[HPforGrownups] First meetings HP/DM, JP/SS was Re: Always bothered me

[Kathryn Cawte]

No: HPFGUIDX 71305

Darrin said -
 
I think this is a very sanitized version of that conversation. I 
mean, Draco isn't exactly giving Harry a good vibe the entire time.
 
(snipped summary of Draco's inept attempt at befriending Harry)
 
Yes, let's become friends with this kid. 
 
Me -

But that's not the point. The fact is Draco seemed to genuinely be trying to
make a friend. He says and does *exactly* the wrong things to achieve that
result but that doesn't make his effort any less sincere.
   
Darrin -
 
And, well, I'm sorry Draco doesn't know how to be nice, but how is 
that Harry's problem? If a doctor doesn't know how to be a doctor, 
should you go under his surgical knife out of sympathy?
 
Me -

The fact that Harry had no reason to be Draco's friend doesn't stop Draco's
attemt being sincere or mean that he's not going to be hurt when Harry
rejects him.

Darrin -
 
His pride got hurt, I'd agree with, but Harry clearly wants nothing 
to do with what Draco wants most - House Slytherin. Draco talks about 
leaving if he's not picked for Slytherin. Harry begs the Hat not to 
put him there.
 
That is a fundamental difference, in views, attitudes and goals and 
dreams. 
 
Me -

Actually I don't think Harry's decision to be in Gryffindor has much to do
with his attitudes or goals at all. he doesn't want to be in Slytherin
because the boy he's made friends with has told him that "there's not a
witch or wizard that went bad that wasn't in Slytherin" (which as we all
know is incorrect). Unlike Hermione who's read Hogwarts: A History from
cover to cover by this time Harry really knows nothing about any of the
houses and he makes his choice based on Ron's anti-Slytherin propaganda and
Ron and draco's attitude to one another which is based on the personal
rivalry between their fathers rather than anything else at this point.
 
 K