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

[a_svirn]

No: HPFGUIDX 146737

> 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.

a_svirn:
Um, yes. I stand corrected. It was muttering and refusing to honour 
Cedric at the feast. Jeering or, to be more precise, smirking came 
later – in the compartment of the Hogwarts Express. As well as the 
infamous comment about Cedric's being the first to go. Does it make 
any difference? Somehow I don't think so. If Draco is capable of 
behaving like this to the people he *likes* he must be thoroughly 
rotten. 


> Betsy Hp: 
> As to his final comment, that's not Draco trying to become 
Cedric's 
> friend.  

a_svirn:
Obviously. 

> Betsy Hp: 
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.  
<snip>

a_svirn:
I am really curious how you've worked out that one. How do you even 
know that Draco is capable of compassion? Or are you working on the 
assumption that he simply cannot be as bad as he looks – ergo he 
must be shutting down and boxing off his inherent kindness?