[HPforGrownups] JKR's Messages (was Re: Hermione In Trouble?)

[Lucy Wooten]

No: HPFGUIDX 120750



Alla:


I suppose I may agree with you on principle, especially since 
punishment did not serve any helpful purpose for truly loyal DA 
members. I mean it served as deterring purpose, I guess and made an 
example of Marietta, something of look what happens to the traitors 
kind of thing, but it did not stop Umbridge from coming after them, 
if Kingsley would not interfere.



Esmereldah:

I guess Hermione wanted to remind people of just what Marietta did.  People sometimes have a tendency to forget or not to believe, especially if the culprit displays a personality people do not associate with the kind of person who could commit such a crime.  An example from the books is Lockhart.  The girl fooled Cho Chang and the rest as to her intent for a substantial period of time.  The fact that Chang still defends Marietta tells us that Marietta must be very persuasive.

Even if the traitor never tried anything like that again, Hermione couldn't afford to take that chance.