Warriors (was: The problems with DD being gay)

[lizzyben04]

No: HPFGUIDX 178338

> > lizzyben:
<snip>
> > However DD eventually defeated GG, I don't think it involved a 
duel.

Panhandle:
> Draco managed it with a simple Expelliarmus.  I can't help but 
think that
> Dumbledore couldn't figure something out.

lizzyben:

I'm sure DD figured something out & I'd bet it has to do with a 
sneaky plan rather than a full-out duel.

allthecoolnamesgone:

It is a very interesting suggestion that there was in fact, no duel.
If that is the case then it becomes in some ways an earlier version
of Harry's walk into the Forest to confront Voldemort. Did Dumbledore
go to Gellert and just say 'This has to stop and I am here to stop
you. You have the Elder Wand so a duel will result in my death. Is
that what you want?' It does strike me as a very Dumbledorean scene
and would fit in with his idea that love and the sacrifice it often
entails, is in the end the only way to defeat evil. The rest of the
WW without the knowledge that Gellert loved/had loved Dumbledore
would have assumed that he had defeated him by Power and skill alone.

lizzyben:

Yes, that's one scenario & it would help support DD's faith in the 
power of love. I could imagine GG actually breaking down & giving 
up, or finally feeling remorse at that moment. Less idealistically, 
I could also see Doubleagent!DD initially posing as a supporter or 
just an old friend to arrange a meeting w/GG, then capturing GG 
instead.

allthecoolnamesgone:
This would also add a reason to Dumbledore's refusal to accept the
post of Minister for Magic. It was offered by those who wanted the
powerful vanquisher of Grindlewald in charge, when Dumbledore knew
that he had not defeated him by use of 'power' at all.

lizzyben:
 
It would also add to DD's inner insecurity - here he is, revered as 
the defeater of GG, & only he knows that he was actually in love 
w/GG, collaborated w/GG, waited 50 years to fight him for personal 
reasons, and then didn't actually defeat him in a duel at all. He 
would feel like a fraud, IMO he did feel like a fraud in some ways. 
DD knew his own real character & knew that he was not the figure 
of "goodness & light" that the wizarding world believed - I think 
this is part of the reason that he was so impressed with Harry, who 
actually was the noble vanquisher of Dark Wizards that DD pretended 
to be. 


k12listmomma:
> Before, the series was about Harry Potter, and not
> about
> anyone's sexuality. By making Dumbledore gay now, she has made this
> work
> about sexuality, and that does change things.

lizzyben:

I really don't understand how that's the case, anymore than having 
Snape in love w/Lily, or Harry marry Ginny, makes the work about 
sexuality. The DD revelation might've been too little, too late & DD 
might not be a great role model for a gay character, but I'm still 
glad that JKR revealed this information. It should've been in the 
books, but this is better than nothing. And judging by the backlash 
it's inspired, this is still highly controversial. Other YA series 
have homosexual characters, so I don't see why Harry Potter should 
be any different. It's one area in which I feel JKR is living up to 
her claim of promoting "tolerance".