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

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 146814

> >>Magpie:
> <snip>
> It seems now that JKR finds the difference between talking the    
> talk and walking the walk significant, and considers a kid's      
> potential fall into real evil a dramatic story.  Dumbledore spends 
> most of his last scene overseeing this choice.  I don't know where 
> this will go in the next book, but Draco's actual character when   
> and if he actually discovers it seems like it could tip a scale or 
> two.

Betsy Hp:
I think Draco will have a huge part to play in the final book.  He's 
not the first peer wizard Harry ever met for nothing <g>.  And HBP 
was practically Draco's book.  Everyone who's usually so interested 
in Harry (Dumbledore, Snape, Voldemort) have turned their attentions 
on Draco.  Draco is now the one sneaking around Hogwarts, carrying a 
bigger burden than schoolwork.  And it's Harry trying to figure out 
what Draco's up to, and playing catch-up to Draco's discoveries.

What's really interesting, is that Harry is being forced to confront 
some of his cherished beliefs.  All Slytherins are evil, etc.

> >>Magpie:
> <snip>
> I wouldn't be surprised to see Harry remind Draco of Dumbledore's 
> words in the next book, and for Harry's witnessing that scene to   
> be important.

Betsy Hp:
Frankly, I'd be shocked if it wasn't important.  I'm betting that 
it'll be crucial for Harry and Draco to work together at some 
point.  It will give meaning to the Sorting Hat's song and represent 
the healing of past generations mistakes (as Magpie mentioned in a 
part of her post I've snipped).  Plus, Draco has always been a 
source of information throughout the books.  So I'm betting he'll 
have some ideas of horcrux hiding places, even if he doesn't know 
that he knows.

> >>Betsy Hp:
> <snip>
> And I think Draco marching into the Gryffindor compartment and
> spitting his defiance right into the lion's eye, as it were, was   
> his best attempt at regaining his balance. 
> <snip>

>>Alla:
> You make it sound as if Draco committed some heroic action, which
> makes me very confused.
> <snip>

Betsy Hp:
I was thinking of this scene from Draco's point of view, and I 
imagine Draco saw himself as being quite heroic, bravely stating the 
truth to Harry, etc., etc.  Actually, it's interesting that he 
doesn't include Harry in his prediction of doom.  It's Hermione and 
Ron who will die in their battle against Voldemort.  Harry has only 
made a mistake in choosing sides.  Draco must not realize that Harry 
is Voldemort's true target.  

> >>Alla:
> Defiance implies defying of someone who started bothering Draco   
> first, IMO anyway. Maybe it is again semantics. Does defiance has 
> another definition except "willingness to resist"? Who was        
> bothering Draco first? Besides, he did not even come ALONE. I     
> would have probably bought into his confusion more if he did.
> But, no, with all his emotional shake-up, he did not forget to take
> his goons with him. I wonder whether he expected to find Harry    
> alone and start throwing hexes at him?
> <snip>

Betsy Hp:
Draco knew Harry would have *his* goons with him.  He'd listened to 
part of their conversation, so he knew who was there.  And if Draco 
had meant to throw some hexes, I'd imagine he'd have had his wand 
drawn.

As to defiance, I mean that Draco is standing up to Harry's side.  
And he's sticking to his side despite Dumbledore's speech.  The term 
defiance doesn't make any sort of call on who started what.  It just 
means standing against someone or something.  Which Draco is very 
openly doing.  I did choose that word because it's more positive 
than negative, and again, I was coming at the scene from Draco's 
point of view.  

> >>Alla:
> I think issuing any kind of challenges to Draco was the last thing 
> on Harry's mind before Draco showed up and started provoking him.

Betsy Hp:
I agree.  Harry, if he had his druthers, would ignore Draco 
completely.  Draco is the one constantly calling Harry's attention 
to himself.  Until HBP, that is.

Betsy Hp