small question from TBAY Imperius!Arthur

[Veronica]

No: HPFGUIDX 45375

Melody wrote:
> Where does Arthur purposely avoid watching veelas?
> 
> In GoF, Ch 8, when the veelas come onto the field....
> 
> "I wonder what they've brought," said Mr. Weasley, leaning forward 
> in his seat.  "Aaah!"  He suddenly whipped off his glasses and 
> polished them hurriedly on his robes.  "Veela!" ("Veela" in italics 
> mind you)
> 
> An Imerius!Arthur is aware of his weakness of mind.  He would not 
> want to clear his vision *quickly*, but rather find a way to 
> distract himself.  Arthur seems quite pleased in what he was about 
> to see.
> 
> And with these freshly polished glasses, Arthur watched the veelas
> dance and is not recorded as having any overly-pleased reaction.  In
> fact we have evidence that he was of sound mind.
> 
> Same book, same chapter:
> "Ron, meanwhile, was absentmindedly shredding the shamrocks on his
> hat.  Mr. Weasley, smiling slightly, leaned over to Ron and tugged 
> the hat out of his hands."
> 
> After the dance of the vixens, Arthur was clear headed enough to 
> think of his son and calm him a bit.  Sounds like a good father, to 
> me, who is completely capable of watching six of his own kids and 
> two of his kids' friends, one of which needs *special* watch.
> 
> But as I said, I don't think small point sinks your ship at all.
> 
> Melody

Veronica replies:

Okay, this part is not my strength, but I will see if I can do 
justice to the arguement posed in the orginal idea.

We see Arthur take OFF his glasses and clean them, but we never see 
him put them back on to WATCH the Veela. I believe that Elkins was 
orginally suggesting that he took his glasses off to avoid watching 
the Veela, because he knew that he was more vulnerable--for whatever 
reason. Harry and Ron and the others would have no idea that he was 
not watching them because they really weren't aware of ANYTHING going 
on around them at the time.

In fast, if he knew everyone was going to be watching the veela, and 
did not want to, taking off his glasses and shining them would be an 
excellent cover. It appears as if he is making sure he gets a good 
view, but in reality he is preventing it. He would have removed his 
glasses quickly before their 'powers' got a hold on him and he either 
forgot or changed his mind.

That would also explain why he is so clear-headed when he talks to 
Ron later. He never was looking at them, and so his mind never 
was . . . distracted, shall we say.

I have no proof, of course, but it makes sense if you want it to. =)

Veronica