Draco's Intent (was Re: What if other teachers behaved like Snape?)

[jenny_ravenclaw]

No: HPFGUIDX 101329

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "arrowsmithbt" <
arrowsmithbt at b...> wrote:
 
> Ah, but would a couple of teenagers dressed in a sheet believe that they 
> would have the same mental effect on Harry as a real Dementor? Unlikely.
> So far as I can see, they know Harry passed out in the Express in the
> presence of a Dementor, but do not necessarily appreciate just how
> much more intensely Harry was affected by, let's  call it the creatures
> mental field.  
> 
> I've always read this passage as an attempt at distracting Harry, maybe 
> even hoping he'd fly away from the Quidditch grounds. Then would come
> the jeering - "Yah! Frightened of a piece of cloth!" But it backfired, it wasn't
> the sight of a Dementor that affected Harry, it was the mental effects.
> And since there weren't any mental effects it couldn't work.>

Sorry to respond so late to this, but I only have access to the list at work.  My 
computer at home is fried.

What makes Draco's behavior so reprehensible here to me is not even so 
much that he hopes Harry will faint, but that he has no respect or sympathy 
for what other kids might be going through.  He couldn't care less that the 
Dementors cause Harry a great deal of anguish; he wants to make it all a big 
joke.  He shows the same apathy towards the Weasleys' financial situation 
and Hermione's Muggle heritage.  He's petty and malicious.

Of course, he conveniently forgot that he was terrified of them himself, but 
that's what makes him such a shmuck.

And to think I used to defend him!

--jenny from ravenclaw ************************************************************