Theodore Nott: The Good Slytherin?

[sunnylove0 at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 129704

Love the Draco threads, everyone!
 
I'd like to take a moment to compile what we know about Theodore Nott, the  
current lead candidate for the concept known as "the Good Slytherin".
 
JKR's Website, under Extra Stuff:
 
"As in the case of Dean Thomas, I know much more about Theodore Nott than  
has ever appeared in the books. Raised by a very elderly widower and Death Eater 
 father, Theodore is a clever loner who does not feel the need to join gangs, 
 including Malfoy's.
 
OOP Chapter 21, p.445 (American edition)
 
There were only two other people <besides Harry> who were able to see  them 
<the thestrals> a stringy Slytherin boy standing just behind Goyle  was 
watching the horse eating with an expression of great distaste on his  face...<JKR 
has said this is Nott in her FAQ, by the way>
 
So, we have a boy who does not feel a need to join gangs, (and what else  are 
the DE's, really?), who has seen and processed the image of death  (required 
to see thestrals) and shows a general distaste for blood and  guts.  Much more 
moral an attitude than Malfoy's, especially for a boy from  a DE's family.
 
Also, there's the scene from the library (though he is talking with Malfoy  
and his bunch).  I think it's rather significant that it is Hermione who  knows 
his full name <and I doubt it's from Snape's class, either.  Snape  refers to 
all his students by their last names ( "Miss Granger, over beside Miss  
Parkinson").  Where do clever loners like Nott and Hermione hang out  anyway?  The 
library.  (Of course, the above is also due,  I'm sure, to Harry and Ron's 
seeing all Slytherins as extensions of Malfoy  and not worth their notice, of 
course. Remember their reaction to the Sorting  Hat's song.) 
 
It's interesting, too, that those are the only two mentions in OOP.   He is 
not mentioned as being with the Inquisitorial Squad in other words.   And we 
know that not every Slytherin refused to raise their cup to Cedric and  Harry in 
GOF.  
 
The only thing that really worries me about Theodore is his father being  
seriously wounded in the Ministry battle, giving dear Teddy a far more powerful  
motive than Malfoy for revenge in any form, especially if his father dies from 
 his wounds.  (Not unlikely, seeing as he is elderly)  I doubt anyone  would 
think to tell him that his father was left for dead and probably shot in  the 
back besides. (Dumbledore might, but he's got a lot on his plate at the end  
of OOP.) Even though, unlike Malfoy, he seems to be questioning his father's  
views on some level.
 
Anyway, if we do get a good Slytherin, my money's on Nott, not  Malfoy.
 
Amber
 
P.S.  Did anyone, reading that duel between DD and LV, see the  supposed mass 
murderer cleanly miss DD that second time?  It sort of  reminds me of a man 
trying to shoot with his hands trembling. <laughs  merrily>


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