Will Dumbledore and Harry's relationship change in Book 6?

[Ecthelion]

I see Dumbledore becoming a Grandfatherly figure to Harry and most certianly a mentor of a sort. It is inevitable that for Harry to succeed with mere survival, a companionship of some type must be forged with Dumbledore. Dumbledore holds many of the keys to his answers. He has the knowledge which will help Harry prepare for future battles. He is basically one of the only wizards and witches that can understand the power that Harry possesses...probably because he himself possesses the same or greater amounts...so he can help Harry in that aspect. He holds experience...including fighting another dark evil wizard. He holds information, on Harry's past, future, and on their antagonist, Voldemort.

Dumbledore is a wealth of benifits for Harry just waiting to be tapped into...or rather...tapping onto Harry. Add the fact that Dumbledore deeply cares about Harry, not just Harry-who-can-save-the-world, and you've got an excellent set up for a closer union between the two.

I certainly see a greater respect for each other growing as they bond.

[crazy_megan]

I can see their relationship growing stronger, and I like how Ecthlelion described Dumbledore as becoming a grandfather-type figure for Harry (he's certainly old enough ).

I don't think it will change a lot though, we've already kind of seen Dumbledore as a bit of a mentor to Harry, and he himself described their relationship as being closer than simply headmaster and pupil in OotP.

In other words, I'm not entirely sure of where I'm going with this.

I do think that Dumbledore and Harry will form a stronger relationship though, especially having seen the cover art for HBP. Unfortunately, I also think Voldemort will kill Dumbledore, but I think that is the death that will push Harry over the edge to the point of no return.

I think Harry is definately going to need a father/grandfather figure in his life, especially since Sirius died. Quite possibly Lupin might try to fill the void though but since Dumbledore is physically closer to Harry because he is the headmaster at Hogwarts, he seems a more likely canidate in my mind.

[RemusLupinFan]

I originally posted this on a different thread, but realized that I had really intended it to be for this one.

It will probably take some time for Harry to fully come to terms with Dumbledore's actions and all that Dumbledor has told him. Therefore, I definitely think the relationship between both of them will be redefined. It is certainly true that Harry and Dumbledore's relationship does extend beyond student and Headmaster, I don't necessarily think it will become akin to a grandfather-grandson relationship. While I don't think that Dumbledore ever really treated Harry like a child or like his grandson, he did try to shield Harry from the truth about his future. But he only did so because he loved Harry; he wanted Harry to be happy and for him not to have to think about what he would eventually have to face. In the future, I believe that Dumbledore will learn from his error and concentrate on giving Harry as much information as he can, and I believe Dumbledore will go back to showing that he cares for Harry (though he may have to exercise some subtlety and caution if there is still a risk of Voldemort finding out). So in the end, I think that Dumbledore and Harry's relationship will be redefined such that Dumbledore can care for Harry without trying to shield him from his destiny.

Originally Posted by Firebolt2004

Another thing, I don't think Harry was as upset because Dumbledore kept things from him as he was because he felt Dumbledore was avoiding him and stoppes caring about him. As he repeatedly says in OOtP that the only thing Dumbledore cares about is his scar hurting.

I think you are absolutely correct about this. This seems to be at the heart of why Harry was angry with Dumbledore- it was because of Dumbledore's apparent indifference toward him and the fact that it seemed like he had abandoned him and cut off his relationship with him. Now that Harry understands why Dumbledore had to act this way, I definitely think that Harry will forgive Dumbledore for acting the way he did, and he'll likely forgive Dumbledore for not keeping him informed. I'm hoping the two of them will indeed forge an even stronger relationship in the next book.

[twinsrule26]

Hi in my opinion it will not matter anymore, because Voldemort saw how much Dumbledore cared for Harry in the fight in the MoM . Voldemort wiil be able to put it together, that the relationship between Harry and Dumbledore is closer than teacher & student. So that gives all the more reasons for H & D to get together, and work on studying magic , so Harry has a chance at winning in the end.

[Duvessa]

I think that it'll grow stronger. Dumbledore and Harry are joining forces together that will be as strong as ever. He'll support Harry 100% throughout these next two books, dishing out his usual knowledge and wisdom, which in the end, will make both of them grow closer.

Plus, with Sirius' death, Harry will need someone to comfort him. Dumbledore just may be the man who will. He's always seemed to have a calming effect on Harry.

[Filia Tenebrarum]

I wonder if Dumbledore will see some of Harry's memories of his horrible childhood with the Dursley's and feel sorry for him even more than he already does?

I've always had the impression that due to some kind of low-level Occlumency Dumbledore has always had a pretty good idea of how hard things sometimes (often) are for Harry. I'm not sure that seeing memories of Harry's childhood could increase Dumbledore's concern for Harry's wellbeing.

I don't know if I've missed something here, but I was never under the impression that Harry was holding a grudge against Dumbledore. I assumed he was really angry at the situation (Sirius' death etc, and his feelings of guilt), but I was never under the impression that he was holding any negative feelings against DD. Against Snape, yes, he seems to be blaming him for everything, but not Dumbledore...

I think because there's no explicit reconciliation after Harry's outburst in The Lost Prophecy it's possible to interpret it that Harry still hasn't decided whether to forgive Dumbledore. My own view is that Harry doesn't need to and won't apologise for his anger at Dumbledore, but is not holding a grudge. But I still think that Dumbledore's mistake, and his admission of it, means that he will cease in Harry's eyes to be the omnipotent and numinous figure he is in the earlier books.

they imply that Harry and DD will spend more time together, and that's exactly what I've been hoping for. I really missed their interaction in OotP.

Ditto.

but no one has ever come right out and made a public declaration before.

:nod: And that's especially important for Harry, because he hasn't had the constant familial support which makes something like that implicit.

[Zorro]

I like the idea of Harry and Dumbledore having a grandfather-to-grandson relationship, but alas, I think they have been through to much for such a friendly relationship.

I see Dumbledore treating Harry as more of an equal. Dumbledore has acknowledged that Harry is outstanding with what he has achieved already. I think it is time that Harry was treated with some mutual respect - seen as an equal and not a child who needs to be protected.

Originally Posted by Filia Tenebrarum

I think because there's no explicit reconciliation after Harry's outburst in The Lost Prophecy it's possible to interpret it that Harry still hasn't decided whether to forgive Dumbledore. My own view is that Harry doesn't need to and won't apologise for his anger at Dumbledore, but is not holding a grudge. But I still think that Dumbledore's mistake, and his admission of it, means that he will cease in Harry's eyes to be the omnipotent and numinous figure he is in the earlier books.

I must repeat, however, that I still do not think that Harry is holding a grudge against Dumbledore. Yes, he was hurt from being ignored (DD explained this though), and yes, he was angry in Dumbledores office, but I don't think that he was angry with Dumbledore. He was angry that Sirius had been killed. He blamed Snape for what had happened. Never once in the book did he blame Dumbledore, even though Dumbledore said he was partially responsible for what had happened.
Harry was releasing his pent-up emotions. Dumbledore, being a wise old man will know this, and Harry, having exploded, will be the calmer for it.
This is my understanding of it at least.

Would you please be kind enough to explain to me why you think Harry is furious with Dumbledore?

[Firebolt2004]

Originally Posted by Zorro

I like the idea of Harry and Dumbledore having a grandfather-to-grandson relationship, but alas, I think they have been through to much for such a friendly relationship.

I see Dumbledore treating Harry as more of an equal. Dumbledore has acknowledged that Harry is outstanding with what he has achieved already. I think it is time that Harry was treated with some mutual respect - seen as an equal and not a child who needs to be protected.

I don't know if Harry is ready to be treated as Dumbledore's equal. He's still a wizard-in-training and Dumbledore is the most powerful wizard of his time. I agree that Dumbledore will stop treating him as a child because he has done more than an average adult wizard has, but Harry still needs to learn a lot more magic as well as self discipline and control and Dumbledore will be the best person to teach him.

[LexiBlack]

I sure hope that their relationship will change in this book. Harry basically felt betrayed by Dumbledore in the last book. And I just felt so sorry for him. But I can definitely see where Dumbledore was coming from. Protecting his thoughts from Voldemort was important, but I do think that Dumbledore should have checked up on the Occulmency classes Harry was supposedly taking with Snape.
I just hope that Dumbledore realizes that Harry does need him. And that Harry needs to know that Dumbledore is there for him. Dumbledore did a lot of things wrong in the fifth book in my opinion. I know he thought he was doing everything for the best, but I think if he really had thought about his actions he might have done some things differently. I hope that Dumbledore redeems himself in this book. It wouldn't be hard to do, because it's Dumbledore and after hearing what he had to say to Harry at the end, I did see where he was coming from.
I do think we will see a change in their relationship and I believe it will be for the better. We will find out soon though!

[hgrwfan]

I definitely feel that their relationship will grow closer now that Harry has gotten some things off his chest......broken some of DD possessions......hehehehehehehehehehe

[huckleberry]

I hope so.. they didnt end up last year very nice

[HedwigOwl]

Originally Posted by Zorro

I like the idea of Harry and Dumbledore having a grandfather-to-grandson relationship, but alas, I think they have been through to much for such a friendly relationship.

I see Dumbledore treating Harry as more of an equal. Dumbledore has acknowledged that Harry is outstanding with what he has achieved already. I think it is time that Harry was treated with some mutual respect - seen as an equal and not a child who needs to be protected.

I must repeat, however, that I still do not think that Harry is holding a grudge against Dumbledore. Yes, he was hurt from being ignored (DD explained this though), and yes, he was angry in Dumbledores office, but I don't think that he was angry with Dumbledore. He was angry that Sirius had been killed. He blamed Snape for what had happened. Never once in the book did he blame Dumbledore, even though Dumbledore said he was partially responsible for what had happened.
Harry was releasing his pent-up emotions. Dumbledore, being a wise old man will know this, and Harry, having exploded, will be the calmer for it.
This is my understanding of it at least.

Zorro, I agree with your view, very well thought out. I don't think he's furious with Dumbledore at all. And after Harry's had more time to process everything, he won't even be able to blame Snape (well, most of the time). You could already see at the end of OoP that Harry was spending more time alone, trying to wrap his mind around everything that had happened, as well as the burden of knowing the prophecy. I think DD will begin to treat Harry as more of an equal from this point on.

By the way, the US book cover for HBP seems to confirm this point of view.

[WoodenCoyote]

I think while they could get closer, Dumbledore and Harry will always be a teacher and a student. Dumbledore isn't going to replace James or Sirius as a father figure, or somehow become Harry's 'grandparent'. They're close, but there's too much pain and distance and distrust between them to become one big happy family.

[huckleberry]

Harry was indeed very lucky. He could talk to the headmaster of the school the way he want.

[mazzie]

i deffinately think their relationship will be stronger and hopefully will help in the fight agaist voldemort!

[Siriusly_Addicted]

Originally Posted by WoodenCoyote

I think while they could get closer, Dumbledore and Harry will always be a teacher and a student. Dumbledore isn't going to replace James or Sirius as a father figure, or somehow become Harry's 'grandparent'. They're close, but there's too much pain and distance and distrust between them to become one big happy family.

I agree that Dumbledore won't replace James or Sirius, and I'm not convinced about the Grandfather role, either.

However, I do disagree with the "distrust". I don't think Harry has ever distrusted Dumbledore. Harry has certainly wondered what Dumbledore was up to at times, but he's never suspected him of being untrustworthy. Harry refused to go to Dumbledore about his scar because he thought Dumbledore didn't care, not because he didn't trust Dumbledore with the information. It was emotional pain, not lack of faith in Dumbledore's loyalty or overall intentions toward Harry, that caused Harry's silence.

Yes, there was certainly a lot of pain last year, but Harry isn't stupid and he isn't a child. He will eventually accept everything Dumbledore said and understand his motives. I think they will grow closer this next year. While Dumbledore may not treat Harry as an equal, he will certainly treat him more like an adult, which is really what Harry wants and needs.

[sherri88]

i thought that dumbledore only distanced himself from harry in book 5 was to not let voldermort know that their relationshipwas anyhting more than teacher/student. Oh, and because voldy wanted to possess harry to get to dumbledore and/or the prophecy. But then we learnt that voldy a) can't possess harry because of the thing that harry possess so much of and voldy has none of (my bets on love) and b) vodly dosen't need the prophecy andmore because he know it has smashed.
therefore, i beleive that dumbledore and harry's relationship will grow so much during book six (if this means that DD will die, then so be it). i particularly believe this because we already saw it at the end of OOTP in DD's office at the end.... i dont think ne1 forgets how close they seemed to become during that chapter... i dont think its going to be a "friendly" relationship as such BUUT, i dont think its a teacher/student thing either. there is too much love and trust and support of eachother for that.

[daniel2099]

dd won't protect harry as much as he has been doing
harry will lower the pedestal he has dd on

it will change the qustion is how much

[crookshanks15]

I think there relationship will sort of start being awkward. This is because I do believe D. will give Harry lessons, but I dont think harry will look at him the same and possibly not forgive him. Maybe there may be lots of argueing between them and less corportation from harry.

[omnedon11]

Originally Posted by nivekllerttoc

I dissagree with you there, I think to be succesful at the whole mind branch of magic, you need to have both, one to protect and one to attack. If you don't have one of them, I don't think that the other one is of very much use.

I agree!

I think DD will be the one to teach Harry both Occlumency and Legilimency. Unfortunately, I think this will be the last thing DD does before he dies.