Cryptic dialogue?

[Mollywobbles]

I need the help of all you highly intelligent people!! I am currently on my third re-read of HBP and something has jumped out at me. Naturally, I'm keen to see if anyone else sees something here or if it is just me...:o

In Chapter 4, pgs. 57-58 of the US Version, as Dumbledore and Harry are leaving Privet Drive, Dumbledore says to Harry, " If there is an attack, I give you permission to use any counterjinx or curse that might occur to you. However, I do not think you need to worry about being attacked tonight." To which Harry asks, "Why not, sir?" Dumbledore's reply is simply, "You are with me." Then, in Chapter 26 when Harry is helping the greatly weakened Dumbledore back out of the cave, Harry is giving numerous reassurances that everything will be alright to which Dumbledore replies, "I am not worried, Harry.... "I am with you."

Now, I don't know about anyone else, but this strikes me as a really huge and powerful statement for Dumbledore to make! We do know that Dumbledore thinks alot of young Harry, but WOW!!

I guess this could just be a sentimental moment, but I have a feeling Dumbledore is saying something without really saying it. Consider the fact that throughout the series, everyone is always saying that as long as Dumbledore is around, there is no need to worry and now Dumbledore, the greatest wizard of the time, is making this same kind of statement about Harry.

I also find it interesting that these statements are made at the beginning of Dumbledore and Harry's adventures in HBP and at the end of their last adventure together...at least, as far as we know!;)

So, I guess the question is... is the second statement("I am with you.") just there for sentimental value, is Dumbledore simply acknowledging that Harry is now ready for road that lies ahead, or is he saying much, much more?

Alright .... discuss!!!

[Tom the Bar Man]

I agree that this is a very powerful statement, even if it isn't deeper than it appears, it is an overwhelmingly gripping statement. I believe that DD was just trying to get Harry to realize that he is a great wizard, that he is always okay almost simply because of what makes him Harry Potter.

[George]

Yes, I agree with Tom the Bar Man!
I think that it is also JKR giving us a bit of a poetic device through the reversal of reference of dialogue by Dumbledore. At the start of the book, he still held an air of superiority and was clearly more powerful, telling Harry "you are with me". However, to complete the metamorphosis Harry had undergone in the book, Dumbledore outlines his immense trust in Harry's powers, by telling him that he is not worried, as he is with him. It is making use of the power of speech, and, I think, little more. It's Dumbledore getting as close as he ever will to saying: "I love you."

[Alz]

You know what - I am in agreement as well - yeah that's right!
George's closing point hits the nail on the head - that was Dumbledore giving Harry the biggest respect in the world - and I am sure Harry caught it as well ...
When someone who you look at as being so influential, powerful and great tells you previously you are safe because you are with them - you feel very assured ...
When that person you respect so much returns it back and reverses it - it would make you look at all the great things you see in them and think - heck he thinks the same about me!
Now that is what we call a 'big up' - for Dumbledore to openly proclaim he felt safe because he was with Harry was akin to him passing that torch of power from the teacher to the student - another indicator that what follows was all part of a bigger plan maybe?

[Seeker615]

Well said Alz!

I noticed this during my first read-through and yes I took it as Dumbledore had great faith in Harry and felt that Harry- when he really needs to - can get the job done and he trusts him to do it.

It was almost like Dumbledore gave his okay and let Harry know he is capable of doing what he needs to do.

[Mollywobbles]

Yes! This is exactly what I was hoping would be the consensus of others. :)

I have had the feeling that one (and perhaps the only) reason that Dumbledore asked Harry to accompany him to the cave was to test him to see if he possessed the fortitude needed to see this task to the end, no matter how frightened he might be throughout the process. I totally agree with the statement that you made Alz...passing the torch. Only, I think it more appropriate, perhaps, to view it as one great wizard who defeated a dark lord passing the torch to another great wizard, whom he knows, will defeat Voldemort.

[Alz]

See I saw the cave slightly differently - it was more like a big, final training session testing Harry and educating Harry on how hard the task will be ... He was tested magically, physically and emotionally and I believe that it was done on purpose.

I still believe Dumbledore was told by Snape straight after the unbreakable vow that he would have to die - and he spent the whole of that book getting ready for the big off and what is more - spent the time making sure Harry was ready for the moment and left him with as much information as he could easily tell him.
But what is more - Dumbledore knows what Harry is going to face and he is closer to Harry than anyone else - while he can keep his emotions under check, I think this was a moment of weakness and I am pretty sure Harry would have got what Dumbledore was saying ... you da man now Harry!

[Flyboy]

I had never noticed Dumbledore's statement before. But it has always struck me in this chapter how vunerable Dumbledore became. He almost reverted to child-like weakness. So he was obviously aware of the power Harry had within him to make that statement.

[Sirius Potter Fan]

It is soooo nice to see so many of us in agreement here! And Alz . . . I also agree that Dumbledore spent most of that time he was always away from the school, preparing instructions, lessons, information, etc. for Harry to discover afterward. Of all people, Dumbledore would be the type to make very certain that everyting was in place before he died . . . (even if I'm not quite sure he did die) I thought that reversed statement was the perfect passing of the torch.

[Alz]

..The well organised mind and no fear of death - that was a Dumbledore statement and also so Dumbledore - if there was anything he could leave Harry that he couldn't tell him face to face - he would!
And yea - I think there are things Dumbledore couldn't tell Harry to his face - like the reason he trusts Snape - I mean he went white when Harry confronted him about it - that isn't something Dumbledore could tell him - oOoOHhh I so hope it is DiE related :D

But all the same - I think there are things Harry needs to learn about Dumbledore and I am sure he left all the pieces of the puzzle there so Harry could find them!

[Rubeus]

All i can say is................Godric Hollow is the key.Search first where your life story begins and find the truth.

[Alz]

Totally agree - I am totally into Ouroboros theory - so a return to the start would fit in just nicely no?
Everything that has a beginning has an end ... opps Star Wars again ..

[cagedcactus]

The day I finished reading book 6, I was just dumbstruck. What in the world is Harry going to do now? If he cant even finish a curse against Snape, let alone actually hitting him with one, Voldemort is going to eat him alive without DD.
So yes, DD says he is not scared because he is with Harry, it has to mean something. Either DD is not dead, or the power that Dark Lord knows not, is being written thoroughly by JKR.... :D

[Alz]

OK, you need to finish your move through the 5 stages dude - to quote JKR, the dude is dead ...

Given what was about to transpire, and I am pretty sure Dumbledore knew that this was the moment - if the potion didn't kill him then Draco would, by saying this to Harry it was like saying you are now the man Harry - I protected you all these years and now I think you are strong enough to protect me ... I think it was more meant to be insightful than a clue to something else - but then again it is all in the readers interpretations right :p

[Buckbeak88]

I noticed this my first time through the book. I think it is symbolic of Dumbledore letting Harry know that he is ready to take on Lord Voldemort himself.

[secret seeker]

We can be pretty certain that Harry will, at some point, return to Hogwarts to seek advice and help. Who knows if Harry will try to speak to Albus's portrait, or, what Dumbledore may impart to him. Personally I find it hard to believe that Jo would have added about the "pheonix flying joyfully into the blue" (flames) if it wasnt significant. Everyone knows Pheonix's are associated with rebirth, and it just seems too much of a coincedence that it happened at Dumbledores funeral. Seeing as Fawkes cannot die, how old is the bird?, and is it still alive?, OR has it sacrificed itself to renew Dumbledore?

[Ravenclaw]

Is there the slightest possibility that (much like when Voldemore tried to kill baby Harry and transferred many of his powers to him instead) Dumbledore has been transferring HIS powers to Harry in preparation for the death he knows is coming?

[Alz]

I think it stands testiment to what it was - at the start of HBP Dumbledore was very much the master and teacher - at the end of the book we see a Dumbledore humbled and on the edge of life - he knew the end was nigh ....
His comments would have set Harry's self esteem levels to maximum and maybe give him a sense of confidence that now he was able to help the one man that lead him for such a long time ...

[nymphadora]

I think everyone has a good point. Dumbldore was obviously at his weakest moment and he was both putting his trust in Harry's powers and also giving him confidence to let him know that he will be able to go if he were to die. I don't believe that at this point he feels that he will die, I think that Dumbledore thought that if they could just get back to the castle and have Snape help him recover that he would not die from the potion. I also believe that at that moment Dumbledore did not expect Draco to succeed in bringing the death eaters into the school (and why did Draco need to bring the death eaters in? It wasn't as though they were the ones that would be able to kill Dumbledore. Anyway, that's another discussion that doesn't belong here!) so in his already weakened state Dumbledore tried to stop Draco, and froze Harry because he didn't want Harry to get in the middle of it. Oh wow, that went a little bit off topic, didn't it? Umm. Yes, so Dumbledore had complete trust in Harry's abilities to get them back safely to Hogsmede.

[Alz]

I disagree, Dumbledore knew he was going to die - the potion saw to that ... when they arrived back and saw the Dark Mark - it gave him the extra kick he needed to make a final stand, to protect his school and the students inside.
Dumbledore knew from the start of the school year he wouldnt be alive a year later - the news from Snape told him one way or another he would have to die, hence why he didnt think twice on drinking the potion ...

[Meagan091484]

There are so many good points made here. I believe that in saying that he is safe with Harry, Dumbledore is emotionally giving him the power of reinforcment. And although Harry is not fully trained, desperation and determination make for a powerful incentive to learn more. With DD knowing his life was coming to an end, he made sure Harry had a reason to go on without him. All the lessons may have been a little advanced for Harry, but DD knew that Harry had to know what to do. Harry has allies in the OoTP that will probably help him in the future. From teaching him more complicated spells to having his back in a fight, the OoTP leaves Harry somewhat protected still.



As for Voldy taking up occupance in the CoS, I have weighed the Pro's and Con's;

Con: Some of his magic will be restricted. He wouldn't want to have to exit the CoS just to Disapparate to get his DE's messages. It is too big of a risk to be seen coming and going. He would have very little freedom, and we all know that he doesn't like being held back.

Pro: Being Slytherins last heir, it would be a place of power for him. It is kinda his birthrite. Another possibility is that he could breed another basilisk, though that would prove difficult. And now residing in DD former powerhouse would just be the icing on the cake!

Sorry, went of a little didn't I?!?!

[secret seeker]

I still think that dumbledore suspected he may die, but I doubt he could have known. Alz is probaly right...where did d.d. go when he was absent from the school...he cant just have been searching for horcruxes, I think he left instructions or helpful advice/ directions for Harry on the off chance he keeled over. And Im sure if Dumbledore felt his days were at an end he would have left more help for Harry, just in case he did die, maybe info on Horcruxes or something else?. Can we expect a letter to Harry from Dumbledore at godrics hollow?.

[Glumbumble]

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.