Punishing (Draco) (was:Re: Snape, Hagrid and Animals)

[Ceridwen]

No: HPFGUIDX 143822

lealess:
> I came to a disturbing conclusion this afternoon, one which I would
> like to be wrong about, so ... bring it on!
> 
> It seems to me that the Slytherins in the HP series fill the role of
> certain traditionally scapegoated groups in our real life society.
> Slytherins are portrayed as cunning and materialistic.  They hold
> themselves separate, not always voluntarily, from the innocent and 
the
> respectable wizards who are "just like us" (brave, loyal,
> intelligent).  Slytherins are often presumed to have ulterior
> motives, and will deal in dark ways and slanted means.  They stick
> together against others.  Finally, their combined actions result in
> the death of the god-like Dumbledore.  So, they deserve everything
> they get, don't they?  They commit the ultimate sins.

Ceridwen:
I doubt that this is the way the story will go.  I don't have any 
canon to back me up on this, though.

But, in an interview, JKR said that the houses each represent the 
elements our society deems necessary for balance (extremely 
parphrased).  Since this is the author's intent, then the 'scapegoat' 
house won't happen.  Instead, it will be integrated back into the 
whole, and everyone will be better for it.

And, Our Heroes will learn that everyone has their place, and that 
ambition etc. has its place, right alongside bravery and intelligence 
and loyalty.

lealess:
> I am hoping that, in the end, JKR will show that bravery can lead to
> injustice as easily as to nobility.  I am hoping that, in the end,
> ambition will be shown to not exclude making choices based on
> morality.  Hooray house unity!  But I wonder if the Slytherins will
> have to discard part of themselves to make it happen.

Ceridwen:
I think she's already shown that bravery can lead to unnecessary 
danger.  And, though Bellatrix isn't a Hufflepuff, that blind loyalty 
can be dangerous as well.  Bravery = Injustice?  Yes, if the brave 
hero jumps in blindly, with emotion instead of fact.  How many brave 
souls have died for a faulty ideal in the millenia of Man's existence?

Changing topic:
I, too, came to a disturbing conclusion.  Though it is of much less 
cosmic importance than the Redemption of Slytherin House, which IMO 
will probably actually be a change in perception on the part of the 
other houses.  After reading the Hagrid the Bad Teacher thread, and 
agreeing that Hagrid is too close to his subject to realize its 
potential for harm, I began to wonder...

Aragog is dead.  Hagrid has no fear of the animals that live in the 
Forbidden Forest.  Aragog says in CoS, p. 279, paperback Scholastic 
(US): "My sons and daughters do not harm Hagrid, on my command..."

Aragog has a lot of children.  Will his children forget his command 
now that he is dead, and find Hagrid a tasty banquet at some point in 
book 7?  Though no one has called for retribution against Hagrid's 
admittedly poor teaching (through his zeal for the subject, not 
meanness), would this be the sort of retribution one might expect if 
he were to be punished?  Because it goes to the heart of his problem -
 his trust and lack of fear of dangerous creatures.

Just thought I'd mention it, since this is about things we'd rather 
not see but wonder if we might.

Ceridwen, who can't see bravery without ambition anyway.