Is there anything in the HP world that bothers you?

[David]

No: HPFGUIDX 56498

Melanie L Ellis wrote:

> I just don't understand why JKR had to make the Mandrakes seem so 
*human*
> in the story!

and Bill commented on the state of wizarding justice, too.

I always confuse myself over the question of author intent with 
things like this, but I think the two cases are quite different.

I think there are plenty of clues in the text to suggest that 
wizarding justice is 'meant' to be shocking, in the sense that the 
reader can enjoy the story and still feel it supports values of 
justice.  In other words, the narrative doesn't endorse the state of 
justice in wizarding society.  Sirius Black is a sympathetic 
character, it is clearly unfair that Hagrid is taken off to Azkaban, 
Fudge is shown to be open to dark side influence and so on.

The mandrakes are different, because sympathetic characters such as 
Sprout, Pomfrey and McGonagall don't bat an eyelid about chopping 
them up for a potion despite their apparently intelligent 
characteristics.  All it would take is a comment from Hermione to 
establish that all the Mandrakes' behaviour is purely a magical 
effect with no more feeling than a potato has, but we don't get it.  
Of course, a future book could let us off that hook, but I suspect 
JKR enjoys leaving us there.

David