Slughorn makes me uneasy

[lealess]

No: HPFGUIDX 138331

Many people have tried to cultivate Harry throughout the books.  There
have been numerous students, through flattery or love potions. 
Lockhart is one example of a professor, trying to draw Harry in to
share in reflected fame.  Scrimgeour is another adult example, trying
to draw Harry in to support the Ministry line.  Not surprisingly,
Slughorn is also interested in Harry, primarily because he is the
Chosen One of the moment.  Vis-a-vis Harry, these characters and their
motivations are all suspect, and Harry knows enough to stay away from
them.

Slughorn is drawn as a hedonist and cultivator of what he thinks are
talented students.  He is not only interested in Harry.  I suppose his
character shows Slytherin scheming for position, as well as Slytherin
elitism.  But seeing as how this character was no doubt based on a
real-life gay man and may actually be a fairly good characterization
of that professor, it disturbs me that people jump to the conclusion
that he must also be a sinister pedophile.  His motivations may be
more benign.

When Harry pursues Slughorn, the professor backs away.  I am not sure
a pedophile would have done that.  On the other hand, pedophilia is
about power as much as anything else, I believe (no expert here).  I
think lies and coercion can also play a role.  So... is Slughorn
really seeking power over students to achieve some kind of
gratification, or is he seeking influence to help him further down
along in life, or is he just content with the knowledge that he helped
students by introducing them to other talented people and furthering
their ambitions?  Why not the latter?

One more thing: Slughorn wouldn't even be at Hogwarts if Dumbledore
hadn't dangled Harry in front of him, as a tempting addition to his
collection of students with potential for big achievement.  I will
never argue that Dumbledore's choices for professors have been the
best.  Slughorn didn't seem to be the worst, however.

lealess