Hagrid, Moody and Violent Responses (WAS What Does It Mean To "Like" )

[marinafrants]

No: HPFGUIDX 34091

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "cindysphynx" <cindysphynx at h...> wrote:
> I also think that Moody had authority over Draco that Hagrid does 
not 
> have over Karkaroff.  A teacher who disciplines a student and acts 
to 
> protect another student from the offending student is entitled to 
> some leeway.  

That's interesting, because I feel exactly the opposite way: Moody's 
authority over Draco is the reason why I found the ferret-bouncing 
incident more objectionable than Hagrid's attack.  It's the issue of 
power balance that gets to me, I guess.  Let me see if I can explain 
this intelligently.

Karkaroff and Hagrid are both adults (legally and physically, 
anyhow).  Hagrid is way bigger and stronger than Karkaroff, but 
Karkaroff is the more powerful wizard.  There is a certain balance 
between them.  OTOH, Moody has the advantage over Draco in every 
way -- in age, physical strength, authority, and magical power.  So 
to me his actions came across as an abuse of that power, and plain 
old bullying.  If he simply wanted to protect Harry, any number of 
non-violent spells would've done the job (like Stupefy).  If he 
wanted to discipline Draco and teach him a lesson -- hey, that's 
what detentions are for.  If Moody had sent Draco off to scrub the 
infirmary toilets with his toothbrush or something, I would've been 
the first to applaud, but there was no excuse for violence, IMO.

Oh, and for the record, I really like Hagrid, have no strong 
feelings about Moody either way, and think Draco is a slimy little 
git but a fun character to read about.  Don't know how it fits in 
with the general theory about excusing characters we like.

Marina
rusalka at ix.netcom.com