Punishing Marietta

[nkafkafi]

No: HPFGUIDX 120866


>Del wrote:
> Now let's say that I'm completely enthusiastic about the group, but I
> really really don't want to risk, say, my parents discovering about
> it. Ernie might think that Hermione's word of keeping the list secret
> is enough, but I don't agree with him. What should I do? If I don't
> sign it, then I automatically become suspect by not wanting to admit I
> was even there, even if in fact I'm enthusiastic about the group and
> all I want is to avoid any risk of anyone ever discovering what I'm
up to.

Neri:
Aren't you are asking too much? The group is obviously something that
the Ministry won't like. You can't be enthusiastic about it, or even
just be in it, and also avoid any risk. This is why choices like this
are difficult. Because they involve risk. 

Hermione made it very plain that by signing they agree not to tell
(the magic probably wouldn't have worked if she didn't). Not only
Ernie, but also Smith had qualms about it, so it is obvious that
signing wasn't mandatory. If Marietta were honest, she would have
refused to sign it. Yes, it would have automatically made her become
suspect, but rightly so. If you are not ready to commit yourself to
secrecy, you make yourself suspect for breaking it.

You are making a good case about Marietta being just a weak person who
was caught between contradicting loyalties, but this is life, and this
is war. Hermione had to take precautions, for the good of the whole
group, that a single sneak would find it hard to betray them all, and
she did just that. NOT doing it would have been failing to protect all
the rest of the group. It would have been wrongdoing towards Ernie,
Susan, Lavender, Neville, Ron and all the other members.

Neri