BANG! You're dead!

[B Arrowsmith]

No: HPFGUIDX 76697

Deaths in the series so far, 5 (not counting an unknown number of 
Giants).

Plenty pre- PS, but in the five books published, that's depressingly 
few; one would have expected more than that in the MoM battle alone. 
Anyone else feel cheated? This despite JKRs assertion that "...you must 
be brutal."

In the tradition of such epics, all the deaths are on the wrong side.
Cedric, an innocent
Sirius, a plot device
Crouch Snr, misguided but anti-Voldemort
Quirrell,  possessed
Bode, under an Imperius curse from Malfoy, then deranged by a security 
device, then attacked by a  refugee from the herbaceous border. Not 
lucky, that man.

The baddies have escaped unscathed, hopefully to receive their just 
desserts in the final resolution.
It's interesting that in the posts from those with a morbid taste, the 
predicted deaths are also of goodies; DD, Harry, Ron, Hermione, etc. 
Why? There is even a large faction that seem to think that Voldy will  
be defeated but not killed. Again, why?

Being an evil minded sadist, I raise  my standard to the cause of 
blood-boltered mayhem, cathartic come-uppance and satisfying  
slaughter. Away with this namby-pamby redemption through the power of 
love! Can you think of anything more Mills and Boon? More adolescent 
fantasy? Ugh!

All you need is love? Rubbish. In the words of the song,

"If Lennon had packed a .44,
The eighties wouldn't have been such a bore"

Projecting loving thoughts at a murderous psychopath does not stop him 
reaching for the meat-axe. Expounding tolerance to bigots just enrages 
them. Those that preach that violence never solves anything should read 
some history. The meek shall inherit the Earth, yes, but only after 
everybody else has finished with it.  Love *creates* problems and 
dilemmas. (Here  I  bare my arm and show  my scars. Count the grey 
hairs! I didn't get these from enemies, but from loved ones!)

This is supposed to be a war, for Heavens sake! Even (especially!) in a 
fictional war the casualties mount, friends grieve, then they stiffen 
the sinews, summon up the blood, and zap the bastards!

In the first war against Voldemort, Crouch authorised Aurors to kill if 
necessary.  This seems a reasonable response to the threat posed at the 
time. Notice that canon does not mention any dissent; it was considered 
unfortunate but realistic. Umbrage, in her own eyes striving for the 
common good, seems to think a Cruciatus curse is justified 
occasionally. Harry tries one against Bella (ignore Bellas' taunt that 
you have to enjoy inflicting pain for it to work. When did Harry *ever* 
  get a wand spell to work properly the first time he tried it?) This is 
an encouraging trend, hopefully heading towards a raised body count.

True,  DD uses non-lethal spells  in the Ministry, but who else is as 
powerful a wizard as he? Sure DEs can be captured, but keeping them 
secure when AK-toting friends are available to get them out is not 
likely. Unless DD does all the fighting, and keeps personal guard over 
them, the DEs are going to win by default. No, now that Azkaban is no 
longer secure, now that the Dementors have joined Voldy, I think we can 
gleefully rub our hands and anticipate obituaries in the Daily Prophet.

So cheer up, friends!  The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse may yet 
emerge from the Dark Forest.
And to  those who raise their hands in horror and claim the moral high 
ground for peace-lovers, remember that the Commandment "Thou shalt not 
kill" is a mis-translation; in the original it read "Thou shalt not 
murder."

Kneasy
(with a gleeful cackle)