Dumbledore question

[zgirnius]

No: HPFGUIDX 162267

James:
> 1) Why didn't DD give Harry some battle training over the last 6 
years?

zgirnius:
Because Harry's 'power he knows not' isn't duelling skill superior to 
Voldemort's, though Harry's certainly gofted in that area. Also because 
Harry needed to learn how to use magic in the first place, for any 
purpose at all, before learning advanced stuff-based on seeing Snape, 
Voldemort, and Dumbledore in action, I'd say he is only now reaching 
the point where he can learn the sorts of stuff they do.

Further, Harry actually does have the opportunity to learn that sort of 
stuff at Hogwarts, and has taken good advantage of it. Dumbledore has 
facilitated this at times.

Seeking is probably a relevant skill-Dumbledore allowed the rule 
against first years with brooms to be broken for Harry in PS/SS. I'm 
sure he was pleased at the formation of a Duelling Club (did he suggest 
Snape volunteer to help, I wonder, to make sure the kids learned 
something?) Harry and Co. learned Expelliarmus, a spell that ahs saved 
Harry's life in a duel with Voldemort. In PoA Harry himself arranged to 
learn the Patronus charm-I imagine Dumbledore know this and approved of 
private lessons for Harry from his DADA instructor. In GoF Harry 
learned lots of spells useful in battle-McGonagall arranged for a place 
for him to practice with his friends. I think she would have mentioned 
this to Dumbledore. In OotP, I think Dumbledore know of, and approved, 
the DA.

> 2) Why didn't DD ever tell Harry how he destroyed the ring horcrux?

zgirnius:
I don't know how he did, and that could certainly explain why. It is an 
answer I hope to get in 7. Also, as far as simple facts Harry was not 
told but might need, I wouldn't dismiss the possibility that Harry 
might yet learn them from Dumbledore in a letter, Pensieve memory, etc. 
Dumbledore expected he was going into danger when they left for the 
cave, and might have made arrangements in case of his death.

> 3) Did DD ever let the OotP know that Harry is the one that has to 
vanquish Moldie?

zgirnius:
No, he did not (assuming, as I believe, that he would not tell a flat-
out lie to Harry). Hed even told Harry so, when he stated that only he 
and Harry know the Prophecy in full.

There is, however, a living member of the Order (Snape) who knows at 
least that Harry has 'the power to vanquish the Dark Lord'. There may 
be others.

> 5) Why didn't DD insist that the DA continue?

zgirnius:
Two reasons. One, Harry was going to be busy learning the really 
important stuff that Dumbledore believes is the key to vanquishing 
Voldemort. (Voldemort's background and the Horcruxes). Two, the DA was 
necessary because the DADA teacher in fifth year was deliberately 
teaching nothing. Dumbledore arranged to change that by appointing as 
DADA teacher in the sixth year a man he knew to be outstanding in the 
field, and trusted completely.