CHAPDISC: HBP7, The Slug Club (Slughorn)/Real Child Abuse

[sistermagpie]

No: HPFGUIDX 145879

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, Irene Mikhlin 
<irene_mikhlin at b...> wrote:
>
> 
> --- spaebrun <spaebrun at y...> wrote:
> 
> > Reed:
> > I don't see Slughorn's character so negative as
> > Amanda and several other people 
> > responding to the Chapterdisc seem to do. 
> 
> I don't get all the negativity as well. He invited
> Neville to the Slug Club. Neville does not have any
> useful connections at present. The only motivation for
> Slughorn seems to be Neville's potential to become a
> person similar to his parents.
> Also, associating with a boy whose family has some
> serious feud with Voldemort's supporters seems
> careless for someone who's supposed to sit on the
> fence.

Magpie:

Of course Neville does have useful connections.  His family appears 
to be one of the most prominent Pureblood families in the 
Potterverse, with his grandmother being especially important.  
That's why he's important.  Slughorn seems to drop him after that 
first meeting when it's clear he doesn't seem to live up to his 
bloodline.

Slughorn isn't sitting on the fence, he's intentionally not allowing 
any DE kids in his club because he doesn't want contact with DEs. I 
don't think inviting somebody from a publically anti-Voldemort 
family is a big deal, particularly when Harry's in the Club.

Amiable Dorsai:

But that's what started this--perception. It's our (well, my since 
you don't seem to share it) perception of Draco's belief that he is 
above other mortals that makes the ferret scene so much fun (for me 
and Ron, at least:-). After all, he's finally getting the extra 
consideration that he's always believed a Malfoy is entitled to.

Magpie:

Oh, well sure I get why the scene plays differently with Draco than 
it would play with, say, Neville or Ron, sure.  But I like to think 
that the ultimate revelation of Moody's character is meant to change 
the meaning of the scene in retrospect, since this is the very kind 
of emotion that Voldemort openly appeals to in followers.  He's 
doing what Death Eaters do.  If he'd bounced around a young James 
Potter I'm sure Snape would have wanted to cherish the memory for 
always as well for the same reason.  

-m