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

[Jen Reese]

No: HPFGUIDX 139894

> Betsy Hp:
> Harry just supposes that Draco shows Borgin his arm.  He doesn't 
> actually *see* Draco do it.  However, I agree that Draco is 
> exhibiting suspicious behavior, in both cases, that cannot be 
> explained away by POV.

Jen: Ahh, very interesting. I had to re-read that section. The easy 
explanation is JKR made the reference to Draco's arm in the prior 
scene and doesn't want to give away the secret before Harry puts two-
and-two together. But I'm feeling devious today and think the 
omissions are adding up. We can add this one to the two you pointed 
out before, that Draco did not cast the dark mark and he was on the 
tower prior to the spell allowing DE's with a dark mark to pass up 
the stairs.

> Betsy Hp:
> I totally discount the werewolf bite, myself.  And since I'm 
> starting to really doubt that Draco does have a Dark Mark, I'll
> have to go with door #3.
> 
> There's two possibilities, I think.  One is the "Draco faked the 
> Mark" thing.  (I read a theory that he used one of the twins' 
> edible Dark Marks.) Or, it's a total red herring.  Maybe he really
> *was* poked by a pin.  Though it does leave unanswered what he
> used to scare Borgin with.
> 
> JKR is definitely leaving the question up in the air though.  And 
> since Draco *not* being marked would surprise Harry more, I tend
> to lean in that direction.

Jen: What *would* scare Borgin, that's the question isn't it? The 
dark mark doesn't sit well with me because it's hard to believe 
Borgin hasn't seen a whole lot worse, given his age and business 
dealings. "Yeah, yeah, some young punk just shoved a dark mark in my 
face, like I haven't seen *that* before."  Especially after we watch 
oily Borgin interact with Lucius. Now Lucius would be someone to 
fear, for his money and power let alone his past affiliation with 
Voldemort, and Borgin basically made fun of him behind his back.

The Hand of Glory is a non-starter, and Draco isn't in possession of 
the necklace yet (that one would scare me after seeing what happened 
to Katy with only a tiny pinprick in her glove). It would have to be 
something on Draco's person, or small enough to fit in his robes. 

You don't suppose Draco has some infomation on Borgin, do you? And 
he showed him a little reminder of the deed? Something sinister 
Borgin was involved with during the time Riddle was employed there, 
perhaps. Stolen dark magic objects, other suspicious deaths....

> Betsy Hp:
> I feel like Draco's chances of survival have gone up, myself.  But 
> I'd been worried that Draco would end up dying in order to see the 
> error of his ways.  Fortunately, JKR was merciful, and it looks
> like Draco saw the light without having to die for it.  His life
> is in Snape's hands now, but since I think Snape is ESG, I trust
> Snape with the burden.  *Snape's* life expectency however....
> *sigh*  I'm worried.

Jen: Yeah Snape's toast, whatever his status. The plot just begs for 
it, preferably before Harry & Co. figure out the truth about him so 
he dies an ignominious death. No, I'm really not a cruel person, 
just pondering what a fitting end would be for this character. 
There's a certain tragedy about his life that calls for a tragic 
death as well. Dying without ever getting the glory and honor he 
craves might suffice. He can enjoy it from the afterworld, or learn 
about it as a ghost roaming around Hogwarts and terrorizing all the 
students. 

Maybe Snape's death, after saving Harry yet again and Draco as well, 
will be enough penance for JKR so Draco doesn't have to die. Like 
you pointed out, it's her mercy that matters now ;).

Jen