The Fundamental Message.../ Heroes...

[Zara]

No: HPFGUIDX 176362

> Betsy Hp:
> I didn't like that Harry didn't figure it out for himself, I didn't 
> like that he didn't really protest (especially since this is 
> something he's *told* not something he concludes), I didn't like that 
> his parents and godfather are all "death is *great*!".

zgirnius:
After rereading DH, I have concluded that this was the point of the 
Elder Wand plotline. Dumbledore had it all worked out so that all Harry 
ever had to do was believe him, go destroy any the Horcruxes Dumbledore 
had not managed to finish off with whatever assistance he could provide 
in portrait form through Snape, and then go to die. Not all that easy, 
Harry did need to think for himself to find and destroy them all (with 
a little help from his friends, Crabbe, and Snape) but yes, all worked 
out for him in advance. And Harry would go after Snape told him, and 
instead of dying, he would have the soul-bit removed, and Voldemort 
would die his final death in the rebound, leaving Harry to live happily 
ever after.

Oops.

Instead, since Harry had not finished off Nagini, both he and Voldemort 
survived, and regained consciousness in the Forest surrounded by 
Voldemort's followers. Voldemort was still protected by his final 
Horcrux. 

And from there, Harry played it by ear. He faked being dead, and (owing 
to a compassionate action that was purely his own idea) was able to 
give Cissy the right answer. His (his, noone else's) decision to 
confide in Neville paid off for him in a big way when Neville took out 
Nagini. Then Harry engaged in a battle of wits with Voldemort (on his 
own, though doubtless using insights gained from watching Dumbledore in 
OotP and his 'lessons' in HBP, figured out the Master of the Wand 
business, drove Voldemort to the point of making a stupid move, and won 
using his signature move. All on his own, yay Harry.