Whither Snape AND the Dursleys AND Umbridge? (was Re: Cultural standards...)

[lupinlore]

No: HPFGUIDX 144856


> Sydney:
> 
> I'm afraid I just can't go with the total destruction of a human 
being
> as the only satisfactory punishment for being sarcastic to 
children. 
> Sorry.



Ah, but was total ruination a satisfactory punishment for stealing 
the memories of others, as happened with Lockheart?  I would say it 
is.  Because it very nicely fit his crime, and so must the 
punishments of Snape, Umbridge, and the Dursleys.  Snape's punishment 
will not be obliviation, if that's what you mean, as that does not 
fit his crime.  However, his punishment will, I think, have a similar 
ring of finality -- not in that it will totally ruin him, he's going 
to die anyway, but in that it will poetically sum up his sins and 
deal with them.  

While we are on the subject, what then will be the punishment of 
Umbridge, we might ask?  Or for that matter, the Dursleys?  I have a 
feeling it will involve revelations from Petunia that will be 
devestating for her to make -- probably along the lines of what 
Dumbledore was corresponding with her about, which is part of the 
reason I think his appearance in the third chapter of HBP is part of 
a larger movement in the plot.  It fits nicely with the Howler in 
OOTP and may well segue into whatever happens in Book VII. We may 
even see a certain amount of salvation for Dudley, as JKR has hinted 
in that direction, as did Dumbledore (and of course "salvation" for 
Dudley might very well equal "ruination" in the Dursleys eyes).  
After all, we have yet to see the vaunted "protection" in action, and 
it seems beyond belief that JKR would just let it slip away without a 
few pyrotechnics.  

Oh, on the Old Testament Dumbledore.  God is the one who does the 
smiting in the Old Testament, not the prophets.  In a very real way, 
even God doesn't smite so often as he lets people smite themselves.  
The prophets, and I think Dumbledore in some ways is a very prophetic 
figure right down to the beard, generally warn people that their own 
actions are writing their doom, as they have transgressed the laws of 
God, and it is in the nature of God to let those that seek damnation 
find it.  Notice that blush on Petunia's face?  I think a message, a 
subtle one the contents of which we do not yet fully understand, was 
clearly recieved.


As to JKR not seeking justice for the sins of Umbridge, Snape, and 
the Dursleys -- frankly, all of this reminds me of opinions we heard 
before HBP.  "We will never hear about Harry's scar again, life isn't 
fair and he has to learn to deal with it.  Umbridge will NOT be 
returning, JKR has already pronounced sentence and dealt with that 
situation.  Dumbledore will never again make any mention of the 
Dursleys or their treatment of Harry."  Those all turned out to be 
completely mistaken, and I am quite confident that the idea that 
Snape will get off scot free, or that the Dursleys do not have some 
more paying to do, or that Umbridge will simply slip along without 
more torture, will turn out to be completely mistaken as well.


Lupinlore