Power vs. Trust (was:The Possibilities of Grey Snape...)

[juli17ptf]

No: HPFGUIDX 143128


> 
> > 
> > Lupinlore wrote:
> > ROFL!  Primitive and childish?  You mean the natural and 
> > perfectly correct desire for justice in the face of cruelty, 
> > abuse, and maltreatment?  
> > snip>
> > As for the Crucio, it does seem an imperative with many that 
> > Harry not use it.  Interestingly enough, Snape's use of the AK 
> > seems perfectly all right.  Now why on Earth is that?  Because it 
> > was part of DD's plan?  Or because Our Lord and Savior Severus 
> > Snape has, by definition, only Harry's best interests at heart 
> > and therefore HIS Unforgivables are perfectly... well... 
> > forgivable?
> > 

Julie:
Of course there is a natural desire for justice in the face
of cruelty. But Harry crucioing Snape would not be justice, 
it would be revenge. There's also a natural human desire for
that, but this is where maturity rears its head. Maturity is
not giving in to that desire, and primitive childishness is
giving in. So far Harry has acted out of childishness. 

And yes, most see it as imperative that Harry not use the
Crucio, at least *not* the way he's tried to use it so far,
out of anger and vengeance. This is because Harry is the
HERO of the story. The HERO is supposed to rise above the
lesser humans of the story, even if it's a struggle to bring
that noble self to the fore (and the struggle is what makes
it ultimately worthwhile, for him, and for us). 

As to whether Unforgivables are ultimately forgivable, it
depends on the intent. Aurors have used Unforgivables, 
presumably without horrible damage to their souls, because
their intent was Good. If Harry must use an Unforgivable
to aid the side of Good, then it may ultimately be forgiven.
And if Snape's intent when casting the AK was to aid the
side of Good, rather than to aid Evil or simply to save
himself, then it may also ultimately be forgiven. (Or if
"forgiven" is too much for an Unforgivable, then at least
it might be understood and excused.)

Julie 
(who's still not quite sure how unforgivable an Unforgivable
really is in JKR's Wizarding World)