Order of Merlin Question?

[Risti <pretty_feet51@yahoo.com>]

No: HPFGUIDX 52200

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, Rona Patterson < 
>  Kathryn Wolber <katydid3500 at y...> wrote:
> I think that the order of merlin in which Dumbledore belongs  
should be questioned, because if Merlin was a bad wizard who is to 
say that like the Slytherian house the Order doesn't produce nothing 
but *bad* wizards.  Futhermore, why in the world would Pettigrew a 
person Jame, Lupin, and Siruis trust betray them if they were 
friends, because he had his own agenda.  Just a thought.  I was think 
of what JKR said how Harry will have to choose between what is easy 
and what is right.(<--paraphrasing)  I didn't want to start confusion 
but I was really trying to see maybe if JKR would maybe throw a loop 
on us. Anything is possible.


Now, I'm probably not as up to speed on my Arthurian Legends, but 
there is one thing that I know.  The character of Merlin, if it were 
to be compared to any character in HP, would be most like Snape in 
one regard.  He is one of the most morally ambiguous character in the 
Legends.  The Legends of Merlin covered a large chunk of that 
supposed time in history, and during that time Merlin did many very 
good things, some not so good things, and many things that could be 
questioned as to which side they were on.

I've always understood the Order of Merlin to be a reference towards 
the fact that Merlin was probably one of the greatest wizards in 
British History, and over all, was really a great *help* to Britain.  
My take on it is that the Order of Merlin is an award given to those 
who have shown a high level of skill in magic, and/or done something 
that is a big help to Britain(at least the magical community in 
Britian).

~Risti