Identifying Enemies (was:Bullying WAS: Re: Prodigal Sons)

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 140941

> >>Betsy Hp:
> > I seriously doubt Molly is interested in subjugating the Muggle 
> > population, but she does consider Muggles as less intelligent or 
> > capable than wizards.
> > <snip>

> >>a_svirn:
> Less intelligent? "Canon", please. I don't remember her ever saying 
> anything of the sort. 

Betsy Hp:
Molly doesn't come right out and *say* it. But I think it's implied 
that she sees them as somewhat...lesser than.  Her "packed with 
Muggles" comment (p.91) in PS/SS (introductary statement too, 
interestingly enough) is suggestive to me.  In CoS she comments about 
Arthur's car, "Muggles *do* know more than we give them credit for, 
don't they?" (p.66)  In OotP, there's her reaction to Arthur's 
interest in using Muggle medical techniques, "but even you, Arthur, 
wouldn't be *that* stupid --" (p.507) Finally there's her general 
distaste for Arthur's interest in anything Muggle. 

Again, I think Molly's prejudice is of a polite sort.  Quite 
Victorian in it's way.  I'm sure if she lived in a certain time 
period she'd have been all over sending missionaries to "civilize" 
the unfortunate "savages" throughout the world, and would honestly 
feel she was doing something good.

> >>a_svirn:
> Less capable? Well, they are, aren't they? There is no way around   
> that one.

Betsy Hp:
Heh.  Put me and a wizard in an unknown location and tell us both to 
contact someone quick, and I'm betting my cellphone would beat their 
wand.  Patronus or no patronus.  Plus, you know, pants.  There's no 
way you can convince me that robes beat pants. <g>

> >>a_svirn:
> As for her reaction to Rita's insinuations, for one thing, she did 
> NOT believe Hermione a "scarlet woman". 
> <snip>

Betsy Hp:
She never called Hermione such, no.  But she did seem to believe that 
Hermione was using her super love potion skills to stomp all over 
poor young Harry's (and possibly Ron's) heart.  (Love potions Molly 
had been giggling about earlier in GoF.  Hmmm, I wonder if Molly felt 
a bit guilty, like maybe she'd given Hermione ideas....)

The interesting thing to me is that Molly *knew* Rita wasn't the most 
trustworthy reporter at large.  Rita had just finished telling all 
sorts of stories about Arthur, like two months previously.  Coupled 
with her general distrust of Muggles, her sudden distrust of Hermione 
(a known Muggle-born) strikes me as a tiny bit suspicious.
 
> >>Betsy Hp
> > As for the twins.... Okay, I can totally buy at least one of them 
> > turning out to be an enemy. 

> >>a_svirn:
> Which one?

Betsy Hp:
Either one.  Both.  Just something so that their underlying 
creepiness is shown to be a bad thing.  I've no idea if JKR is 
heading in that direction (though their untouched shop is suspicious, 
IMO).  I do think it'd be more interesting if one turned, giving the 
other a much needed wakeup call. Fred may seem the obvious choice.  
He's the more agressive twin.  But you know what they say about the 
quiet ones. <g>

Betsy Hp