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

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 131870

> >>Betsy Hp:
> 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.

> >>Chris: 
> I would not pat Harry on the back here, nor call it heroic. But I 
> will say, "It's about time!" 
> <snip>
> I'll ask another question: Who out there was bullied when they 
> were children and were happy about it? 
> <snip>
> There are those who shun Harry for such behavior, and there are    
> those who are secretly glad he did it. There are those who for some 
> reason feel sorry for Malfoy, and there are those who can't wait to 
> see him get his. I fall on the side of the latter...no matter what 
> kind of childhood Malfoy has endured, no matter whether he can be  
> redeemed or not: you reap what you sow, and it's time to gather in 
> the crops...

Betsy Hp:
I do agree, as I stated previously, that Draco shouldn't have 
expected anything other than a smack down (honestly, I think Draco 
*was* surprised, but he's lived a sheltered life).  However, I do 
disagree with your basic premise here, Chris.  Because Harry is *not* 
the poor little outsider getting trampled by the big man on campus 
until he just can't take it anymore.  *Draco* is the outsider.  Harry 
is the BMOC.

Think about it.  Harry's rich, famous, a sports star and the favorite 
student of just about the entire staff at Hogwarts.  He's the 
headmaster's golden boy, and when it's time to find a date to the big 
ball, Harry's brushing the girls off like flies.  (IIRC he even had a 
*sixth* year try and take him to the Yule Ball.  How many fourth 
years have that kind of popularity?)

Draco, on the other hand, is in the wrong house, has the wrong 
parents, and has *never* beaten Harry at *anything*. (Part of the 
reason I feel sorry for him.  I've always had a soft spot for the 
underdog.)  How on earth could Draco fill the role of bully?  All 
he's left with is empty sneers.  Sure, his house and his head of 
house seem to like him, but that's *all* Draco has.  He tried to be 
Harry's friend at least two times (three, IMO) and was rejected each 
time.  Angelina describes Draco as suffering from sour grapes, and I 
think she hits the nail right on the head.  Draco's not a bully to 
Harry.  To be a bully you have to have some sort of power over 
someone.  When it comes to Harry, Draco is pretty much powerless.

> >>Valky:
> <snip>
> I wouldn't pat Harry and George on the back either, but I would    
> give them their position fairly, and respectfully, they weren't    
> asking for the sledging or the fight. Later I might point out to   
> them that Draco had no chance, and given that they are             
> compassionate children I expect they'd feel their own guilt        
> eventually.

Betsy Hp:
Harry, I think, would eventually feel guilt.  After all, he's been on 
the receiving end of bad odds. (Of course, Draco is a special case 
for Harry.  He was repulsed at his father's and Sirius's attack on 
Snape, but at the same time felt Draco would deserve such 
treatment.)  

George, I'm not so sure of.  He and Fred seem to think two on one is 
the natural way of things.  I think this was the one time one twin 
attacked without the other right by his side.  And usually, their 
attacks involve only one other person. (Part of the reason I feel 
sympathy for Percy and *really* hope he's a spy. I *detest* pack 
behavior.)  No, I'm pretty sure George would merely regret getting 
caught.  (Fred, of course, would regret not being in on the fight.)

Betsy Hp