Reforming Voldemort etc (was Re: CoS Theories)

[clicketykeys]

No: HPFGUIDX 47225

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "Indigo" <indigo at i...> wrote:
> --- In HPforGrownups at y..., GulPlum <hpfgu at p...> wrote:

<snippage throughout>

GulPlum:
> > > >I therefore propose that observation in support of a theory I've 
> had for
> > > >some time (and seen mentioned in various places by others as 
> well), which
> > > >is that Voldemort's ultimate downfall will not be his death, but 
> the
> > > >undoing of all the changes he underwent since leaving Hogwarts, 
> and a
> > > >return to his previous form as an adolescent. The 
> ultimate "second
> > > >chance",
> > > >a recurring theme in the books!

Indigo:
> > >
> > >Interesting thought, but I am not so sure I think that would be 
> considered 
> > >wise.  Riddlemort's nature would have to change at the intrinsic 
> basic 
> > >level to not have him rise all over again, wouldn't it? And then 
> there's 
> > >the morality of  the "would you kill Hitler"  question coming back 
> into play.

Gulplum:
> > 
> > I'm well aware of that. Complicated morality is at the heart of 
> these 
> > books, and that kind of moral conundrum is just the kind of thing I 
> could 
> > see JKR attempting to tackle. Furthermore, whilst the importance 
> of "choice 
> > over abilities" has also been highlighted, JKR has also not shied 
> away from 
> > illustrating the fact that some "choices" are thrust upon us 
> (inheritance - 
> > both in terms of of material possessions and heritage - wealth, 
> social 
> > standing, etc). Riddle/Voldemort is a good example of this. Having 
> Riddle 
> > end up without any of those advantages would make an interesting 
> finale. 

Indigo:
> 
> An interesting one, yes, but it would be, to my mind, out of 
> character for most of the cast. 
> 
> Harry did show mercy to Pettigrew, and regretted doing so when 
> Pettigrew escaped.  
> 
> Harry was willing to show no mercy to Black until he heard sufficient 
> evidence to trust him otherwise.
> 
> Harry might be willing to show mercy to Voldemort, but considering 
> Harry has grown angrier about the death of his parents as he has 
> grown older, and angrier about Voldemort's continued attempts to kill 
> him -- I don't think Harry is going to remain merciful forever. 

Me:

This is where I have to disagree. Due to the nature of the story - an 
epic war between "Good" and "Evil" - and magnified by the fact that
these books are written /primarily/ for young people, I don't think 
Harry (or Dumbledore, for that matter) will kill anyone. Not 
willingly, anyway. I am tired and I have a splitting headache, so I'm 
not going to back up that claim just now - don't have the energy to do 
it justice, and I'm not going to settle for less.
 
Indigo:
> 
> I'm disinclined to think that a memory charm above and beyond the 
> level of Lockhart's facility for them, being placed on a young 
> Riddle/Voldemort is something anyone would be willing to trust to.  
> [As an example of some way to change Riddle's personality entirely.]
> Not after all the death Voldemort has caused. 
> 
> I believe it would take a phenomenal amount of magic [beyond anything 
> we've seen to date] to change Voldemort's personality that much.  I 
> also believe that the UK wizarding population would not stand for a 
> memory charm being put on him, or anything that appeared outwardly to 
> have reformed Voldemort to a non-Dark wizard.  

Again, due to the nature of the story, I don't think reform is an 
option. Redemption is - but not for Voldemort. There isn't anything he 
could do that would make up for what he's done already.

-C.K.
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