Draco won't be a DE/You so sure about that? & Draco's Bravery (TBAY/SHIP)

[cindysphynx]

No: HPFGUIDX 41580

I'm coming into this discussion late, but landing with 
*both feet!*  ;-)

Darrin:

>To have a chance to be redeemed, Draco must make a conscious choice 
> to turn away. Nothing in his character, as of yet, shows he will 
>make that choice. Yes, in the next three books, he could, but what 
>I'm disputing is the "clues" pro-Draco folks are putting forward 
>now.

<snip>

 
> Draco wants power, just like his father does. If he believes 
> Voldemort will give him power, I think he'd kiss a few robes. He 
>is a  bright kid -- perhaps second only to Hermione in top marks -- 
>and  therefore knows what the teachers are there for. He's got the 
>rich kid's mentality toward teachers, which I'm sure you've seen.


First, let me be clear that I'll be addressing the part of 
Redeemable!Draco that claims the first four books contain clues that 
Draco will be redeemed.  I'm not challenging the argument that Draco 
could be redeemed in the next three books if JKR wants to do that.

I think one of the biggest obstacles to the Redeemable!Draco 
argument as I have defined it is that Draco is a coward.  In the 
first four books, Draco really hasn't ever done anything that 
qualifies as brave.  Or, at least, nothing that is coming to mind 
right about now.  ;-)  That suggests to me that Draco lacks the 
*guts* to make a drastic change like changing from Evil to Good -- 
to reject the comfortable path of his privileged life, reject his 
father, follow in Snape's footsteps, and betray Voldemort.

Harry, Ron and Hermione, in contrast, have all done lots of brave 
things.  There's no point in even trying to list them, as there are 
so many instances of bravery among them.  Sirius has been brave, 
Lupin has been brave (especially if you think he ran to the Shack 
knowing there was a risk that he'd transform), James has been brave 
(attempting to fight off Voldemort), Snape has been brave by turning 
spy (depending on what you believe about Snape's backstory).  
There's lots of bravery to go around.

But Draco?  Brave?

Nah. 

Darrin:

> If I'm right, Draco is going to get WORSE, not better. 

Here's a question.  Isn't BadAsHeWantsToBe!Draco infinitely more 
Bangy than Redeemable!Draco?  Redeemable!Draco just sounds so darn 
Dud-worthy to my ears.  He's nasty as a child, but then some 
melodramatic thing causes a complete reversal in his outlook.  
Something bad happens, he weeps, and he decides he has had enough 
and will now be Good.  Good  -- just like Harry Potter!  The only 
thing missing there is the overblown musical score by John Williams. 

But BadAsHeWantsToBe!Draco, a Draco who throws himself into the Dark 
Arts and gets pretty good at it, a Draco who is committed to 
bringing down that Harry Potter, no matter what  . . . now that 
really *Bangs!*  Draco becomes a *real* nemesis for Harry rather 
than a mere irritant.  Draco decides his father is a total *wimp* 
who is just in the way and rubs out Lucius on his relentless march 
to the top of Voldemort's organization.  Draco becomes a *real* 
threat to Voldemort.  He becomes Someone To Watch While You're 
Watching Your Back.  Oh, the books *really* need someone to fill 
that role!

> Darrin
> -- I will conduct a public burning of the books if the 
>Draco/Hermione 
> thing comes to pass. Tickets will be available on e-bay.

Cindy -- wondering if she can get a backstage pass if she agrees to 
bring the gasoline