OoP - Jenny's Big Questions (Crucio, MoM, Percy)

[Amy Z]

No: HPFGUIDX 61947

Jenny from Ravenclaw asked:

>> 2. What do you think of Harry using Crucio on Bellatrix? This was 
a big shock to me. 

I was shocked too, though not very surprised.  And I felt gloriously 
vindicated in my long-ago speculation that you can't just say the 
word "Crucio" and hurt someone–you really have to long to hurt them 
(considering how most of my predictions are doing, I need vindication 
where I can get it).  To tell you the truth, I'm more surprised that 
minutes after Bellatrix has murdered Sirius, Harry still can't work 
up enough desire to see her writhe in pain to really make it happen.  
And I'm very happy.  He's a profoundly good person.

Marco wrote:

>the curser (can't remember if it was Lupin or the fake Mad Eye) 
didn't seem to hate the spider... 

It was Barty Jr., and I'd say the keys to how he could summon up the 
hatred to perform Cruciatus are: (1) he hated the Longbottoms, and 
knows that by demonstrating this curse he's also tormenting Neville; 
(2) he's just a sadistic son of a bitch, the type that hates 
everything around him and loves to take it out on whatever innocent 
beast strays into his path.  People do manage to hate animals and 
torture them horribly just for fun.

> 4. What do you think of the way JKR portrays the MoM - and 
government > in general? 

Kelly G. wrote:

> I could see some of this coming, although I was surprised just how 
far Fudge was willing to go to cover up V's return. 

Hm.  I doubt it is a case of "covering up."  Fudge is really, 
genuinely blind to what has happened.  He would rather doubt 
Dumbledore's and Harry's word than accept the possibility that V is 
back–especially if the alternative is to believe that one of the 
MoM's/wizarding world's wealthiest supporters is a DE.  And that 
willful blindness has a ring of truth, not just for politicians.  We 
all find it easier to believe things that don't disrupt our world.

Of course, YMMV, and maybe on rereading I will find evidence that 
Fudge is more cynical than self-deluded.

Jenny asked re: Percy:
> What will become of him now? 

He'll eat a big plate of fudge-covered crow, and I for one will enjoy 
watching.

Amy Z