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Much that has been hidden in the series to date is now revealed. First and foremost is the Prophecy; this one item explains why Voldemort has singled Harry out as his main target. It also explains why Harry is the hero in this series; if the Prophecy is true, and the Wizards generally believe it is, then Harry alone can defeat the Dark Lord, and the Wizarding world's sole hope rests with him. We also see Dumbledore's love for Harry, his fear for what would happen if Harry learned too soon about the burden the prophecy has placed on him, and to some small extent the efforts that Dumbledore has made to protect Harry and, as much as possible, nurture him.
These things, of course, have affected the course of the entire series to date, and likely will affect also the final two books. We also learn exactly why Dumbledore had acted aloof towards Harry, and why he had wanted Harry to learn Occlumency. Additionally, we learn that Snape had acted correctly when warned by Harry. This seems to reinforce Dumbledore's opinion of, and trust in, Snape. Harry, however, believes that Snape had somehow engineered matters such that Sirius had died, and he cannot be dissuaded ofto thisbelieve beliefotherwise. Examining what Dumbledore tells ussays, and the sequence of events, we can see that Snape believed Sirius to bewas safe at home in Grimmauld Place. It is unknown whether Snape goaded Sirius into going to the Ministry, or whether Sirius went entirely of his own volition; Dumbledore believes it was entirelyonly his ownSirius' decision, but Harry, if he chooses to contemplate this, refuses to believe this. However, considering Sirius' impulsive nature, his pent up frustration over being confined and feeling useless, as well as his paternal need to protect his godson at allany cost, doesit notseems believeunlikely thisthat anything could have persuaded him to remain at Grimmauld Place while the Order rushed to the Ministry.
We also learn that Dumbledore can make serious mistakes. UpUntil until this pointnow, Dumbledore hashad seemed to be largely infallible;. distantAloof as he always was, and somewhat unknowable, still his pronouncements were invariably accurate. Here, we see Dumbledore admitting his mistakesfailures in not telling Harry sooner what was prophesied for him, of attempting to have Snape teach Harry Occlumency to Harry, and in somethinga ofsomewhat abackhanded backhand waymanner, of notfailing to properly explainingexplain why Harry shouldneeded beto barringbar Voldemort's thoughts. These latter two mistakeserrors have had fairly major effects in this book;consequences. Snape's attempts to teach Occlumency to Harry, surrounded as they arewere with Snape's bias against Harry, and Harry's distrust and dislike of Snape, served only to strengthenstrengthened the link between Harry and Voldemort,. andAnd Harry's being unaware that Voldemort could createplant fake images and project them into Harry's mind resulted, ultimately, in luring Harry to the Ministry and Sirius' death.
VeryOne lateinteresting inand thisnearly chapter,hidden almostpoint hidden,occurs islate onein particularlythis interesting pointchapter. Dumbledore tells Harry that the power he has that Voldemort cannot understand is love, and that. itIt was that deep love, for his parents and Sirius, that protected Harry from possessionVoldemort bypossessing Voldemorthim. Voldemort leftfled Harry's mind because ''"he could not bear to reside in a body so full of the force he detests."'' This could be a factor in later books.
Harry, meanwhile, is roiling in turmoil—simultaneously experiencing rage, grief, and guilt. Although Dumbledore explains why he withheld vital information and reveals the entire prophecy, it does little to console Harry. He now understands his ties to the Dursleys, and though his relationship with Petunia will never change, he now realizes that it is she, through their blood connection, who stands between him and Voldemort. And though Petunia has no love for her nephew, she continues to fulfill her obligation to protect him; Harry knows he must continue to endure living in her home until he comes of age. And now Harry has a new burden to bear: either he or Voldemort must die.
== Questions ==
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