Draco vs. Ron

[Erica <cymru1ca@yahoo.ca>]

No: HPFGUIDX 52649

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Amy Z <lupinesque at y...>" 
<lupinesque at y...> wrote:
<much snippage>

  Draco, not Ron, is a bigot (Ron has his 
> moments, but they are very mild), 

Mild bigotry?

is manipulative, and finds other 
> people's suffering amusing.  

Whereas Ron was particularly abhored at Moody's 'Bouncing Ferret' 
trick?  Or   "Ha! As if! She just didn't want to go with Neville ... 
I mean, who would?"
 
The fact that they overlap in other 
> characteristics doesn't erase these differences.
>  
> > It's simply a matter of what one is willing to forgive. 
> 
> Which is quite a big difference, is it not?

I think that perhaps the differents is in whom one is willing to 'cut 
some slack'.  Ron behaves badly to Harry and Hermione but we chalk it 
up to a combination of (possibly) low self esteem, insecurity, 
jealousy, immaturity etc. and forgive him.

Draco behaves badly and noone is willing to cut him some slack.  Is 
it realistic to expect a boy who's been taught to *hate*, whose been 
given missinformation by peoply he trusts, to easily let go of his 
ideas.

Yes he's done stupid, mean spirited things (so, I might add, have the 
others - like sending their brother dung via Owl post) but he isn't 
IMHO innately evil.   He calls Hermione 'Mudblood' time and again but 
there are *no* reprisals from him when she *slaps* him.  He doesn't 
lurk in the hallways or the library to try and ambush her.  He 
doesn't compromise her safety and calls attention to her during the 
World Cup.

Consider how difficult a struggle would it be for Harry or Ron *not* 
to choose to side with Voldemort.  Now consider how difficult that 
choice would be for Draco.


Erica