[HPforGrownups] Being Good and Evil (was:Re: Harry's arrogance (was Evil ...

[rebecca]

No: HPFGUIDX 154783

 > Magpie:
> Yes, it's a special study group because it's illegal.  All the students
> acknowledge that learning the Dark Arts is especially important because
> Voldemort is coming back.  But they're still having a secret DADA class.
> The results would not have been very different if they'd been having 
> secret
> Quidditch games after Umbridge forbid their houses to play.  What they say
> doesn't reflect the life they're actually in--as you said, the kids are 
> too
> young to really understand this sort of thing with regards to the Order in
> OotP.

Rebecca:

If they were having a secret DADA class, they probably shouldn't  have 
allowed it to be named Dumbledore's Army  ;) Sorry, found that ironic...but 
understand it lends to the plot so off we go...

Let me be perfectly clear here with what I am about to say. IMO, the canon I 
provided is indicative of the environment in which they are portrayed as 
believing they need to cope with - Voldemort's back, and we need to be able 
to defend ourselves. Even Umbridge herself asks them if they think that 
Voldemort is going to come skating in to attack them during one of their 
first DADA classes. In comparison, Quidditch is a game - not a life or death 
reality, like Voldemort and his Merry Band of Death Eaters, that they 
believe they are faced with. Again, IMO they are old enough for fear, worry, 
and anxiety.  What teenageer does anyone know that isn't afflicted by those 
same emotions naturally? :)

I find it interesting that some wish to hold Hermione, as a 15 year old 
girl, to the same standard of ethical perfection as an adult. I wonder why 
these "kids" aren't seen by the fandom as just making mistakes or bad 
judgement while maturing to adults? IMO, it's all about growing up and 
learning, isn't it?

Rebecca