Who will betray the order

[arrowsmithbt]

No: HPFGUIDX 82867

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "jwcpgh" <jwcpgh at y...> wrote:
> Laura:
> 
> I know that this was a summary, and most helpful one, but it still 
> begs the question-will there be a betrayal at all, and if so, why?
> 
> I'm not sure what Harry could learn at this point from (yet another) 
> betrayal.  He's already experienced quite a few:  he was thoroughly 
> taken in by Tom Riddle, he goes through the whole "Sirius or Peter" 
> business in PoA, he thinks Mad Eye has betrayed him in GoF, and 
> Marietta rats out the DA in OoP.  So what would be the point of more 
> of the same?  
> 
> And if you like the betrayal theory, Kneasy, who do you think it 
> will be?  I notice you carefully didn't commit yourself in your 
> post.  Are you being uncharacteristically diplomatic or 
> just...um...sneaky?  <g>


Cunning, maybe; sneaky? Well, we'll see in due course.

I'm obviously looking at potential plot developments from a very
different angle from your own viewing stance.

Why must everything be a learning experience for Harry? This isn't
Pilgrim's Progress, you know. Or at least I hope it isn't. I've been
looking forward to each new book as an exciting addition to an
epic tale, not as a sociological study in juvenile emotional growth.
Sure, we are  watching Harry grow up, but IMO that is to provide
some continuity to the tale, not an end in itself.

The WW is a very tight society; everyone knows everybody else, most
are related to each other even if distantly and the attitudes of ancestors
seem to carry over into the following generations. In some respects it 
can almost be considered as one big, extended, not so happy family. 

In these circumstances I believe that it is the mindset and previous
interactions of the individuals that matters, not the wide, all embracing
universal principles. To a significant extent I think JKR is pointing us
firmly in this direction. Families and bloodlines seem to matter a lot.
The number of characters that follow in the family footsteps so far
as behaviour and  beliefs are concerned seems disproportionately large.
Throughout the books, if you know something about a characters
family you can be pretty sure about where they stand on most of the
issues that arise.

When someone acts 'out of character' it is 'out of their family norm'.
Hence the shock horror at the behaviour of Percy, the  ostracism of
Sirius, the puzzle of Snape. He really  doesn't belong among those
that form the Order, he doesn't fit.

Then into all this comes Voldemort.

I look on him not as the cause, but as the catalyst. Attitudes that have
caused friction for years suddenly have a focus; rather like a speck of
dust falling into a super-saturated solution, crystalisation occurs.
People take sides, not because of right or wrong, but because of what
they already are. Their roles were cast long before Voldy appeared.

In these circumstances, (a close, almost inbred society with a long history
of bickering, backbiting and antipathy), to individuals, with any scores to
settle, it must seem like a backstabbers  benefit. IMO betrayal is most 
likely to be the result of a search for revenge against an individual, not 
an impersonal action to cause generalised mayhem among the opposition. 

Revenge is a motive that anyone can understand and appreciate, 
particularly among families that act as if they were  in Renaissance Italy, 
not the suburbs of England.

Why would Remus back Voldy? I can't think of a reason, but I  can see
him being anti-Sirius, given the right circumstances. Similarly Snape; why
is he anti-Voldy? The DEs are his spiritual home, why leave? Not from
principle, I'm sure of that. I'm sure that to find the motivations of anyone
who does the dirty, look into their past, you'll be sure to find a root cause
that is based on previous personal interactions.

Who do I  think is the least trustworthy? Harry, of course. He's almost
being set up for it. Stroppy teenager, unsatisfied with everything that
happens, argumentative, uncomfortable with his role, starting to have
doubts about Dumbledore and his previous (in)actions. A prime 
candidate for disaffection; expect Harry to do something incredibly
stupid or foolish. He can be got at.

(I do have an outsider as a possibility, but I won't be posting my thoughts
on that one just yet.)

In respect of this, I've never been satisfied with Peter's excuses for his
betrayal of James and Lily. Threats from Voldy don't seem to be sufficient, 
given his situation.

Envy, maybe?

Kneasy