The Train Stomp: What does it say about the Trio?

[Jim Ferer <jferer@yahoo.com>]

No: HPFGUIDX 51322

Eileen:"Well, that's a new one. I certainly hadn't thought of cursing
someone and then walking over them as restraint."

Considering what Draco and his goons did, I did.

Eileen:"Harry and Ron fail my standards so often during the books,
that's it's incredible, but I still think they're inherently good
people, and they'll grow up to be decent adults."

Their flaws - their variance from an ideal - make them human.  Those
'flaws' - Harry's willingness to go outside rules, for example - serve
him well, and they've served his friends and his school well.

Harry is not sadistic or cruel, nor does he prey on the weak. By
default, he is good and friendly. Same for Ron.  If in the future
Draco leaves Harry alone (fat chance), Harry will leave Draco alone.
He always would have left Draco alone. That's enough.  I will not hold
Harry, Ron, or Hermione (about as non-violent a person as there is in
canon)to standards no one can achieve, because unattainable standards
have no validity.

Eileen:"So, blessed are not the peacemakers and those who peacefully
resist? Do you really believe that only violence can be a response to
hateful remarks?"

Peacemakers are brave and pay a high price, usually, but they are not
the answer for every situation.  There is no peace with Voldemort or
his supporters, any more than you could use conflict resolution
against smallpox. The irredeemable can at least learn their venom has
consequences.

Eileen:"Would I be able to keep my temper in a case like that? Judging
by my track record, no.

And that's a bad thing. It says things about the human condition that
aren't very positive. It points to the fact that we are so easily,
almost inevitably corrupted."

No, it doesn't say bad things about you, Eileen, it just says you have
heart and passion. It's the qualities of caring and your moral compass
outraged by the unbearable.  You would be less human and alive if you
didn't 'lose your temper,' just as the Trio couldn't help themselves.
It's saying "they failed, nobody measures up, It's a disappointment,"
that's the path to cynicism.

I wouldn't want the Trio to be any way but the way they are. Will they
grow? Yes. Good. But they're going to need that toughness if they're
going to live through this.

Jim