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

[a_svirn]

No: HPFGUIDX 146755

> Betsy Hp:
> It goes towards my main point, yes.  Draco stands for Cedric, but 
he 
> doesn't stand for Harry.  So it's not peer pressure pulling him to 
> his feet.  There's something there.  Something he has to learn to 
> deny or push down because Cedric was killed by Voldemort.  And 
Draco 
> is on Voldemort's side, so Cedric must be an enemy.

a_svirn:

Exactly. And that's goes towards my point. If Draco is capable of 
discarding people he *stands for* this casually he *must* be rotten. 
Not that I believe that he ever *stood for* Cedric. He exploited his 
popularity because it was expedient to do so at the time. And it was 
a very good plan, actually. Probably his only success until HBP. But 
that's about all his "admiration" amounted to. 

> > >>a_svirn:
> > I am really curious how you've worked out that one. How do 
you    
> > even know that Draco is capable of compassion? <snip>
> 
> Betsy Hp:
> Draco loves his parents. (See HBP)  And since the "Draco is evil" 
> arguments have made up facts I really don't think I'm stretching 
> things to see something good in him <eg>.  I've never seen Draco 
as 
> an entirely bad child.  

a_svirn:
So what if he did? The reverse is also true – his parents love 
Draco. Does that make Lucius any less of a Death Eater? Or Narcissa 
any less ruthless? Besides, even if he is not "entirely bad" he is 
not generally known for his compassion either. I still don't see how 
you managed to discern any even in the shut down, boxed off and 
bottled up form.


> > >>Alla:
<snip>Draco IMO would cheer for anybody if that means that   
> > the person will beat Harry.
> 
> Betsy Hp:
> Ooh... *Anybody*?  Like, say Hermione?  No, I'm pretty sure that 
if 
> Draco found something obviously wrong with Cedric (muggleborn, 
blood-
> traitor, etc.) he'd have bagged Cedric completely and gone whole 
hog 
> for Krum.  But Cedric is a pureblood son (or pure enough, anyway) 
of 
> a Ministry wizard who wasn't an Order member or hugely known 
> Dumbledore supporter.  The entire point of Cedric is that he's an 
> inoffensive character.  There's nothing there to dislike.

a_svirn:
I completely agree with this assessment. There is a mile-wide gap 
between "noting to dislike" and "stands for" though. 

> Betsy Hp:
> I'll go out on a limb and guess that Draco had pretty negative 
> feelings towards Fake!Moody <g>.  And, yeah, I doubt it was fun to 
> realize that the abusive psycho you'd like to have fired is 
actually 
> on your side.  

a_svirn:
I don't think Draco was much affected by this revelation. The 
exposure of Barty Crouch Jr. couldn't have muddled Draco's loyalties 
for the simple reason that he owed Crouch none. It's only Voldmort 
who is supposed to be above reproach. His minions have always been 
jealous of each other and competed for his favours. (Draco follows 
the tradition when he accuses Snape in attempting to steal 
his "glory".)