubt the whole MOM 
episode of OOP would have occured. it was "easier" not to tell 
because an informed Harry was a risk -- but that is the only way 
Harry could have made informed consent.  In taking the position that 
secrecy is more important "for the greater good", DD has asked his 
followers to risk their lives -- without always knowing the risks or 
the reasons.  That may be acceptable to a soldier who as an adult, 
signs up KNOWING that this is what is going to be the case, it's 
another thing to do it to those who are asked or just put in that 
position without the knowledge.  I have my doubts that DD ever told 
either the Longbottoms or the Potters about that prophesy.  And I 
suspect that the lack of trust on DD's part made for the lack of 
trust on the Potter's part in their choice of SK.  Harry is the most 
affected by the prophesy. He has a right to know the entire truth 
about it.  DD's lack of being forthright is one of the things I 
really dislike about DD.
PAR.