Does JKR want us to hate Draco? (was: Re: Admonishing Snape)

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 129615

>>Nora:
<snip>
>Contra Betsy's motivation-schmotivation :) the reasons characters do 
things are massively important in JKR's world and she has a tendency 
to look upon them with ire or favor consequently.  [This is why 
present-day Draco doesn't look like he's heading in a good direction; 
she doesn't like him, although she made him, because of what he is 
and that certainly includes his motivations.]<
<snip>

Betsy:
Okay, I'll bite. :)  How do we, the readers, *know* that JKR doesn't 
like Draco?  I'm honestly curious about this because Draco has such a 
large fan base (and I'm talking adults here, not Tom Felton loving 
teeny-boppers) and that can't have been formed in a vaccum.  I've 
often seen those who like Draco or Snape or Slytherin House for that 
matter speak of the unfairness of JKR and how close minded she is 
when it comes to all those of House Slytherin.  But again, *how* can 
they find such positive traits in that house or those characters 
*unless* JKR put them there *herself*.

Because when JKR *does* want you to hate a character, I mean really 
despise someone, she doesn't seem to have a problem accomplishing her 
goal.  Not many people defend Umbridge as horribly misunderstood.  I 
haven't found a website dedicated to the subtle courage of Minister 
Fudge.  Vernon Dursley does not send hearts a flutter.  For that 
matter, the WW's fear of trolls doesn't get the same chatter as their 
contempt of house-elves.

If Draco is meant to be so completely repulsive, if Slytherins are 
supposed to be so drenched in evil why are so many readers missing 
the cues?  Why do they consistently find evidence of something more, 
evidence of possible goodness?  Has JKR done such a poor job writing 
her villians?  If she really does dislike Draco, why can't JKR, with 
her bully pulpit, get everyone else to dislike him too?

Betsy, who in the interest of being anal points out that her 
motivation-schmotivation comment was aimed at a very specific 
question and should not be taken as her general philosophy. :)