Harry Potter Dumbledored Too Hard in Deathly Hallows & It Almost Cost Him Everything

Summary:

• The Horcrux Hunt had to be a guarded secret to prevent Voldemort from learning about Harry and Dumbledore’s quest.
• After Voldemort realized the Trio was after his Horcruxes, there was no need for secrecy, but Harry still didn’t reveal the truth to his allies.
• If the Golden Trio died, there would have been no one to continue their quest, and Voldemort would have easily won the war.

While undoubtedly the greatest wizard of his time, Albus Dumbledore had obvious shortcomings: his distrust for others bordered on paranoia, and he was too overly confident in his own plans and abilities to deem letting his supporters know more than the bare minimum necessary. Unfortunately, his favorite student Harry Potter took after the Headmaster, and that almost doomed the fight against Voldemort.

Harry Guarded His and Dumbledore’s Secret Quest

When Professor Dumbledore first began teaching Harry about Horcruxes and Voldemort’s past, secrecy was of utmost importance. If Lord Voldemort learned about their attempts to undermine him, he would have had all the time in the world to protect his soul-anchors better, depriving Harry and Dumbledore of any chance of ever finding them at all.

During the Horcrux Hunt, secrecy was just as essential for the same reasons. However, things changed when Voldemort realized that Harry, Ron, and Hermione were on the quest to locate and destroy his Horcruxes. Things changed — but The Chosen One’s attitude and understanding of them didn’t. Just like before, he continued guarding his and Dumbledore’s quest from people outside the Trio.

That was not just a delusion but a critical mistake that could have cost the Wizarding World its freedom and many lives.

Harry Didn’t Secure His Quest in the Case of His Death

Harry took after Dumbledore when it came to paranoia but not when it came to foresight. The Headmaster left after himself three people who could continue the Horcrux Hunt after his death and several people instructed to help them regardless of the circumstances; Harry Potter barely even attempted to secure his quest at all.

After Voldemort learned what they were doing, the secrecy was not needed anymore — in fact, quite the opposite was required. The only correct course of action would have been to inform the Order of the Phoenix and Dumbledore’s Army members about Horcruxes and share all the info with them, increasing the search team.

By doing so, Harry would have gained invaluable allies he could trust to continue his quest in case he, Ron, and Hermione wouldn’t wiggle their way out of the next fight. By not doing so, he sabotaged the war effort and got nothing in return, almost guaranteeing that in the case of the Golden Trio’s deaths, Voldemort would win.

Even to Neville, Harry only told the bare minimum of “kill the snake” — while already standing on death’s door and being 100% sure he would soon die. Oh the hubris!