Harry's arrogance (was Evil Snape)

[Ceridwen]

No: HPFGUIDX 154343

AD: 
> So you propose that Harry should spill his secrets to an 
> untrusted adult, then?

Ceridwen:
That isn't what I said.  You asked what has changed.  Dumbledore's 
role in the story has changed, therefore Harry's entire method of 
dealing with problems must change.

AD: 
> What I was trying to gently point out is that it would be foolish 
> for Harry to rush into telling *anyone* else his mission right now. 
> He's going to have enough trouble without word of his plans 
> leaking to Voldemort.

Ceridwen:
Yes, agreed.  Sitting down and thinking about things is something 
that Harry doesn't normally do.  And I think he'll have to do this in 
book 7 because it's part of growing up, of actually becoming an adult 
as opposed to becoming one by arbitrary age only.

AD: 
> He may decide, after reflection, to bring in some others--perhaps
> McGonagall, in return for access to Hogwarts, or the new leader 
> of the Order of the Phoenix, to secure the Order's cooperation, but
> blurting it out to McG and company immediately after Dumbledore's
> death would have been dumb.  He needs to take his time, think it
> through, perhaps consult with the other two people who share his
> secrets, before he takes that risk

Ceridwen:
Agreed again.  We have so many possible 'ESE!So-and-sos' floating 
around the list here, I imagine Harry's wondering, too.  I wouldn't 
put it past LV to have another spy in the Order, or at least someone 
he can blackmail or coerce.

AD:
> As to whether Harry has a touch of arrogance, well, I hope he does. 
> He's going to need all the backbone he can get in the next few days,
> as he's going to have to go against the wishes of some very strong
> personalities--starting with Vernon and Petunia.

Ceridwen:
Heh, I think Harry has plenty of backbone.  Adversity makes people 
either stronger or more bitter - I think Harry has become stronger.  
But there's a point where good arrogance becomes bad arrogance.  
There is very little Harry can find out about Horcruxes, for 
instance, given that the topic is banned.  Even fifty years before 
Harry's story, the subject was not taught and was considered too 
dodgy to mention, see Slughorn's reaction to Tom's question.  As time 
goes on, less and less is known, and more and more that relates to 
the topic is cleared away.  Tom Riddle had to search it out on his 
own.  Fifty years have passed, there is less for Harry to find.

And that's another thing that makes me wonder if Harry's story isn't 
partially about relying on others.  Tom Riddle didn't and doesn't.  
He uses people, but that isn't the same.  He doesn't trust his 
people, he keeps them guessing and at each other's throats about it.  
Since it is set up this way, I honestly do believe that Harry will 
need to break down and depend on someone besides Ron and Hermione 
even despite misgivings.

Not that he got a lot of encouragement in HBP to do this!  He was 
right about Draco's mission in the RoR.  I think it was PAR who 
mentioned this, and Magpie who elaborated on the age link between 
Harry and Draco.  I really wasn't pleased that, when Harry did as he 
had been told to do for five books, he was so badly received.  But I 
think he will have to push forward, keep on trusting the people DD 
trusted despite their doubts about him and his mission.  And this is 
where his 'good arrogance' comes into play.  He'll have to trust 
someone, just to get information about Horcruxes.  When they 
prudently advise him against 'fooling around' with that sort of 
thing, he'll have to push onward anyway.  *They* will have to trust 
*him* as much as he will have to trust them.  Remember that, until 
now, he's come off as an impetuous kid to an adult POV.  He will need 
to be shown to be a true adult in the next book as well.

Anyway, I do agree with your points.  I just come at them from a 
different angle.

Ceridwen.