[HPforGrownups] Re: Peter's basic nature v Snape basic nature/ Which one is worse? Pure speculat

[Magpie]

No: HPFGUIDX 145152

a_svirn:
> 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.


Magpie:

I agree it's intentionally up in the air what will happen next--though he 
was not about to cast an AK when Snape comes in.  I believe we're told that 
he's shaking so bad he can't even aim.  Dumbledore is correct right from the 
beginning that he's not going to kill anybody.

But I agree it's not in any way a scene of Draco switches sides--the book 
ends with him with the DEs but with a glimpse into what's going on inside 
that may become important.  Dumbledore's words may or may not turn out to 
have an effect later, but I think his last words were about something more 
important than just a minor strategic move in tempting the Malfoy kid with 
escape--that's perhaps, imo, why it's important the book doesn't end with 
Malfoy escaping.

-m