Draco's bigotry and leadership

[a_svirn]

No: HPFGUIDX 144691

> Betsy Hp:
> I can't help feeling you're trying to have it both ways.  Per you, 
> Draco is one of the more pathetic members of Slythern, and Blaise 
> dislikes him.  But at the same time Blaise *can't help* but hang 
> with Draco on the long journey to Hogwarts, making sure Draco is 
> comfortably situated, rather than sitting with his friends.  
Either 
> Draco is Blaise's friend, or Blaise fears offending him.

a_svirn:
Not at all. Blaise spent the entire journey in a much more 
interesting company than Draco and his sidekicks. He only had to 
endure their company for the last half an hour or so before 
Hogsmead, so why fuss about it? There are more subtle ways to even 
the score. I would even go so far as to say more Slytherin ways. 

Incidentally, I didn't call Draco pathetic. I said his childishness 
was pathetic for a sixteen year old. Which it was. Certainly Blaise 
seems more mature. 

And I don't try to have anything both ways. Rather I feel you are 
the one who tries to overdramatize situation with your 
favourite "either-or" type of argument. In reality there are acres 
and hectares of middle ground to be had. It is virtually impossible 
NOT to hang out with housemates in a boarding school, especially if 
they are your peers. You share your dormitory, the common room, the 
dining hall, even showers. You don't have to be friends with them. 
You don't have to like them or be in awe of them. And you would be a 
fool to let your dislike or irritation become obvious. Hermione 
tried to avoid or snub Ron and Lavender, didn't she? Ended up 
seriously reconsidering her strategy