What Came First: Task or Cabinet? - A tale of two Dracos

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 157671

> >>Alla:
> > Why? I am sorry again, but why does Draco need to tell it to 
> > Dumbledore?
> > <snip>

> >>Betsy Hp:
> > I can't believe I'm going to say this to you, Alla, but here    
> > goes: Because the hero of the story is not Draco, it's Harry.    
> > Why would JKR carry over a mystery involving Draco that she'll   
> > have to deal with in Book 7 and take time away from the story of 
> > Harry?
> > <snip>
  
> >>Alla:
> Heee, well, it is a good enough reason if one considers Draco     
> going to Voldemort first to be a mystery not as a part of         
> backstory which not have needed to be revealed.
> So, I am afraid I cannot accept as a given that Draco would have 
> mentioned it to Dumbledore, although shhhhh, I think he probably 
> would have. What again I am arguing against? :-)
> <snip>
> ...I see the argument that it does not necessarily go to the 
> heart of Draco's mystery, because after the initial point, Steve   
> and Magpie's version is really collide IMO.

Betsy Hp:
Except they really, really don't.  Magpie's version (or as I like to 
call it, "canon" <eg>) shows Draco thrown in over his head (though 
at first the poor stupid boy doesn't realize it) and slowly coming 
to the conclusion that Death Eating is not for him.  It's a 
wonderful coming of age thing and an unfolding of Draco's character 
in a way I've long hoped for.  (Went wildly beyond my expectations, 
actually.)  It shows Draco seeing how very little worth Voldemort 
actually has for him and his family.  And it gives Draco a chance to 
really think about what sort of person he wants to be.  

Steve's version undercuts all of that.  (And I think it's incredibly 
telling that part of his version was labeled "mean Draco".)  Draco 
isn't over his head, he's biting off more than he can chew.  He's 
not a child victim of Voldemort's manipulated by his love for his 
family, he's an eager little Death Eater, hell bent on revenge and 
glory.

Actually, I think I'd reverse your last statement there.  Magpie and 
Steve *start* with a very similar Draco, romantic visions of being a 
Death Eater, intent on revenge and glory.  But Magpie's version 
allows Draco to grow.  To leave vengence behind on the train under 
an invisibility cloak at the beginning of the year.  And to come to 
a sickening realization that there's nothing romantic or glorious in 
being a Death Eater.

And I've noticed that most folks arguing the "cabinet first" theory 
really, really want Draco to stay the sort of selfish and flat 
character he's been through so many books.  At least, that's how 
their statements come across to me.  And that undercuts one of the 
more powerful stories told in HBP.  Which is why I'm making such a 
massive hue and cry for canon.  If you're going to piss all over 
what I consider some of the more poignant scenes in HBP, at least 
have the decency to present some solid facts.  Or at least, that's 
my thinking on the matter. <g> 

Though the lack of hard canon and the logic breakdown with "Draco's 
Detour" in the "cabinet first" theory is also a bit of sticking 
point for me. <veg>

Betsy Hp (up soo far past her bed time it's beyond scary... um, 
blame any fuzzy thinking on that, please <g>)