How do the books affect children? (was: Why down on all the characters?)

[stephab67]

No: HPFGUIDX 179767

Carol wrote:
While I largely agree with you, I do dispute Harry's importance. He's
famous, certainly. People goggle at his scar. 

Steph:
Great analysis of Harry and his relative importance/popularity
throughout the books.  I was probably unclear as I meant his
importance to the WW is due to the fact that he's The Boy Who Lived,
then The Chosen One.  I will entirely agree with you that the WW
didn't really know just how important he really was, outside of a
small circle of people who knew of his battles against Voldie.  They
wouldn't realize it until as you put it, they recognized he was "the
one with the power to defeat Voldemort."

Carol: 
More important, IMO, Harry himself learns to appreciate the
contributions of other people, from Neville to Snape, and to share the
Horcrux destruction with Ron and Hermione. (I won't count Crabbe's
accidental contribution.) 

Steph:
It's just my opinion, but perhaps at this point he sees the others,
especially Ron and Hermione, as his equals. While Ron and Hermione are
not going to have to confront Voldie directly, they are willing to
sacrifice themselves to help Harry defeat him and therefore should
have a hand in destroying the pieces of Voldie.

Carol:
In the end, Harry chooses *not* to be "important," relinquishing the
opportunity to gain power and glory by wielding the Elder Wand,
becoming "Just Harry," husband, father, and Auror. (I'll just ignore
the rubbish about Harry's becoming an Auror at seventeen without even
finishing his Hogwarts education or taking three years of Auror
training and becoming head of the Auror office at twenty-seven. It's
not in the books, so it's not canon.)

Steph:
I'm right there with you. I think all three went back to Hogwarts for
their seventh year, finished their N.E.W.T.s, then went on to their
appropriate training courses.  Even though they gained a lot of
experience on the camping trip, they still had a lot to learn.