Molly's Shortcomings

[darrin_burnett]

No: HPFGUIDX 66182


Cindy:

> I'm afraid I really have to agree.  The problem, as I see it, is that 
> JKR intends for us to like Molly.  My reading of her from the first 
> four books was generally favorable, and it seems that many HPfGU 
> members feel similarly.  Her main job was taking care of her family, 
> which is fine.  Then, at the end of GoF, we are given an indication 
> that Molly will be integral to the fight against Voldemort.


Not only did I really like Molly at the end of GoF, I was prepared for that like to 
keep increasing. 

My two "choked up with emotion" moments in the entire series are 1) Neville 
getting the House Points to put Gryff over the top in PS/SS and 2) Harry nearly 
breaking down on Molly's shoulder at the end of GoF. (I kind of like the "You 
solved it! You solved it! moment in CoS too)

I really thought she'd take on more of the motherly role, and I guess she has, 
but she's treating Harry like he's 6 and treating other parental figures like 
Sirius and Lupin like they aren't good enough. 

 
> Yeah, that's true.  But that's also very realistic.  Lots of mothers 
> take visible pride in the accomplishments of their children, so I 
> found this part of Molly's OoP characterization right on target.  
> Indeed, if Molly had shrugged off Ron's appointment as prefect, 
> *that* would have been out of character.  Indeed, if we are to 
> believe Ron is under pressure to stand out like his brothers, then 
> Molly's subtle pressure for him to be Head Boy is right on target.

That whole "everyone in the famliy has been a prefect" bit in front of Fred and 
George really torked me off, too.

OK, maybe Fred and George haven't lived up to your expectations (at that 
point, anyway; they are doing well at the end) but Christ, to cut them off from 
the family like that is a little much.

> 
> Frankly, though, I would have liked it much better had Ron been a 
> prefect and Hermione had not.  Then Hermione would have had to look 
> to Ron to enforce the rules despite his reluctance to be in a 
> position of authority.
> 


That would have been fascinating, but I don't see any way around making 
Hermione a prefect. Certainly Lavender and Parvati pale in comparison.

Darrin
-- Not sure how rich Fred and George really are. It would be just like those 
goofs to buy stuff like dragon-hide suits when they really should be re-
investing.