What Dumbledore "believes" (was Re: What Harry "knows")

[Karina Aleksandrova]

No: HPFGUIDX 169910

Julie wrote:

> The first example of this from Dumbledore was in PS/SS--"I do 
> *believe* he (Snape) worked so hard to protect you this year because 
> he felt that would make him and your father even." 

<snip>
 
> Besides these two "beliefs" Dumbledore relates to answer Harry's 
> probing questions (both not so strangely referring to the most 
> enigmatic character in the books) [...]

Karina:

What was the second "belief"? I keep re-reading your message, and the
belief concerning why Snape was working to protect Harry is the only
one I saw.

> are there any other instances 
> where Dumbledore uses "I believe..." to preface a requested 
> explanation, especially when that request comes from Harry? I.e., 
> other instances where Dumbledore gives an answer that while likely 
> true, is NOT the whole story or perhaps not even the most important 
> element of the story?

Karina:

Perhaps this explation of why Harry's scar hurts, which Dumbledore
gives to Fudge in GoF, may be what you are looking for:

"Harry is as sane as you or I. That scar upon his forehead has not
addled his brains. I believe it hurts him when Lord Voldemort is close
by, or feeling particularly murderous."

Perhaps Dumbledore didn't want to expand on the topic in front of
Fudge. And then the scar and the Harry's ability to feel what
Voldemort is feeling through it has become important in HBP.

Primarily, when Dumbledore uses phrase "I believe", he's talking about
actual facts, like Fred and George trying to send Harry a toilet seat,
or the number of forbidden by Filch objects... 

Karina