God for Harry, England, and a Sandwich

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 178861

--- "sistermagpie" <sistermagpie at ...> wrote:
>
> ....
> 
> Magpie:
> I don't feel bitter--and I wasn't meaning to be sarcastic. 
> ... I... wasn't really invested in them being freed but 
> never thought Harry would end owning one. I've no doubt that
> last sentence isn't supposed to be about Harry owning a slave
> but for me at least that's what it says louder than anything
> else.  ...edited...

bboyminn:

OK, now I get it. Actually, I think I might have been
projecting a lot of the general tone of the discussion onto 
your post, which was somewhat unfair of me. But this time, I
think you have explained yourself very well. 

Sadly, I'm cutting much of your excellent post, just to 
touch on a couple of minor points.

> 
> Steve:
> 
> > I will concede that IF Harry DID ask Kreacher then he was
> > probably not being very sensitive. Further, if Harry did
> > ask, I certainly don't think it would have been in the form
> > of 'Kreacher I order you to bring me a sandwich', knowing
> > Harry, it would have more likely been, 'Kreacher, if you 
> > can, would you bring me a sandwich when it's convenient'. 
> 
> Magpie:
> This just seems like an odd reading to me. First, the text 
> doesn't seem to indicate that Harry or the narrator would 
> consider it insensitive for Harry to ask Kreacher for a 
> sandwich. ...
> 

bboyminn:

We know what Harry thought in that moment, but we don't
know what he thought in the NEXT moment. I suspect he was,
in his mind, going through possible ways to get himself a
sandwich. Kreacher was one choice. One that I suspect he
discounted. Another choice was to send someone to the
kitchens and have them request that a sandwich be sent up.
But again, everyone has just been though a traumatic battle,
and I suspect Harry will conclude that asking anyone for
a sandwich in that moment would be insensitive. Therefore,
I conclude, he will forget it for the moment and leave it
until later. Pure speculation, but it seems consistent
with what Harry would do.

I think in a sense that ending was a reflection of Harry's
relief at the outcome. No more sweat, no more fear, no
more worries, Voldemort is dead and gone for good. So, 
Harry's mind turns to the more mundane and normal aspect of
life like sleep and a sandwich. 'I'm not a dark wizard 
fighter, I'm just a kid who's tired and hungry.' For the
first time in a long time, Harry is at peace. I think this
is the sense that JKR was trying to portray. Though certainly
everyone is free to interpret it as they wish.

> ...snip several good points...
> 
> > bboyminn:
> > 
> > I see no problem with Harry 'owning' Kreacher /BECAUSE/ I
> > feel confident that Harry will face it and deal with it. 
> 
> Magpie:
> I'm asking what that means--just because it seems like he's
> already doing that. ... Do you mean Harry just will be a 
> responsible owner?
> 

bboyminn:

At the moment Harry is dealing with Kreacher the best he can.
But I don't think Harry believe that how he deals with it
now is the best way to deal with Kreacher in the future. 
Though admittedly they have, more or less, patched up
their relationship. 

So, what I am trying to say is that I trust that Harry will
find the best way possible to deal with Kreacher in the long
run. I gave several suggestions. But Kreacher is, I feel, a 
unique case; if, after Kreacher is gone, Harry decides to 
employ new house-elves, I think he will from the very start
set fair and reasonable ground rules to protect the elves and
insure their welfare and well being.

You made some good points, thanks for the reply.

Steve/bboyminn