Draco the Death Eaters and Voldemort (was: Re: Draco's culpability...)

[Jen Reese]

No: HPFGUIDX 139777

> Betsy Hp:
> Aha! I have canon!  First, here's proof that Draco did not set off 
> the Mark floating above the tower: <canon quote upthread>

> And here's proof that Draco was on the tower *before* the barrier 
> was set up: <canon quote upthread>
> 
> This is two chances for JKR to make absolutely clear that Draco 
> bares the Dark Mark: he sets off the Mark in the sky; he makes it 
> past the barrier, either going up or coming down.  But JKR chooses 
> to give Draco a pass both times.  I'm becoming more and more 
> confident that Draco is not a Death Eater at the conclusion of HBP.

Jen: JKR is sneaky that way and personally these omissions are very 
persuasive. But what about Draco's left arm? Why was he favoring it 
and showing it to Borgin? When Harry notices these things about 
Draco he's not thinking Draco is in cahoots with Voldemort & the 
DE's, so can't be POV. Of the two theories so far, a dark mark and a 
werewolf bite, the dark mark seems most likely. So what's behind 
door #3? The only thing I can think of is Draco somehow tried to 
make his own dark mark on his arm to 'persuade' Borgin, but it 
wasn't actually a link to LV like the DE's have. But that may be 
cheesy <g>.

"Draco's Detour" to me means just that, a slide into Voldemort's 
camp for a time and then a slide back out. That's simplified for 
sure, but sometimes JKR's simplest clues have the most meaning. Not 
that I think Draco will live, mind you. Hate to say it but I'm not 
certain even Snape can save him and in fact, could see the 
possiblity of Snape being ordered to kill Draco for his failure of 
will. Whew! How's that for adding fuel to the already smoking Snape 
fire?

Jen