Removing the Scar...

[Weasleyfanforever]

In PS/SS, Chapter 1, McGonagal asks Dumbledore if there is anything he could do about Harry's scar and he replies that “even IF I could, I wouldn’t." This is just a cut on his head, that presumably, Madam Pomfrey could heal. But what is so different about this specific cut, that it has to be a scar, that not even Dumbledore can fix it? Also, Dumbledore says that scars come in handy. There are a number of times that Harry's scar has alerted him to Voldemort's movements or whereabouts. Could this be foreshadowing to the fact that Harry’s scar often alerts him to what Voldemort is feeling, or does Dumbledore actually know that this connection exists already, and is he speaking about it specifically? The scar seems to be an actual mental connection between the two, Perhaps this is one of the reasons that Dumbledore couldn’t rid Harry of the scar, because it has something to do with the mental connection that Harry and Voldemort share, and it would harm Harry somehow…

[Alz]

Excusing the pun - I think it would run a little deeper ...

Each time Harry see's the scar - he is reminded of it all ...
It is like he can not escape it - like someone is making sure he doesnt become complacent ..
I also think that will Harry still loves, thinks and misses his Parents so much - the charm that his Mother made for him on her last breath still runs strong and powerful ... it's like while something is remembered it will always be alive ...

While Harry would never forget all the things in his past - he could start to push them back and not have them so prominant - so having this very open physical mark makes others notice and look at him - he knows what they are staring at - and once again in his mind he is reminded ...

Just a few intial thoughts ;)

[Tinkerbell]

The link he has with Voldemort through his scar is also, I think, important, that it does give him prior warning of Voldemort's intentions and gives Harry a little time to prepare for what may come.

If Dumbledore was able to remove the scar, perhaps he feels that by doing so would deprive Harry of this advantage?

Also, going off a little, why hasn't he removed the scar on his own knee!?

[Nagini]

It is interesting that a wizard as powerful as Dumbledore cannot remove the scar, but as he says he doesn't want to. Which makes me think he does know exactly how useful that scar was going to be and how useful it will become in the future. This could be from experience if the scar on his knee is a curse scar.

I am wondering if the placement of the scar is important though? We know the shape isn't supposed to be that important but it is placed on Harry's forehead and Harry has visions of what Voldemort is up to - which could be linked to where the scar is placed.

[Boing]

That is very interesting about the placement of the scar and I hadn't ever thought about what would have happened had the scar been on Harry's arm or something . . .

would he have been able to read into Voldemort's mind and vice versa?

The placement on his head is interesting as well as that is where the reasoning and emotion centers are . . .

In other thoughts, I think Dumbledore had the idea then that there would be a reason to keep the scar around, whatever his motives might have been.

This thread has me thinking, though. Why *is* the scar on Harry's head? Did Harry's mom die first or second?? What if she held Harry up to Voldemort and the scar went right off his head?

Or, what if Lily did die first, but Voldemort somehow knew that he would need the scar to be on Harry's head?

[Alz]

This was somewhat answered - confused and then re-answered later on by JKR with regards to the wand shadows in GoF - and this seems to confirm that all is in place for who died first ... but not after a publisher hiccup that had them reversed for a while :p

I wonder if Lily intended for the scar to be there as part of the sacrifice - so it also migh help Harry as he lived on?
He would be aware when Voldemort returned etc .. perhaps she knew that my marking Harry it would mean he always had something to protect him - because he can sense Voldemort via it ...
I mean - it is plausible that Harry can return the favour on Voldemort and send some images back to him one day ... it is only his niavity and youth that up till OoTP meant this was a tool for Voldemort ...
The location works for many ways - it means everyone can see it - means it is mental and also on the part of the body that stores these things ...

[Boing]

This was somewhat answered - confused and then re-answered later on by JKR with regards to the wand shadows in GoF - and this seems to confirm that all is in place for who died first ... but not after a publisher hiccup that had them reversed for a while :p



What I meant by my post was whether or not Lily died before Harry got the curse. We know Voldemort's wand was used, but we might not know who used it . . . sorry it wasn't clear . . . :o

In truth, I do think that Lily died and then Harry was cursed because that's the sacrifice she made for him . . . I think it was just an interesting coincidence that the scar ended up on Harry's forehead and now there is that link.

[Alz]

Wait you have a point there ...
I was under the impression that Lily was killed and then Voldemort turned to kill Harry - set the curse and voila - we have what we know ...
But - as you said - what if the killing of her was the spell that zapped both Harry and Voldemort?
I know it seems a little obscure but I wonder if that is why we never saw Voldemort's wand shadow?
I know Voldemort didnt die as such but there must have been a shadow of that curse?
When priori incantem was cast in the start of GoF - we saw the dark mark so not like it is used to just show killings!
I think this is a thread on it's own!

Sorry back on target - removing the scar ...

[Weasleyfanforever]

I am wondering if Dumbledore knows already at this point, of the mental connection between Harry. I, personally, am of the impression that this connection has gone on longer than before Harry started at Hogwarts. I think that the reason that Harry has dreams of the "bright green light", which is mentioned a couple of times in PS/SS is because Voldemort, as the spirit is having the dreams. Harry would have been only a year old, so not sure that he would really remember it at all, but Voldemort would, and I think that is why Harry sees is when he dreams.

Anyways, could Dumbledore have known at the time that a mental connection existed, and that it may come in useful? Could it be that the scar can not be removed until Voldemort dies, because it could do something to Harry?

[Alz]

As much as Dumbledore might have suspected the scar could be a curse - I think he also saw it might give him an insight into Voldemort's mind ..
Dumbledore I think had a difficult call to make and decided on the greater good maybe?
I think if his scar has any significance - he would apply the same logic to Harry's ...
I think even he must have thought it was strange to have the scar on Harry's head post attack and wanted to wait and see what it was really all about ...
I suppose you could look at that in 2 ways - a trade off between the damage it might cause Harry versus a possible 'weapon' against Voldemort ... ;)