Dumbledore the Godfather

[nitalynx]

No: HPFGUIDX 173804

Debbie wrote:
>
> On the one hand, Dumbledore does seem cold and calculating.  However, he
> knew the prophesy.  He knew that Voldemort would be out to get Harry
from
> the time Harry was a baby.  He knew that Harry would have to face
> Voldemort.  Would you rather DD allow Harry to face Voldemort
without any
> defenses?  Would you rather Harry not have known the prophesy?  That
he be
> treated like any other kid at Hogwarts and, when this really mean Voldy
> tried to smote him, be caught off guard?
> 
<snip>

Nita:

I don't think this is a question of whether DD should have treated
Harry like any other kid. Of course if was right to prepare Harry in
*some* way, but the way DD went about it casts an interesting light on
his personality and methods.

Perhaps the reason why I find him scarier and less likeable than the
Godfather is because DD believes and insists that he's doing the Right
Thing, in the typical Gryffindor fashion. Actually, aren't the
Families of  Italian mafia in "The Godfather" very similar to
Slytherins? They keep to themselves, take care of their own, are
passionate in a  non-heroic way, adhere to their own moral code and
don't care much about the laws of the outside world. And yet, they are
very human and don't seem to be predisposed to genocide (unless it's a
side-effect of a grand vendetta).

I prefer ruthless manipulative leaders to be concerned with actual
people, not abstract ideals, I suppose. They're less dangerous that
way :) What would have happened if DD's sister wasn't killed during
that argument? Would Harry be born into a world where wizards treat
Muggles like cattle "for their own good"?



Nita, now perfectly understanding the people who liked Snape "as a
character, but NOT as a person" pre-DH, and feeling that way about
Dumbledore