more harry thoughts

Jill said...

Do you think it's possible that Dumbledore asked Snape to kill him if things got too bad? Because remember when Harry said, "I'll take you to Madame Pomfrey" (or whatever her name is) and Dumbledore said, "No, take me to Severus." So maybe they had some sort of deal? I hate to think that Snape is really super evil and Dumbledore was wrong to trust him. Also, maybe that's why Snape wouldn't let Harry do the really bad spells--he was protecting Harry from doing something awful at Dumbledore's request? I don't know for real, but I'm hopeful...

So Ilana and I have been discussingthis a bit, and here is what we came up with:

ILANA (10:54:18 PM): so you think it was merely important that Dumbledore always held trust and beleived in good
WarpdNTime (10:54:41 PM): i don'tknow....
WarpdNTime (10:54:52 PM): maybe its to show harry that even dumbledore isn't all knowing
ILANA (10:55:39 PM): I'm sure that was part of it
WarpdNTime (10:56:09 PM): like, at some point, harry has to believe in himself, and trust his own gut instincts
WarpdNTime (10:56:30 PM): even when those he trusts are telling him otherwise
WarpdNTime (10:56:36 PM): in teh end, trust no one but yourself

Ilana also thinks that that is why Dumbledore started to encourage Harry to confide in Ron and Hermione - even if they're fallible, Harry needs to be able to trust someone.

There has also been some discussion about whether or not Harry is going to die. She very nicely illustrated this point here:

ILANA (11:05:21 PM): i think you should explain how i think Harry Potter has to die at the end of book 7
ILANA(11:05:23 PM): :-)
ILANA(11:05:29 PM): first of all, he and Voldemort are inextricably linked
ILANA(11:05:34 PM): secondly, he might be a horecrux
ILANA(11:06:08 PM): thirdly, in all the legends she cribs from, the hero suffers a fatal wound in the last great battle and sort of fades from existence...King Arthur sails off to Avalon, Frodo goes off to the undying lands, etc
ILANA (11:06:31 PM): all are physcially or psychologically wounded beyond repair
ILANA(11:06:38 PM): i feel like Harry has to play out the same way
ILANA(11:08:42 PM): i was wondering about "beyond the veil'
ILANA(11:08:45 PM): from book 6 as well
ILANA(11:08:51 PM): i mean book 5
ILANA(11:09:10 PM): Luna alludes to it at the end of 5 also, she says they're never really dead, and they talk about the voices

All of these are totally valid points,b ut i kind of feel like is not going to happen. First of all, it would be way too disappointing for everyone. Secondly, I think that Harry Potter is really a story of good versus evil, and Harry must live for good to fully triumph. The prophecy does leave it open for both to die, but I just don't think it will happen. I think I can see Harry having some sort of battle scar (something bigger than a lightening scar on his forehead - a limp or something) but he will live... and become the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts.

Ilana also says that Peter Pettigrew has to have an important role in the next book, as he is indebted to Harry for saving his life, and must find a way to repay that debt. I agree with this.

My cousin Michelle had this to offer:

MICHELLE(10:45:50 PM): I know someone who thinks that it's really Neville and Voldemort is using Harry as a decoy

We both disagree with this statement. Even if there was a time when it could have been Neville, I think that Dumbledore was correct in saying htat when Voldemort was unable to kill Harry, the prophecy was set to mean Harry. Nonetheless, Neville will have his time to shine... and it will be glorious... but not as glorious as when Harry defeats Voldemort.