What about Harry

[melodypottersnape]

Odd how this one's been skipped.
I love Harry, though I do find him a bit dim.

Like after hpps when I knew I voldy was alive I would have tried to learn everything I could to stand a chance.

He doesn't need to know the prophecy to know that voldy would want him dead just to prove he is still powerful.

He seems to try to coast by with his education. I mean he doesn't need to be Hermione.

though he is powerful (proven with the patronus). what is the use of that power if he doesn't really use anything but the disarm spell and protego.

though I love his character those little things just don't make since to me.

[melodypottersnape]

riku I've put it up

[rikustark]

Hahahaha, I see it!

The only thing that bothered me about Harry was his emoness in book 5. I eventually got over it after thinking about the fact that Harry is a teenager that has way to much pressure on his shoulders, but there were some points that made me want to hit Harry in the head.

[kumainpink]

I love Harry, to be honest. He's a bit of a jerkass sometimes, but he's a genuinely good person. He's made mistakes over the years, but that's better than being perfect in my eyes.

[shinethedown]

I love Harry, great character it was brilliant to read about him and all the burdens he had to bare. However he did need a kick up the a** in OoP.

[moonlightfox143]

I honestly dislike Harry.

He's constantly going on about how terrible that his parents died years ago, When Hello! Neville's right there. His parents were TORTURED into insanity and Harry thinks he can mope for seven years about how Voldemort killed his parents? It's not like he even remembers them or that he only learned of their death when he got to Hogwarts. I mean I understand it would be hard to learn the real way they were killed, but I mean come on! Neville has to see the result of the attack on his parents all the time and you don't see him being all emo about it.
*sigh*
I'm sorry he just frustrates me when it comes to that.

[kumainpink]

If Harry needed a kick in the ass in OotP, Dumbledore needed one too.

I'm sorry, but the man not only kept Harry in the dark, but chose to ignore him completely. Then there is the issue of making Snape his occlumency teacher. I'm sorry, but SNAPE? The guy who held James' actions against Harry? How the fuck does he think that will work? And the damn prophecy was pretty useless! All it says is that Harry has to be the one to kill Voldie... Harry would have done all he could against the snake bastard anyway! But if the prophecy was really so important, Dumbledore should have informed Harry before it.

Did Harry need a kick in the ass? Yes. Was he the only one? No.

[moonlightfox143]

Oh, I agree. Dumbledore did need a kick. So did Molly, Sirius and Snape cause he was purposely awful in the Occlumency lessons

[shinethedown]

Dumbledore is not exempt from said kick up the ass He messed up big time in OoP

[kumainpink]

I think half of Harry's social issues that don't involve slander are due to his childhood. He didn't have friends growing up and was treated with hatred and scorn by his family... so how's he supposed to know how to act? Part of it has to do with being a stupid teenage boy, but I'm honestly surprised that he isn't more socially awkward.

Then there's the whole Cho mess. It's quite obvious that he should have never dated her. Not only was Cho not ready for someone else, but she was Cedric's girl. It just isn't right. He was selfish on this part, but not to the point of being a horrid person.

Cho shouldn't have used Harry as rebound, either, but her part in it was a cry for help. She just lost the boy she loved, and shifted those feelings to Harry. Why didn't her parents get her any help? That's just cruel!

On to the subject of help...

Why didn't anyone see fit to help Harry after all the crap he's been through? He's been physically, mentally and emotionally toyed with by the events of the series and NOT ONCE do we see him getting any kind of therapy. How the hell did Harry keep his sanity?

[shinethedown]

Because hearing about Harry getting therapy wouldn't have made an interesting read, and Cho was a background character, for all we know she did recieve some therapy.

I don't hold it against Harry for his social faux pas, he had a hell of a lot on his plate in OoP and his actions are understandable. But it doesn't mean it was the most enjoyable read . But it added more depth to Harry's character.

[melodypottersnape]

And it cant be said he was unaffected cause either the end of PS or beginning of COS he was having nightmares not to mention the one after Cedric. Though Im surprised none were mentioned after COS or after the dementors. Heck the only time he truly talked about the backlash of dementors was asking Remus if he thought Harry was weak.

[kumainpink]

It's pretty heartbreaking, isn't it?

[melodypottersnape]

I can kinda guess why Jk overloaded Harry with angst in ootp because if he just bounced back all happy after gof then she was making Harry too unrealistic

[kumainpink]

Harry's situation just sends all the wrong messages to kids.

1) If you are abused, don't expect to be helped in any way. Nobody will remove you from your shitty life and nobody cares enough to try.

2) If you watch someone die, nobody will help you cope. Your suffering will not be aided.

3) Verbal abuse is not abuse. Neither is emotional. Neglect isn't that bad and isn't enough to make the adults in your life worry.

4) Speak out against injustice and the entire world will be against you.

Those are just a few that stick out in my mind. But there are many others, to be sure.

[readingwizard4]

Why was it good for Harry to not know of his fame growing up? The Dursley's didn't tell him anything so why was throwing into the deep end over his head a good idea? Unless Dumbledore didn't know that the Dursley's wouldn't tell them. Though why on Earth would Hagrid have to go to some island if the Dursley's told Harry everything? I understand because of the James thing but it was impossible for Harry to get used to it. Harry should have been with someone who got him used to the fame and the wizarding world since he was completely ignorant of it.

[Kitty279]

Jun 14, 2012 19:43:31 GMT -5 kumainpink said:

Harry's situation just sends all the wrong messages to kids.

1) If you are abused, don't expect to be helped in any way. Nobody will remove you from your shitty life and nobody cares enough to try.

2) If you watch someone die, nobody will help you cope. Your suffering will not be aided.

3) Verbal abuse is not abuse. Neither is emotional. Neglect isn't that bad and isn't enough to make the adults in your life worry.

4) Speak out against injustice and the entire world will be against you.

Those are just a few that stick out in my mind. But there are many others, to be sure.

How about:
5) When you have just lost the only parent you ever knew because the leader of the light refused to tell you the truth, then it's the perfect time for said leader to tell you that you are supposed to either die or kill the most dangerous dark lord in existence, because the adults won't even try to do the dirty job themselves or help you.

(still furious about that!)

Jun 14, 2012 20:07:19 GMT -5 readingwizard4 said:

Why was it good for Harry to not know of his fame growing up? The Dursley's didn't tell him anything so why was throwing into the deep end over his head a good idea? Unless Dumbledore didn't know that the Dursley's wouldn't tell them. Though why on Earth would Hagrid have to go to some island if the Dursley's told Harry everything? I understand because of the James thing but it was impossible for Harry to get used to it. Harry should have been with someone who got him used to the fame and the wizarding world since he was completely ignorant of it.

Agreed. While I can see that they didn't want Harry to get too big-headed about his fame, it would have been much better to send him to someone who could help him cope and staying grounded, and prepared him for later. Even if the Dursleys had told him, I doubt they'd be able to really help him, they know next to nothing abuot the wizarding world, so how should they explain anything? It was criminal that Dumbledore not even once checked on Harry! And did he ever consider that the Dursleys might *not* tell Harry anything (or, maybe worship him for what he did?) and how it would feel for the poor boy to be thrown into that hero-worship with next to no warning and no preparation? He meant well, but as my uncle used to say: Well meant is the opposite of well done. So, in the end he made everything much worse for Harry.

[kumainpink]

And what if they DID tell Harry? That would have been worse! I can see them telling Harry that his parents died because of him or something like that and Harry would think himself a bigger freak. I just don't see the Dursleys being sympathetic at all, so maybe it's better they didn't tell him.

*cries for poor little Harry*

And number five is a great addition, Kitty!

[Kitty279]

Ugh, don't even want to think about that. In the end, it comes always down to the same problem: Dumbledore dropping a baby on a doorstep without so much as by-your-leave and then just assuming he has send him to paradise. Just because he expects people to think like he wants them to, they won't do it. One of his most obvious failings. And it doesn't help that he seems to have known very early on that Harry was abused, but thought it perfectly acceptable to keep up these stupid blood wards which in my eyes never worked properly to begin with.

Thanks, Kuma!

Have to run now, going with a friend to a horticultural show!

[kumainpink]

Have fun, Kitty!

[readingwizard4]

Dumbledore assumed that the Dursley's would tell him everything. He puts blind faith in the wrong people. I wish someone could bring that up in a RtB series about how the Dursley's could have said it was Harry's fault Lily and James were dead. Also include how was it a good idea to have Harry live with muggles who were completely ignorant of the Wizarding World? How would Harry cope with that? Since Harry was to be a sacrificial lamb I'm not so sure Dumbledore was too fussed about that. Can someone please have Sirius say all that stuff in a RtB series? Maybe not in front of Harry since he might take it the wrong way or look more into the situation or the Death Eater kids might become too interested in the situation

[kumainpink]

I think I'm going to mention that somewhere... or actually have it happen.

[readingwizard4]

I would write my own story but I prefer reading other peoples stories. I'm not much of a writer. Though if I write on something I like it should go well.

[kumainpink]

I love reading and writing, myself. I really do enjoy seeing how other people change things up.

[dracosfairmaiden]

I love Harry. He's brave and he cares about the people in his life. The problem is that he feels emotions really deeply.

As for Harry's behavior in OOP, I can understand that. He saw a friend die, saw Voldemort get brought back to life, and his friends keep him in the dark. I did get annoyed with him though, with all the shouting he did, but I don't blame him per say.

All in all, I like him.

[melodypottersnape]

I think his point would have gone much better if he hadn't acknowledged them when he got there and told the adults he wouldn't tell them what info they gave him to force them in his shoes.

[kumainpink]

I agree, but that just goes to show you how much better Harry was about it than they were.

[Kitty279]

Jun 15, 2012 9:00:46 GMT -5 readingwizard4 said:

Dumbledore assumed that the Dursley's would tell him everything. He puts blind faith in the wrong people. I wish someone could bring that up in a RtB series about how the Dursley's could have said it was Harry's fault Lily and James were dead. Also include how was it a good idea to have Harry live with muggles who were completely ignorant of the Wizarding World? How would Harry cope with that? Since Harry was to be a sacrificial lamb I'm not so sure Dumbledore was too fussed about that. Can someone please have Sirius say all that stuff in a RtB series? Maybe not in front of Harry since he might take it the wrong way or look more into the situation or the Death Eater kids might become too interested in the situation

Hm ... I am working on CR story with a friend, and we have started with OotP, but there might be a way to include that ... have to think about it. Anything that gives them munition against Dumbledore would be good.

Jun 15, 2012 11:39:45 GMT -5 dracosfairmaiden said:

I love Harry. He's brave and he cares about the people in his life. The problem is that he feels emotions really deeply.

As for Harry's behavior in OOP, I can understand that. He saw a friend die, saw Voldemort get brought back to life, and his friends keep him in the dark. I did get annoyed with him though, with all the shouting he did, but I don't blame him per say.

All in all, I like him.

Same here. His temper annoyed me a bit sometimes, but then I kept telling me that he had every right to be moody. Even normal teenagers can be quite unbearable sometimes, and Harry was not a normal teenager. He had seen Cedric die - and blamed himself after being noble and fair and suggesting they take the cup together. Then he was used in that awful ritual, had all three Unforgivables thrown at him, had to duel Voldemort and escape surrounded by about 30 Death Eaters, then was nearly killed by the fake Moody. After that, the Minister refused to believe it and started a smear campaign, while Harry was sent back to hell with no help whatsoever. Instead, he was kept in the dark and made feel as if his friends had a great time together while he was locked up at Privet Drive.

After that, we have the Dementor attack, he finally got to Grimmauld Place, only to be used as house-elf by Molly and still treated like a five-year-old who can't be burdened with the knowledge that there's a real world outside the door. All these adults can't hear 'Voldemort' without flinching, while he has fought that monster a few times already. He has a right to know - but no, he's such a baby and would be too frightened!

Ok, they wanted to make sure Voldemort didn't get the prophecy. But why on earth did no one ever try to remove that connection? That would have solved the whole problem. But no, Dumbledore wanted his pawn to sacrifice himself because he was so hung up about 'the power he knows not' being love. Stupid! Plus, if Harry had known that Voldemort could turn the connection against him, the DoM disaster would very likely not have happened.

Then we have the hearing, which was a travesty, and Umbitch as teacher, including her cruel detentions and all that toad did. And the vision that saved Arthur's life. Again, Harry was left alone by all the adults. No one bothered to talk to him, to explain, he was left alone with guilt and worry. Molly always thinks he needs coddling, but the one time when he would have need someone, it's so much better to keep him in the dark, and besides, Dumbledore said so.

And don't get me started on these Occlumency lessons. Snape 'taught' just like in Potions - no explanations, just a 'clear your mind' (how??), but baiting him enough to make sure he couldn't. For me that was more mind-rape than teaching Occlumency. And Hermione was telling him that Snape did it right. Yeah. I wish she'd have gotten lessons, too! Maybe then she'd noticed how he taught.

No, I can't say I blame Harry for being moody and hot-tempered. He went through way too much in such a short time and no one really did anything to help him.

And in the end, when he was beyond distraught after losing Sirius, Dumbledore decided it was the perfect time to tell him what he had refused to tell him since first year and dropped that bombshell on him. Honestly, in Harry's place I'd probably have lost it completely after that!

[kumainpink]

I've said this before and I'll say it again.

It's a miracle Harry is sane.

[Kitty279]

It is. Couldn't agree more. Hat off!