[HPforGrownups] Re: CHAPDISC: HBP7, The Slug Club

[Kathy King]

No: HPFGUIDX 145842

Pippin:
Draco knew what was expected of him all along, I think. He certainly knew
by the time of the first Hogsmeade visit when he tried to use the necklace.
But he didn't think he needed  NEWTs to use a deadly curse or
fix the cabinet. I think Draco  relished the idea that he had been
chosen for his cleverness; that he might also have been chosen for his
gullibility
and as a punishment for his father's failure had not occurred to him.
Naturally
Narcissa was not in a position to tell him.

I'm sure Draco was imagining a pitched battle like the one that had taken
place in the Ministry, with plenty of gallant DE's for backup and curses
flying
everywhere, in  which he would distinguish himself and completely erase
his father's disgrace.

No doubt Voldemort tired of flattering Draco; it was not necessary once
Draco
had committed himself by making the attempt with the necklace. LV could then

use the threat of exposure along with the threat to Draco's family to keep
his
reluctant servant in line.





Snow:



You very well could be correct, I simply found the qualification aspect
puzzling as far as Draco's attitude on the train. Draco just doesn't appear
(at that point) to be boasting about taking down one of the greatest wizards
that ever lived without any qualifications to do so. Malfoy states:



"Maybe the job he wants me to do isn't something that you need to be
qualified for…"



If the job were to kill Dumbledore, I would think even Malfoy would realize
he wasn't qualified for the task. I don't think Malfoy was speaking of that
particular undertaking at that time. I don't think Draco realized that it
was he 'alone' that was expected to take down Dumbledore…at least at that
point.

I believe it wasn't until Draco finally found out that 'he alone' was to
take on this mission himself that the Dark Lord threatened him with his
parent's lives. When exactly this took place would be up for grabs, but the
Moaning Myrtle scene is fairly close I would think.



I'm sure Narcissa told her son that Snape promised her that he would help
Draco but Draco's attitude towards Snape on the Tower showed that Draco felt
threatened by Snape and felt that he would receive all the glory for His
endeavors. It simply does not reflect Draco realizing the truth in that
respect for me. Narcissa was not supposed to talk to anyone but she  (in my
opinion) let Snape in on what Draco was truly to do. What, then would stop
her from allowing her son the same courtesy, to protect him?



In the end, I just don't see Draco being so cocky on the train about what he
was unqualified but expected to do.


Snow


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]