Blackmail Revisited -Fred, George, & Hermione

[Steve <bboy_mn@yahoo.com>]

No: HPFGUIDX 52657

Since the subject of Rite Skeeter has come up again, so has the
subject of Blackmail, but I think many people have a warped idea of
what Blackmail is. Blackmail is a crime of theft; a form of stealing.

Blackmail says, give me what I want even though it doesn't belong to
me, or else.

Fred and George aren't saying that. Fred and George are saying give us
what rightfully belongs to us, or else. There is a big big BIG
difference between the two. Fred & George initially attempt to recover
the winnings that are rightfully owed to them, when that fail, they
try to recover their original investment. If anyone is commiting a
crime it's Ludo Bagman who has stolen Fred & George's money. By
threatening him, they are saying make good on your debt, or pay the
very legal and valid price of exposure.

When the bank says make you car payments OR ELSE we are taking your
car, I seriously doubt that anyone considers that Blackmail. Fred &
George are doing the equivalent. True trying to get their money from
Bagman my implying or stating a threat in their letter is 'like'
blackmail and might 'sound like' blackmail, but in reality it is not
true blackmail.

Hermione is in the same situation, she is engaging in a blackmail-like
activity, but nothing that would legally be considered blackmail
because there is no personal gain; not attempt to gain possession of
something that doesn't belong to her.

Hermione is saying to Rita, stop being callous, insenstitive, vicious,
and cold heart, or risk having your own crimes exposed. She is giving
Rita a taste of her own medicine. But she is not trying to take
something that does not belong to her and she is not doing it for
personal material gain.

However, there is the small matter of Hermione kidnapping Rita, but
even there we could say that she did not seek her out for the purpose
of kidnapping her. Hermione actually captured Rita in the act of doing
something wrong, so at best Hermione merely delayed turning Rita over
to the authorities. I don't think capturing a criminal (or
criminal-like person) and striking the bargain 'go straight or else',
qualifies as kidnapping or blackmail. Although, I do admit in the
kidnapping area there is a lot more range for interpretation.


Just a few thoughts.

bboy_mn