The GoF Train Scene (was:Re: Humanity, Kant, Caricatures, and Draco)

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 146730

> >>a_svirn
> Personally I never noticed Draco liking Cedric either. But suppose – 
> for the sake of argument – that he did. I find he chose a very 
> strange way of showing it. All that jeering and sneering at the 
> leaving feast, all that "Diggory was the first, you'll be the 
> second". Honestly. If that's how he treats people he *likes* I'd say 
> he certainly has the making of a fine Death Eater.

Betsy Hp:
The "jeering and sneering" is a factual mistake. A rather common one 
for some reason.  (Perhaps Draco isn't bad enough in canon?)  Draco 
stands with the rest of the students without commentary when 
Dumbledore toasts Cedric.  When Dumbledore starts talking about 
Voldemort, Draco, "mutter[s] something to Crabbe and Goyle".  The only 
other action he takes is to remain "defiantly" seated when Dumbledore 
toasts Harry.

So no, there was no "jeering and sneering" at the Leaving Feast.  At 
least, not on Draco's end.

As to his final comment, that's not Draco trying to become Cedric's 
friend.  That's Draco trying to put a good face on the fact that the 
boy he'd seen something admirable in has been labeled worthless by the 
side Draco has been taught is the right side.  I think we're 
witnessing Draco shutting down or boxing off his compassion.  Which, 
yes, starts him down the path to becoming a Death Eater (possibly of 
Regulus's or Snape's ilk) and also makes him ripe for Occlumency 
lessons.

Of course, in HBP, Voldemort makes the mistake of labeling Draco's 
family as worthless.  And I think Draco's journey to becoming a Death 
Eater comes to a screeching halt.

Betsy Hp