OOP: Something that disturbed me

[jillily3g]

No: HPFGUIDX 65313

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Wendy St John" 
<hebrideanblack at e...> wrote:
 
> Spedlegs4169 wrote:
> 
> "i think harry's use of the Cruciatus curse is completely 
justified.  
> Lestrange was "famous" for her use of the Cruciatus Curse on the 
> Longbottoms.  Harry did the curse for Neville, and for himself, 
> because Lestrange was the one that sent the spell at Sirius and 
> knocked him through the archway."
> 
> 
> Now me (Wendy):
> 
 In some ways,
> having a wand is like carrying a loaded gun. If someone chooses to 
carry a loaded weapon around, that person had better have a very 
clear head about when and how to use it. 

and:
 Harry faced off against Bella, wand drawn, and his gut reaction was 
a desire to cause pain, to which end he used an illegal, Dark curse. 
I will accept there are mitigating factors here - his age being the 
primary one, but also his emotional state at the time. But I am 
still not happy with the choice that he made. 


I've been following this argument for a while (though not completely-
-who can keep up??) and I'm just wondering, what would have been the 
appropriate response? They're in battle with DE's who have no 
compunction against using Unforgivable curses or killing. Bellatrix 
has proven that yet again and is escaping. Harry's supposed to 
rationally decide to use what? Petrificus Totalus? 

This reminds me of the 1988 U.S Presidential debate in which Gov. 
Dukakis said he would not favor the death penalty for someone who 
raped and murdered his wife. And if he were "there" with a "weapon" 
would he calmly and rationally /not/ use it? Even muggle laws make 
allowances for irrational thinking in extreme situations--and let's 
not forget, Harry was still "joined" with Voldemort. How many of his 
outbursts were teen angst-driven and how many influenced by LV?

Perhaps Harry will suffer a Raskolnikov-like burden of guilt, but I 
can't believe a rational (can we hope for one) Wizengamot could 
sentence him to Azkaban. Maybe a counselor? Although I can't 
determine any floor of St. Mungo's that would apply.

Beth