Bad news ... for Slytherins- The Good Slytherin

[a_reader2003]

No: HPFGUIDX 98573

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Steve" <bboy_mn at y...> wrote:
> --- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "a_reader2003"

bboy_mn:

Exactly how does this new information about Theodore Nott cancel out
or diminish the possibility of a 'Good Slytherin'. In my view, the new
information re-enforces the likelihood that T. Nott is indeed the Good
Slytherin.

Carolyn:
Well, in the best tradition of HPfGU responses, your snipping removed 
further supporting evidence on the true nature of the Slytherin 
character. I wrote about Mafalda, the dropped Weasley cousin, that 
she was going to be  'a nasty little witch in Slytherin, clever, but 
also nosy, eavesdropping and liking to impress.' Apparently she was 
going to be greatly disliked by the Weasley family, who were going to 
have her dumped on them by their muggle relatives. This little 
charmer sounded spot on for the house we love to hate, although 
posing yet another dilemma for Snape. A true Slytherin by nature, but 
regrettably not a pureblood *and* connected to the Weasleys. Would 
have been fun to see what he did with that, but alas..

bboy_mn:
Theodore Nott has never been part of Draco's crowd. He is clearly far
too intelligent and independant to be one of Draco's 'hanger ons'. He
doesn't seem like someone to be swayed by Death Eater dogma and
rhetoric. He strikes me, from the limited information we have, as
being someone who is capable of independant thinking, and able to make
up his own mind.

Carolyn:
Whoa! hang on there. As you say, we have very little information 
about him, in fact really only this new snippet on JKR's new website. 
She says Theodore and Draco discuss what the DEs think of Dumbledore, 
whilst at the Malfoy manor. She also says Theodore is Malfoy's social 
equal, and more intelligent (which isn't difficult). This does not 
mean he repudiates his own father's views, or those of the DEs in 
general. If anything, because he's a clever Slytherin, he is liable 
to be even more effective in thinking of ways of fighting Dumbledore -
 and probably won't share them with Draco.

bboy_mn:
I have always thought that any intelligent person in the wizard world,
that is, any person not blinded by lust for power and greed, should be
able to see that Voldemort, while rich and powerful, would be a
totally incompetent leader of the wizard world. 
(snip)

With Voldemort as ruler, I see commerce and economy in chaos and ruin,
and that does not bode well for an ambitious young Slytherin who plans
on getting rich.

Carolyn:
Regrettably, you are imposing your own thoughts and wishes here. Even 
in the current WW, with Voldie supposedly in exile, a corrupt and 
silly MoM flourishes, which routinely gags the press, holds kangaroo 
courts and plays fast and loose with the education system. 
Intelligent people in the WW are apparently going along with this. 
Commerce and the economy currently exclude the participation of non- 
and part-humans, and a popular route to power is via landed estates 
and/or toadying for political advancement (*ahem*, Percy). Voldemort 
would undoubtedly reinforce many of these dubious practices, but 
Theodore Nott, as part of a pureblood elite and the intelligent son 
of a DE is in a better position than most to survive in such 
conditions. He would have no interest in a peasants revolution.

bboy_mn:
So, I can see Theodore Nott joining the DA Club. Not because he is a
great Harry or Dumbledore supporter, but because he can see the chaos
that is coming and wants to be able to defend himself. 
(snip)
It's in Dumbledore's world that real long
lasting fortunes and economic power are to be had.

Carolyn:
I think that Theodore's father is well able to teach his son not only 
to defend himself, but to attack as well. Theodore has no need to 
join the DA, with all the loyalty/alignment risks that carries. The 
only reason I could think of for him doing so would be as a spy. This 
would be a fine sub-plot, since we are still not certain of Snape's 
true allegiance. Snape would presumably be both in on the plot to 
infiltrate Theodore, and be reporting it to Dumbledore.. or would he? 
Perhaps Theodore's father does not trust Snape, and encourages his 
son in the initiative as a private venture.

As to the economic advantages accruing from the values of 
Dumbledore's world (based on equal opportunity, support for the under-
dog, muggle relations etc), so far the jury appears to be out on the 
correlation in RL. Its not difficult to think of oppressive regimes 
which nevertheless sit astride economic prosperity. Such prosperity 
tends to come from lucky possession of useful assets, and/or focused 
commercial investment, and aggressive policies towards invaders and 
insurgents.  Whatever the basis of the WW economy, Voldie seems well 
up to pursuing such strategies.

bboy_mn:
Ok, admittedly, I've filled in the blanks with a lot of speculation,
(snip)

Carolyn:
Tsk tsk.. and I thought speculation was only for the rabid theorists 
out here <g>.

bboy_mn:
In the book, we only see a few Slytherins who seem truly loyal to
Draco, 
(snip)
You don't need Draco for a friend, but more so, you REALLY REALLY 
don't want him as an enemy.

Carolyn:
Whilst this is undoubtedly true, I think it masks the political 
maneuvering that is going on between their various fathers. Draco is 
a flyweight. What matters is what Lucius is up to, and who is with 
him and who is against. It will be fascinating to see whether 
Voldemort is undone by his chief henchman, or whether he has him 
taped. Voldemort is such an ineffective, paranoid and un-frightening 
baddie that I doubt if he would survive even if Harry wasn't destined 
to zap him. Whether the WW survives the aftermath of VW2 will depend 
a good deal on the relative positions of his supporters and the other 
WW ruling classes.

Finally, prompted by thoughts of Voldemort's agenda, a general point 
on what we may, or may not have learnt from the new JKR website. 
Personally, although I joined in the fun filling my scrapbook, on 
reflection I think that the site is part of a very sophisticated PR 
strategy to manage and control expectations about the last two books. 
The expectations are now so great that it is almost inevitable that 
people may be disappointed by what eventually happens. By leaking 
bits and pieces, and judiciously despatching a juicy theory or two by 
controlled denials, the number of options as to what might happen in 
the end become inevitably more limited over the next couple of years. 
Whilst I don't think for a moment she will give away the central 
kernel of the plot, by adopting this strategy she can nevertheless 
create a climate which guides the reader to seeing that the series is 
really about XXX. It will be interesting to see if the ploy has any 
effect on the fans!

Carolyn