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No, Dumbledore did not raise Harry Potter as a guinea pig and JK Rowling subtly hid this detail that only attentive fans could see


No, Dumbledore did not raise Harry Potter as a guinea pig and JK Rowling subtly hid this detail that only attentive fans could see

In the vast and magical world of JK Rowling’s Harry Potter There are few questions in the series that spark as much debate among fans as whether Albus Dumbledore was a genius wizard or just a manipulative puppet master. This question arises from Severus Snape’s comment about how the Hogwarts headmaster raised Harry.like a pig to the slaughter“.

Severus Snape and Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films | Image: Warner Bros.
Severus Snape and Albus Dumbledore in Harry Potter Movies | Image: Warner Bros.

After Death Eater double agent Snape portrayed Dumbledore as a cold, calculating figure who used Harry Potter as a pawn in the game of survival, fans began to question whether the headmaster was actually a strategist. However, keen-eyed fans eased the debate by dispelling common misconceptions about Dumbledore.

The depth of Severus Snape’s accusation against Albus Dumbledore

The last episode of the Harry Potter The franchise has been quite a journey not only for the actors but also for the audience, who unraveled bigger mysteries while saying goodbye to the nostalgic saga. One such curious part of the plot surfaced after Severus Snape’s scathing accusation to Albus Dumbledore that he raised Harry as a pig for slaughter.

This particular moment of revelation occurred after Harry went through the memories of the misunderstood hero Snape in the Pensieve, where he came across a conversation between the Death Eater and the Headmaster of Hogwarts about how the latter knew about the prophesied child and yet did nothing to protect him from Voldemort and ultimate death.

Alan Rickman as Severus Snape in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” | Warner Bros.
Alan Rickman as Severus Snape in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 | Image: Warner Bros.

Everything was meant to protect Lily Potter’s son, and now you’re telling me you raised him like a pig for slaughter.

Severus Snape’s claim not only portrayed Dumbledore as a heartless strategist who manipulated Harry over the years, but also played on the image of the headmaster in fans’ minds. This raised audiences’ curiosity as to whether Dumbledore was actually a strategic leader or a misunderstood protector of Harry.

Snape's heartbreaking conversation with Dumbledore about Harry | Image: Warner Bros.
Snape’s heartbreaking conversation with Dumbledore about Harry | Image: Warner Bros.

As the topic became a heated debate among fans, diehard Potterheads emerged to clarify the truth behind Albus Dumbledore’s intention and Severus Snape’s accusation. Readers claimed that Snape’s torment and accusations were rooted in his own pain and experiences of being manipulated by Dumbledore, and clarified that the role of the Headmaster is far more nuanced than Snape’s passionate words suggest.

Harry Potter Fans cleared up the confusion about Dumbledore’s plan

Reddit user u/CommanderCuntPunt has highlighted that Albus Dumbledore never really answered or corrected Severus Snape’s accusations, delving into the depths of JK Rowling’s Harry Potter novels to clear up the misunderstanding. Fans unearthed minute details from the author’s pages and began to debate the prophecy.

The user explained that Sybill Trelawney’s prophecy that a child born in late July would have the power to defeat the Dark Lord never actually revealed Harry Potter’s name, explaining that Dumbledore could not have known about the boy who lived. Although the prophecy became a pivotal moment in the series, it was not until the events of Goblet of Fire that Dumbledore confirmed that Harry was the prophesied child.

Therefore, up to this point, Albus Dumbledore’s knowledge was limited to the existence of the prophecy and its general implications, not its specific connection to Harry. When Snape accused the headmaster of “increase” Harry as a pig to be slaughtered, Dumbledore was actually innocent. When the significant aspect of Harry being a Horcrux became a topic of discussion, the Redditor explained how Dumbledore found out about it in Chamber of Secrets.

Michael Gambon as Dumbledore
Michael Gambon as Dumbledore in JK Rowling’s Harry Potter Franchise | Image: Warner Bros.

According to the understanding of fans of JK Rowling’s novels, Dumbledore’s knowledge of Voldemort’s Horcruxes was a gradual process. While he knew of Voldemort’s quest for immortality and his fondness for Horcruxes, Dumbledore was unaware that Harry was one. It was not until the events of Goblet of Firethat the headmaster found out that Harry was one when he revealed Voldemort’s use of his blood.

Harry Potter with Albus Dumbledore
Harry Potter with Albus Dumbledore | Image: Warner Bros.

Therefore, Albus Dumbledore’s actions throughout the series reflect his mentor-like personality, who was deeply invested in Harry Potter’s well-being. His intention was never to portray Harry as a mere “Guinea pigs” but to prepare him to face Voldemort and a fate that was both extraordinary and devastating. So it seems that Dumbledore’s guidance, while often cryptic, was actually aimed at equipping Harry with the knowledge and power he needed.

Harry Potter Films will be available on Max from February 2024.

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