Did Dumbledore Let Harry Go fter Quirrel?

[Weasleyfanforever]

"Well, I got back all right," said Hermione. "I brought Ron round -- that took a while -- and we were dashing up to the owlery to contact Dumbledore when we met him in the entrance hall -- he already knew -- he just said, 'Harry's gone after him, hasn't he?' and hurtled off to the third floor."
"D'you think he meant you to do it?" said Ron. "Sending you your father's cloak and everything?"
"Well, " Hermione exploded, "if he did -- I mean to say that's terrible -- you could have been killed."
"No, it isn't," said Harry thoughtfully. "He's a funny man, Dumbledore. I think he sort of wanted to give me a chance. I think he knows more or less everything that goes on here, you know. I reckon he had a pretty good idea we were going to try, and instead of stopping us, he just taught us enough to help. I don't think it was an accident he let me find out how the mirror worked. It's almost like he thought I had the right to face Voldemort if I could...."

Wow! Well, I am wondering if Dumbledore knew, and if he did, for who's benefit was it that he let Harry fight Quirrell/Voldemort? Could he have been trying to gauge Harry's ability to act and react in the situation? Why did he let Harry get almost killed if he knew?

[Kingsley]

I think at this time Dumbledore knew Harry couldnt be touched---but the AK curse could have been performed--then again Harry couldnt die unless it was the hands of Voldemort so Quirrell would have been harmless--

Yeah Dumbledore definitely knew about it because he seems to have been pulling Harry's strings long before that :cool:

[Nagini]

Nice pick up Weezy! :)

This fits in so well with other theories about Dumbledore and also the way he acts towards Harry. What Headmaster in their right minds would allow an 11 year old boy go to fight someone who he either knew was working for Voldemort or was possessed by Voldemort.

Harry had not even finished his first year of magic so Dumbledore must have been pretty happy that Harry was going to be okay. Yet Harry nearly died or that is the impression we are given from the book anyway.

Does this seem to anyone else that Dumbledore could be using time to see how event plan out and going back again to allow them to happen or to change them?

[Tinkerbell]

Does this seem to anyone else that Dumbledore could be using time to see how event plan out and going back again to allow them to happen or to change them?

I like this idea Gini, a lot!! I also wonder whether this time thing here has got something to do with the prophecy? That Dumbledore knows that Harry will eventually have to defeat Voldemort (or die at his hands) and wanted Harry to have a 'practice' run almost?

I do like your thinking on the time thing tho Gini!

[Nagini]

Well it would make sense on a lot of levels within the books. Dumbledore is always letting Harry run around getting into danger and Harry has come up against Voldemort four times now. Its almost as if he is in training - the more he has to face him the more he learns about his apponent and Dumbledore is happily filling in Harry on Voldemorts weaknesses.

[Jenelle]

Dont forget about in GoF when DD didnt know that Harry had been taken to the graveyard-he was alarmed.....he hadent planned for that one and was a little nervous about Harry being there by himself. I think that DD let him do the other trials because he knew that he could always step in and help him-like at the MoM. DD knew that he couldnt go there and help Harry if he needed it.

[Alz]

Great pickup!

Yah, I have to agree - Dumbledore was trying to expose Harry to the battles that would become his young life early on ...
I think he did it in a manner he was in control and could have stepped in at any point - but had to let Harry know from the off what he was up against.
This would have prepared Harry an enormous amount - he was aware of a real threat and he also had a semi sucess in dealing with it ... because of that he emerged a stronger person ...
I think Dumbledore's intentions was to see how good a wizard Harry could be - raw and on his own - what could he do ... like a gauge of his abilities and where to develop ...

[Tinkerbell]

Well it would make sense on a lot of levels within the books. Dumbledore is always letting Harry run around getting into danger and Harry has come up against Voldemort four times now. Its almost as if he is in training - the more he has to face him the more he learns about his apponent and Dumbledore is happily filling in Harry on Voldemorts weaknesses.

Absolutely - It's my belief that, in line with the prophecy, Dumbledore knows what it is that will defeat Voldemort and is, as you put it, training Harry for the ultimate battle. I also feel that it is actually Dumbledore who will defeat Voldemort, using Harry as a weapon, if you like!!

[Aurora]

I think this could be viewed in two different lights. Depends on your view of Dumbeldore and what his ultimate intentions are. For me I'd like to stick with the view that Dumbeldore is good and wants only the best of Harry (mind you I could be wrong ;))

With that in mind. I dont think Dumbeldore knew for certain that Harry would or would not go after Voldemort. I think he acted on the bit he did know, the propecy and his observations on Harry to deduce likely outcomes and make sure that Harry was equipped with not only the proper weaponry but also with the proper knowledge. I don't think Dumbeldore every actually pushed or intended for Harry to fight Voldemort, at least not at this stage, but he knew that should it happen Harry would need to be ready. He knows that there will eventually be a show down betwen Harry and Voldemort, its been fortold and he cannot stop it. However he can do everything in his power to delay the inevitable and make sure Harry gains as much knowledge and experience to give him the best chance of defeating Voldemort.

Okay did that make sense to anyone, cause even I am cross eyed now :P