Peter's basic nature v Snape basic nature/ Which one is worse? Pure speculat

[a_svirn]

No: HPFGUIDX 145146

> Magpie:
> 
> I don't think Draco's line about getting farther than anyone 
thought 
> and having Dumbledore in his power are just about being tempted by 
> power--I think they're more important than that.  Draco is telling 
> himself that he has power in the scene, he has done better than 
> expected at Voldemort's task and has Dumbledore at his mercy--but 
then 
> he starts to lower his wand anyway--iow, he could maybe have that 
> glory; if he lowers his wand he's choosing DD instead. The 
position 
> of "power" Draco reminds himself that he has there makes his 
> consideration of mercy worth more.  He's proved something in 
getting 
> himself to this point, but must choose what step he wants to take 
> now.  I think he's being offered and is tempted by mercy (implying 
> responsibility for what he's done and acknowledging this isn't 
> something Dumbledore owes him) there and not just acting out of 
self-
> protection.   That last scene--Dumbledore's last scene--seem to be 
all 
> about exactly that to me.  The scene is, imo, not a political one 
but 
> one connected to the more important themes of the series.
> 
> -m
>

Draco started to lower his wand after Dumbledore said that it was 
his, Dumbledore's, mercy that counted. And he didn't actually lower 
his wand; he dropped it by a fraction. He still deliberated when 
Death Eaters came. (And was about to cast an AK when Snape came). 
And if he had chosen Dumbledore's side, it would have been because 
Dumbledore offered him an escape. The other reasons be it mercy, 
morality etc. can apply. Indeed one hopes that they do apply. But 
there is no indication in the whole episode that it is necessarily 
the case. 

a_svirn