Harry's assumption VS Everyone's assumption

[Tonks]

No: HPFGUIDX 151700

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "richter_kuymal" <richter at ...> 
wrote:
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' business 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.


Tonks:
I disagree that a child can make an "informed decision" about things 
that a child does not understand. Some things have been kept from 
Harry and rightly so. I do not think that DD has ever made a 
mistake. Ever! Harry is a child in most of these books. He may be 
the "chosen one", but throughout most of the books, he is still a 
child without a great deal of experience or wisdom.  I would not 
want to stake the welfare of the whole WW on an impetuous child!

Children are told what they need to know for their stage of life. 
Beyond that it is the adult's responsibility to protect and guide 
the child. When he was younger Harry had no right to know anything 
that the adults were doing. The adults WILL take care of it.  That 
is why children have parents and are not just hatched under a rock 
and on their own from day one.  

Time and time again we have seen how wrong Harry has been about one 
thing after another. And it was not his lack of knowing the whole 
truth that was the problem, "Harry" was the problem.  He jumps to 
erroneous conclusions, doesn't listen to others who are wiser, etc.  
God, to thing that the whole WW and Muggle world is dependent on 
Harry scares the hell out of me!  He can't even tell the good guys 
from the bad. He falls into every trap that LV has set for him, even 
when he is told.  I swear, I know people love him, but to me he is 
an idiot most of the time.  A sweet kid, yes
  but HE is going to 
save the world? God help us. I have more faith in Neville.

Tonks_op
DD's most loyal and faithful forever.
(But knowingly playing the devil's advocate this time. ;-)