The Twins / Weasleys / Percy

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 145292

> >>Betsy Hp:
> > > I was unclear, sorry.  I'm talking about the Christmas gnome:
> > > 
> > > "Fred, George, Harry, and Ron were the only ones who knew that
> > > the angel on top of the tree was actually a garden gnome that
> > > had bitten Fred on the ankle ..." (HBP p.329-330)
> > > 
> > > It struck me as a rather involved and sadistic sort of revenge 
> > > ...
 
> >>Gerry
> > I agree, it made me feel really uncomfortable too. Bit if you
> > want to make Fred and George sadistic people because of this,
> > then so are Harry and Ron, because they do nothing to prevent
> > it or to excgange the gnome for the real angel. 

Betsy Hp:
I think for me it's that the twins were the ones to come up with the 
gnome punishment.  I don't think that sort of idea would have 
occured to either Ron or Harry on their own.  Though I also think 
the twins are a bit of a bad influence on them.  It's interesting 
because if it hadn't been the twins, if say Harry had heard that the 
Slytherin Christmas tree angel was a frozen gnome, I think he'd have 
had no problem seeing the wrong in it.  But since it the twins, and 
they're jolly lads, it's all good.

I think Ron's verbal cruelty springs from the example his brothers 
set as well.  And by teasing Moaning Myrtle as much as he did when 
she first mentioned a boy crying in the bathroom, Ron keeps Harry 
from questioning her further and finding out about Malfoy in a less 
confrontational manner.  I like Ron, but Luna is right: sometimes 
he's funny, but sometimes he's just cruel.  And I think he gets it 
from the twins, myself.

> >>bboyminn:
> Well, I have to admit that the Angel/Gnome incident made me cringe
> too, but for my own warped twisted thoughts more than the Twins
> actions. The minute I read that, my thoughts went to the method of
> securing the gnome to the tree accompanied by very unpleasant      
> visions involving 'body cavities'. 
> <snip>
> The Twins certainly engage in some childishly cruel activities,   
> and I certainly don't approve of the way the are treating Percy,   
> but really, have they actually done anyone any harm? 
> <snip>

Betsy Hp:
Lasting harm?  Well, the puffskein is certainly dead, and Ron still 
has an unhealthy fear of spiders to this day.  Percy has left the 
Weasley household, though we're not sure if it's for good.  

It's not lasting harm, but both Katie and Montague had to go the 
hospital wing after the twins got done with them.  And Draco was 
certainly bruised and battered after George (and Harry) were done 
with him.  And I'm not sure how healthy it is for any creature to 
withstand being stupified for a long period of time.

You brought up the ton-tongue incident, and I think there *is* a 
lasting effect there.  Arthur tried to point it out, but the twins 
have such little respect for their father they didn't listen, and 
Molly was very quick to stomp all over Arthur's point.  There is a 
tension between wizards and muggles.  The Dursleys hate wizards, 
think they're untrustworthy and dangerous.  The twins proved their 
fears beautifully.  And the twins also showed that they have no 
worries about attacking someone so much weaker than them.  Actually, 
that seems to be their usual M.O.  At least, IMO.

Betsy Hp