Sirius, Sirus, and more Sirius/ Blood protection/ Dumbledore and Harry

[Tonks]

No: HPFGUIDX 158542

> > Magpie:
> > <SNIP> The author happened to know that this was a fairy 
> > tale and Harry would magically be okay, but in the real world I 
> > don't think an abusive environment usually leads to being a 
stronger person--it leads to quite the opposite. A loving 
environment, even  if it's flawed, seems far more likely to produce 
a strong person. If his magical blood protection from a dead mother 
is stronger than an upbringing that might otherwise have led to 
rage, violence and a lack of connection to people and so a lack of 
empathy, that could chalk another one up in the "blood matters" 
column. 
> 
> 
> Michelle here:
> Not every person that starts out in ugly or even not so nice 
> situations turns out messed up. Some of us are stronger for it.  
> More compassionate... more sensitive to feelings and in touch with 
> others weaknesses.  Not everyone turns to rage or violence when 
> verbally or physically abused.  That's one of the things I 
connected with most with Harry... he didn't turn dish out what he 
got... he gave what he lacked.
>  

Tonks:
The last thing I wand to do is to start arguing about the Dursleys 
again. We are all in one camp or another and no one is going to 
change their mind. But
 

I get the feeling that those on one side of the fence seem to think 
that there are all these *loving* families out there.  I want to ask 
what fairytale is that?  There are a few, very few, mentally healthy 
families where children get good parenting, feel loved and grow up 
to be well adjusted.  It is a joy to see those families.  I wish I 
had been raised in one like that myself and I was not abused in any 
way.  Most children are lucky if they have one loving parent in 
their life.  I have heard horror stories of the ways most people 
were raised, even in families with no physically or sexual abuse.  
The Dursleys are IMO a rather typical family that has taken in a 
relative's child.  They show more love and attention to their own 
child. Not that it is right, but it is reality.

I think it is a very good thing that Harry grew up in the home that 
he did. Not for Harry's sake, but for the sake of the children who 
are reading the books.  IMO, Harry is in a rather typical family. I 
think that children can identify with him and learn to cope with the 
things in their own families by reading about Harry.  What a 
disservice JKR would have done to the children of the world if she 
has put Harry in some *fairytale* goody, goody family all sweetness 
and light and kisses and hugs all the time.  Most children do not 
grow up in that type of home. And even those few who do usually have 
times when they feel misunderstood and unloved.  All children can 
identify with Harry and learn from him, something they might not be 
able to do if he had been raised by a fairytale family.

Tonks_op