The Train Stomp vs. Dissin' The Slyths WAS Re: [HPforGrownups] Re: House points

[Steve <bboy_mn@yahoo.com>]

No: HPFGUIDX 51314

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Jim Ferer <jferer at y...>"
<jferer at y...> wrote:
> Eileen:"It is difficult for me, after reading an entire book which
> explores the ways in which the good guys are less than good, to read
> the Train Stomp without a certain degree of apprehension.
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

> JIM:
>
> I don't think the Train Stomp makes Ron, Harry, Hermione, Fred, or
> George evil, but it is very troubling. Is it indicative of things to
> come? My reaction was, "Oh no, where is this going? ...
> 
> (Are our characters)...Tarnished? After what Draco and his cronies
> said? No way. They showed admirable restraint.
> 
> ...edited... I can't imagine 99.99999% of the people on Earth being
> able to endure that provocation - gloating over the murder of a
> good person? 
> 
> JKR seems to understand and accept the concept of rough justice, and
> I'm glad she does.  We know that the Trio and Fred and George are
> not evil people.
> 
> Jim Ferer

bboy_mn:
I'm glad people have already addressed the issue of provocation. Not
only did Draco insult the memory and name of a very fine noble young
man (Cedric), but he told H/H/R that they were next. He threatened
them with death.

The point I want to make is that none of them really knew that the
others were about to curse Draco too. Each made an independant choice
and acted on it. It is just by chance that they all cursed at once and
that the resulting effects were amplified by the combined simultanious
curses. 

Each of them threw a typical childish harassment curse; jelly-legs,
etc....

None of them intended the degree of (in the very general sense) harm
they caused. Although, the only lasting harm, would be to their egos.

I also think that the first competent witch or wizard to come by,
could sort the mess out in short order. Again, these were not truly
assaultive curses (example: Stunning curse), they were childish
harassment curses. 

As a side note: 
Draco did threaten them with death. That type of threat could be
considered an assault. I'm no legal expert but in the concept of
'Assault and Battery', it is Battery that is represents physical
contact which would imply that you can be assaulted without physical
contact. If, due to the statements or intentional actions of another
person, you fear for your life or fear bodily harm, you have already
been assaulted. 

The point I'm making here is that I'm not buying any poor innocent
Draco arguments.

Just a few thoughts.

bboy_mn