On-topic (HP vs. the 9/11/01 world) & Off-topic & Thank you (not in that order)

[Rachelle Elliott]

No: HPFGUIDX 26139

I would like to thank everyone in the HP Group for your thoughts and
prayers.  As an American citizen, I feel a strong bond with the countries
who has displayed respect, emotions, etc... during the tragedy.  This will
never be forgotten.

As Dumbledore stated that "in light of Lord Voldemort's return, we are only
as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided.  Lord Voldermort's
gift for spreading discord and enmity is very great.  We can fight it only
by showing and equally strong bond of friendship and trust.  Differences in
habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our
hearts are open.  Those affected have bonded and been there in the time of
need.  I never really though about how other nations would be affected by a
tragedy on another counties soil.  I just could not see out of my own box.
But, this could have happened anywhere (Unfortunately we do not have a
Secret Keeper to keep our homes safe).

You never really know who is affected by evil.  For example, Neville
Longbottom.  I never really took a second though about who, besides Harry,
had suffered because of Lord Voldemort.  It was just Harry.  But as I learn
of others I grow more aware of the problem, evil affects everyone.  Harry is
not alone in his fight.  He has friends, neighbors, family (?), peers, and
others who are willing to stand up to evil.  Everyone (directly and
indirectly) has suffered greatly.
(I am comparing Harry and the US for immediate purposes.  It could have been
any country in the world or any tragedy in the world.  They would also be
compared to Harry.  Please no nasty comments.  I could not take it right
now.)

Cornelius Fudge.  I really never understood why he wanted to ignore that
Lord Voldemort was back.  Maybe his ignores is actually disbelief.  The
feelings are temporary.  It was like when I was told that the tragedy
occurred.  The severity never really hit until I saw the world trade centers
fall and my middle school students had millions of questions.  In GoF, Fudge
had not really seen the actual violence.  He was not in the grave yard when
Lord Voldemort rose from the grave.  Since he as seen war, he does know what
dark times are coming.  It would be nice to turn of the radio, TV, and
telephone and hide in bed forever.  Pretend that everything is OK and
nothing bad is going to happen in the next coupe of days, weeks, months, and
years.  But in the end, we can not.

Arthur Weasley.  Arthur can be one of those millions of individuals working
his long hours.  He could be a fire fighter, police, business man,
politician, FBI, Air line worker, counselor, red cross volunteer, the list
is endless, etc... Anyone who is working tirelessly to help others
throughout the tragedy.  His heart, mind, and soul are in the right place
and I thank him for that.  He would give anything he could to those who need
it and he has instilled those values upon his children.  He is honorable
because he stands up for what he believes in.

Draco Malfoy.  There has been a lot of discussion about him in the group
during the past couple of months.  He could be to the children and adults
celebrating the attack on the streets.  He did made insensitive statements
on the train ride back home in GoF just, like some of the individuals
celebrating on the street.  But I truly believe that Draco and some
celebrating individuals will see the errors of their ways.  In then end,
they will make a positive choice to save human life.

Snape.  I hope that Snape will end up being on of the terrorists that turns
in the ring leaders of the attacks.  He may have done some terrible things
in the past, but made the tough choice to put his own life on the line to
save others.

When Harry made the comment about Mrs. Weasley probably not wanting George
and Fred to work for the Ministry of Magic, is really accurate.  I am
comparing the MOM to the Armed Services or the rescue workers.  No family
wants to lose a loved one.  But, It is honorable and right to try to protect
others.  Those whose give the ultimate sacrifice for others leave their
families forever.  Their families are affected the most.  The have no one to
hug and tell how they loved them.  The freedom we have is contributed to
individuals we may never know.

Death Eaters v.s. Terrorists.  The are both secretive and hidden.  The could
be living next door to us or working at the desk next to ours (Macnair).
The terrorists used innocent people to get information.  Ludo Bagman did not
realize that he had helped evil just like the flying schools did not realize
they were training terror.

Remember Cedric (all the innocent lives lost), Remember if at time should
come when you have to make a choice between what is right and what is easy,
remember what happened to a boy who was good and kind and brave, because he
strayed across the path of Lord Voldermort.  Remember Cedric Diggory.  I do
feel a little be of compassion for the countries who need to make a choice.
The have common bonds with the terrorists (family, friends, neighbors,
protectors, etc...)  Making the right choice is NOT the easy choice for
them.

In Harry Potter, there is a clear enemy (Lord Voldemort & the Death Eaters).
W.W.I., W.W.II, Persian Gulf, etc.. there was a clear enemy.  Who is
responsible?  There is speculation but, no concrete proof (as of yet).  The
disappearances of Berta & Frank were mysterious.  Dumbledore had connected
them to Lord Voldermoret but that was all speculation.  There was no actual
proof that those individuals were dead until Voldemort's wand told Harry.
But, the information is only as good as the person who remembers it.  Lord
Voldemort also made his speech in the Death Eaters in which he mapped out
some of his strategy.  Will Harry remember?  A lot of things had happened in
a short period of time.  Does some unknowing person know vital information
in the tragedy and not realize it?

Thank you again.  I had been slowly leaving the HP club because of some
things that had happened.  On one of my first e-mail postings, I received a
petty personal e-mail from someone who negatively informed me I spelled
Voldemort incorrectly.  Then, I wanted to post a questions but was not sure
it was off-topic.  So, I e-mailed the moderators to find out.  I was told to
wait then received an e-mail to post it (from different people).  I then got
an e-mail back saying I was not suppose to post it and my error was publicly
known.  I was humiliated.

I only let you know this because in the end the reasons, in the scheme of
recent events, are actually petty.  I would have never know the compassion
and support that everyone has.  Petty differences may get under our skin,
but it is the big things that matter.  Please remember that when we get
upsets with each other in the future.

Try to stay strong.  We need to be there for each other in this time of
need.



"What will come, will come...and we will have to meet it when it does."
Rachelle Elliott
Janesville, Wisconsin, United States of America