The Evil Trio deserved hexes [was The Train Stomp vs. Dumbledore, etc.]

[dumbledore11214 <dumbledore11214@yahoo.com>]

No: HPFGUIDX 51466

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "marinafrants <rusalka at i...>" 
<rusalka at i...> wrote:
> 
> I think that whether or not the Slytherins deserved to be hexed 
> and/or "stomped" is not the real issue here, at least not for 
people 
> who are bothered by the scene.  Look back at the Shrieking Shack 
> confrontation in PoA.  Once the truth is revealed, all the 
> characters present, including Harry, pretty much agree that 
> Pettigrew deserves to die.  And as a reader, I can't say I 
> disagree.  But Harry still stops Sirius and Remus from going 
through 
> with the killing -- not for Pettigrew's sake, but for theirs.  He 
> doesn't want Sirius and Remus to become murderers, he doesn't think 
> James would've wanted it, and I think that his choice is presented 
> as the right choice -- not because it saved Pettigrew, but because 
> it saved Sirius and Remus.  The message I got from that scene was 
> that there are certain things that we just mustn't do, even to a 
> deserving target, because of how *we* are affected by doing them.  
> 
> Given that message, the confrontation on the train can come across 
> as quite disturbing for reasons that have nothing to do with 
whether 
> or not the Slytherins deserved it.  Draco came in and behaved like 
a 
> vile git, yes.  The Gryffindors were enraged and struck back with 
> violence.  Was their rage justified?  Yes, I think it was.  I see 
> one big problem here, however: justified rage and unjustified rage 
> feel *exactly the same* at the moment when you're actually feeling 
> it.
> 
> Marina
> rusalka at i...


Yes, I agree that Harry's choice in the Shriecking Shack is presented 
as the right one. But I refuse to see both scenes in the same light. 
Maybe, if HRH and twins tried to kill Draco and his chronies or even 
hexed them with more serious curses I would be bothered. Maybe,I 
don't know.

Please, don't get me wrong. I do not advocate violence. I guess I see 
why people are bothered by this scene, but I have a question - how 
would you want them to react at Drago's provocative and hateful 
words? Should they just ignore him? Would that be OK? It is possible 
that Draco and Co would continue with hexes and cursing.It is pure 
speculation, of course, but based on Draco's past behaviour, I think 
it is reasonable enough. Should HRH continue ignoring them?


I very strongly feel that Trios' reaction (especially Harry's 
reaction) was justified. They did not attack first, they reacted to 
provocation. "Justified and unjustified rage" may feel the same when 
you are actually feeling it, but the first one makes your behaviour 
understandable afterwards.

Alla