OOP - Big Questions - Spoilers!

[Trisha Masen]

No: HPFGUIDX 61459

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==after borrowing Jenny from Ravenclaw's spoiler space, I answer:===
1. What do you all think of House Elves now, especially with the awful
Kreacher being introduced?  Do they really choose their lot or are
they completely "trained" by their owners (as Dumbledore implied)?
====
Kreacher doesn't worry me so much as Dobby.  Because of his loyalty to Harry
and Hermione's arrogance about SPEW, Dobby is now the only one responsible
for Gryffindor Tower.  How will Hermione react when (or if) she finds out
she's responsible for heaping more work upon a house-elf?

====
2. What do you think of Harry using Crucio on Bellatrix?  This was a
big shock to me.
====
I've been wondering about this since a few hours after reading.  While I
don't think he'll be punished for it, I think he'll beat himself up about
it.  He's always seen things as black and white and I think the events of
this year will make him realize there are shades of grey - and that his use
of an Unforgiveable falls in this area.  How can he consider himself "good"
if he casts an "evil" curse?  Even if he couldn't cause the pain he (may
have) wanted to inflict, he still cast the curse.

=====
3. Why do you think JKR chose for Sirius to be the one to die?  Was
she taking it too far for Harry?
=====
I still haven't fully assimilated Sirius' death.  It's going to affect
Harry.  Whether for the good or for the bad, I'm not entirely sure yet.
He's lost nearly all his father figures, either literally or idealistically.
Sirius is dead, Dumbledore is human, Hagrid seems to be losing it.  The only
one left might be Lupin, but I think Harry sees him as more of a mentor or
big brother than father figure.  I think Harry is going to feel alone come
sixth year.

=====
4. What do you think of the way JKR portrays the MoM - and government
in general?
=====
I think there was some redemption at the end.  I didn't expect her to have
Fudge see the light at the end.  If I had predicted that, my post-Hogwarts
fanfic would have taken a different tack.  I think the Ministry is just like
any other governmental organization, mired in bureaucracy.

=====
6. Why did Percy turn his back on his family, especially his mother?
What will become of him now?
=====
Percy is tied inextriably (sp?) with the Ministry.  His love of rules and
order has blinded him to what might be right.  For him, he's chosen what
easy - following the rules - rather than what might be right.  Whether it
may lead him to the Dark side or not, I can't say.  I do think he's going to
stay alienated from his family, however.

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7. Are we supposed to dislike James Potter now?
=====
I think we're supposed to see him as human, with flaws.

~Trisha