Child Abuse (Draco) (was Re: Christmas present pattern...)

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 131835

> >>Lupinlore:
> <snip>
> Nope, not child abuse when between child and child.  

> >>Irene: 
> Goodness me, do you have the exact rules? Like what's the         
> age difference that you'd allow for it not to be abuse?           
> Weight difference? What if one of them is a boxing champion? Boy  
> vs girl? Two against one?
> <snip>

Betsy Hp:
Well, we know Lupinlore approves of, and in fact cheers for, two on 
one violence. (Though I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and 
suggest that maybe his memory of that particular scene is a bit 
faulty?)

> >>Lupinlore (in message # 131808)
> <snip>
> ...I most heartily approve of Harry beating Draco into a          
> quivering, whimpering pulp).

Betsy Hp:
Because in this scene (as in practically every other instance when 
Harry bests Draco) the fight is completely unfair.  (OotP scholastic 
hardback ed. p.413)  For one, Harry is still clutching the snitch in 
the fist he uses to punch Draco with.  That could conceivably be 
equated with weighting your fist with a stack of quarters or other 
such dirty-fighting tactics.

For another, Harry has a partner in his beating of Draco.  George 
Weasley.  Remember, George is seventeen years old and a beater.  
Draco is fifteen and a seeker.  There's a *major* physical 
difference between the two.  George is on the down slope of 
puberty.  He's near his full bulk.  Draco is just beginning to enter 
puberty, and he's generally described as small or slight.  George's 
athletic prowess has a lot to do with upper-body strength.  Draco's 
concentrates more on speed and agility.  Even without the addition 
of Harry and his weighted fist, the fight was unfair.

Draco should have known better, of course.  It's foolish to pick on 
a boy's family and *not* expect a beat-down to occur.  But I'm not 
sure Harry should be patted on the back for his behavior.  It's 
hardly heroic to beat someone with such overwhelming odds on your 
side.

Betsy Hp