Draco = Evil?(was: Elkins' Draco Malfoy Is Ever So Lame. )

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 124916


>>Betsy:
>And he's been set upon by a mob, which is repulsive to me.  I 
despise mob justice.< 
 
>>Alla:
>I am assuming that when you say "mob justice" you mean fight at the 
end of GoF. It is funny that usually I also despise mob justice, but 
as I said before I absolutely don't mind what Draco got from 
Gryffindors. I guess it is because I think that Draco brought it upon 
himself  and therefore richly deserved it. NOBODY invited him to 
Gryffs appartment and especially nobody was interested in listening 
to his threats to Hermione.<

Betsy:
Yes - I was talking about the end of GoF and the end of OotP (and you 
could throw in the fight in OotP too).  OotP could be excused.  
Maybe.  He and Crabbe and Goyle attempted to ambush Harry and a 
larger group overpowered them.  There's an element of defense there 
that was missing in the GoF scene.  Which was highly revolting to 
me.  I don't think Draco or Crabbe or Goyle even grabbed their 
wands.  Plus, they were attacked from behind by wizards two years 
their senior, plus, they were stepped on while unconscious, plus, 
they were never checked on, no adult was notified.  It was all rather 
cold-blooded and ruthless, to my mind.

>>Alla: 
> Could Gryffs handled it better? Sure, I guess. But I firmly believe 
that they were provoked by death threats to Hermione, therefore again 
hurt/comfort fails spectacularly in my eyes. "Just deserts", 
definitely.<

Betsy:
They could have handled it like Gryffindors.  There was nothing brave 
or honorable in their attack.  The whole, "death threat," argument is 
fairly weak to me.  Typical justification of mob justice, 
actually.  "He had it coming," is a popular excuse.

>>Alla: 
>So, yes, even if Draco loses spectacularly. I cannot remember single 
occasion where he loses UNFAIRLY. Even when he was turned into 
ferret, he started a fight, remeber? :o)<

Betsy:
Draco started a fight with *Harry*.  Harry didn't turn Draco into a 
ferret, a teacher with a grudge against his father, did that.  Draco 
*always* loses unfairly.  He's always set upon by much greater odds 
or by adult wizards with far greater skill.

It's bizarre to me, Alla, that you can get so outraged about Snape 
taking away points from Harry for admitting to fighting in the halls, 
but when Draco is caught doing the same thing you're all for physical 
and emotional punishment of a fairly extreme nature.  Obviously, you 
feel Draco is evil - should be shot at dawn.  Why?  

>>Alla: 
>So,punishment can be very over the top, but since I don't think that 
general idea of the punishment was unfair at all, I cannot sympathise 
with Draco much. I mean, it is a cruel punishment for sure, but the 
initial offense was bad enough.<

Betsy:
Draco shot a hex at Harry.  And he missed!  No one was hurt.  Heck, 
the twins have done worse to people they *like*.  Draco calls people 
names, he writes cruel songs about them, he may design a few badges.  
Has Draco ever physically hurt anyone? He gets pounded on, all the 
time.  And the punishment has never come close to fitting the crime.  

>>Alla:
>I also don't see Draco as underdog. I see Snape favouring him over 
and over again during his lessons.<

Betsy:
Yes, one teacher quite likes Draco.  One.  In the entire school. Who 
does Harry have on his side?  Oh yes, the *headmaster*.  Plus, the 
one, lone teacher who likes Draco is charged with protecting Harry's 
life.  Weigh them on the scales, Draco is still very much, the 
underdog.

Betsy