The Twins

[Geoff Bannister]

No: HPFGUIDX 145055

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Sherry Gomes" <sherriola at e...> 
wrote:
>
> Something I've been meaning to put forth is that I think Fred and 
George are
> going to 
> be highly useful in Book 7. There seem to have been many hints 
dropped in
> several of 
> the books about how despite their playful goofy natures, these guys 
can do
> some 
> seriously good and inventive magic. I really expect them to come up 
with
> something 
> important for Book 7. Does anyone else feel this way? 
> 
> kchuplis
> 
> 
> Sherry
> actually, i've been thinking about that recently, too.  i've been 
trying to
> reread HBP.  i tend to only go so far and then come to a screeching 
halt,
> since i know what is coming.  Same reaction I have to OOTP.  But 
anyway,
> i've been marveling at the talent the twins must have.  how on 
earth did
> they do so badly on their OWLS?  All their products show great 
skill in
> things like charms, transfiguration and even potions.  of course, 
there have
> been a lot of brilliant people and great inventors who were not 
educated in
> terms of someone like Hermione would consider being educated.  They 
do think
> outside the box, and I think they must really be quite brilliant.

Geoff:
I have to say that there are times when I become very suspicious of 
the twins. I fear that their approach to things is often very amoral; 
they do not seem to worry about consequences, either to themselves or 
other people.

When they indulge in ridicule, whether it is deserved or not, it is 
often not intended to be funny (except to them perhaps) but to be 
demeaning or hurtful. I know that it is tradition for brothers to be 
nasty to each other but they really set out to embarrass both Ron and 
Percy as often and as deeply as they can and, also, they are plain 
rude to their mother when we first see them at the station in PS.

I am also concerned about this disinterest about consequences with 
their "experiments". What would have happened to Dudley if Arthur 
Weasley had not been on hand at the beginning of GOF? And the trials 
of their various joke sweets in OOTP? They were prepared to bribe the 
younger, impressionable students into trying out their inventions and 
the possibility of side effects didn't seem to worry them.

Maybe at this point in time, we can shrug off their antics as teenage 
high spirits but I do can see them letting things get way out of hand 
at a more serious level if they do not learn to self-regulate what 
they are doing in these areas.

I shall retire quietly behind the scenery while the GFFC (Gred and 
Forge Fan Club) members match by holding things they wish to throw at 
me.....