The Sneak Mark (was "Slytherin" Hermione?)

[theotokos]

No: HPFGUIDX 112777

Tonks wrote:
>>And to answer Hunter Green: I think the difference between what Marietta did and what Wormtail did is a matter of degree. The basic action was the same.<<

 
>HunterGreen:
And I still disagree. Wormtail willingly joined a group that had the GOAL of fighting a specific impression. Marietta was going along with the crowd to join a DADA group, which LATER became against the rules and LATER became an 'anti-Umbridge/anti-Ministry' group of sorts. I know the group was never supposed to be 'advertised' to Umbridge, but it wasn't supposed to be fighting her, at least not from what Marietta was led to believe. [snip]<
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Theotokos:
 
The group *was* anti-Umbridge in the sense that it was against her way of teaching:
 
"I had the idea--that it might me good if people who wanted to study Defense Against the Dark Arts--and I mean, really study it, you know, not the rubbish that Umbridge is doing with us" snip "because nobody could call that Defense Against the Dark Arts"[snip]"well, I thought it would be good if we, well, took matters into our own hands."(p.339)
 
"We think the reason Umbridge doesn't want us trained in Defense Against the Dark Arts," said Hermione, "is that she's got some... some mad idea that Dumbledore could use the students in the school as a kind of private army.  She thinks he'd mobilize us against the Ministry." (p.344)
 
However, I think the group was more than that. People have been posting that it was not anti-LV and it was only about passing O.W.L.s and such but that is not true:
 
"You want to pass your Defense Against the Dark Arts O.W.L too though, I bet?" said Michael Corner, who was watching her closely.
"Of course I do," said Hermione at once.  "But I want more than that, I want to be properly trained in Defense because... because ..." She took a great breath and finished, "Because Lord Voldemort's back." [snip people gasping] "Well...thats the plan anyway," said Hermione.  "If you want to join us, we need to decide how we're going to--"(p.340)
 
There was never any secret what the true intention was.  Even toward the end of the book when Neville, Luna, and Ginny are insisting to go the MOM with HR&H to rescue Sirius, the *whole point* of the DA is brought up:
 
"We were all in the D.A. together," said Neville quietly. "It was all supposed to be about fighting You-Know-Who, wasn't it?" (pg.761)
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>HunterGreen:

I don't think Marietta thought it was wrong to betray the DA; I think she thought telling Umbridge was the right thing to do. She knew of a group of kids who were breaking school and Ministry policies, and thought it was wrong to keep that a secret. [snip] I think she did what *she* thought was right, which took quite a bit of moral strength (although she was severely misguided, [snip]<
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Theotokos:
 
I don't think Marietta cared a flip for right or wrong.  I think she never liked Harry, and never wanted Cho to like Harry. Cho had been upset with Harry's insensitivity towards her emotional needs but forgave him after the interview came out in the Quibbler. I think Marietta wanted to split them up.
 
"Cho had just smiled at him and sat down on Ron's right.  Her friend, who had curly reddish-blonde hair, did not smile, but gave Harry a thoroughly mistrustful look that told Harry plainly that, given her way, she would not be here at all." (p.339)
 
There are several other instances when Marietta glares at Harry while in the presence of Cho.  She doesn't like him and doesn't want Cho to like him.
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Tonks:
>>Also, after the kids signed the paper "there was an odd feeling in the group now. It was as thought they had just signed some kind of contract." (p.347)<<

HunterGreen:
>It may have *felt* like it, but the fact that its mentioned "*as though* they had just signed some kind of contract." (emphasis mine) would imply that its NOT a contract, otherwise that statement doesn't make sense.<

Tonks:
>>As to Hermione, it would have been courteous of her to tell the others about the jinx. It is typical Hermione behavior to assume that what she does is the best thing without taking counsel from anyone. She must have had some concern that someone might tell or she would not have done it.<<

HunterGreen:
>Yes, well, I think it being typical of Hermione is what the thread is about. On occasion she can be very ruthless. In this case, I don't think it was fair, but I agree that its in her character to do something like this.<

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Theotokos:
I agree with Tonks on just about everything so far.  The group was told what the slant would be, they were asked not to tell and Hermione *did* emphasize the agreement they were making and it's importance.  It has been cited before but this is important:
 
"So if you sign, you're *agreeing NOT to tell Umbridge*--or anybody else--what we're up to." (emphasis mine, p.346)
Harry saw Cho's friend give her a rather reproachful look before adding her name. (p347)  
BUT she did add her name and she heard all Hermione said.  She changed her mind later obviously but she was already committed.  It is not for Hermione to have to decipher a persons intentions now and/or later.  It is for that person to listen to the situation and make their own choice.  Marietta did that.  I also agree it is in Hermione's character to do something like this but I have a different opinion of that character.  Hermione expects everyone to have a brain and use it.  She gripes at Harry and Ron all the time for not thinking things through.  Hermione expects the people in the Hog's Head to agree or not sign.  Far be it for her to make that decision for them--they are free to use their own minds.  (I wish she would be more like that with House elves--different thread)  Discussion of a contract is meaningless.  These are 15 year old and younger kids.  The legality of a contract is irrelevant in their experience.  Promises and deceit are ideas they can grasp.  Besides, they
 just big zits.  They make a point.  Marietta sticks out now, she has to reckon with what she did.  There is no pretending about it now.  She has to face herself in the mirror and if she is honest with herself, she will know she has noone to blame but herself.
 
Theotokos






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