Evil Hermione

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 154888

> Renee:
<SNIP>
> One of the messages of the HP books is that it's our choices that 
show
> what we are, alternatively, define what we are (JKR has said both, 
by
> mouth of Dumbledore and in interviews). To suggest that some people
> have no choice because of the way they're raised - brought up as
> mitigating circumstances for Marietta and much more often, Draco -
> runs counter to this message. We've got plenty of examples to the
> contrary, but I'll only mention Sirius. To say Marietta had no free
> will isn't just speculation. IMO, it's an idea that doesn't belong 
in
> the Harry Potter series. 

Alla:

Yes, most definitely agreed, but I can predict the counterargument ( 
not that I buy it, just read it several times) - Sirius is  just 
rebel by nature, so him leaving his dark arts loving parents does 
not matter, he would have rebelled against any parents.
 Just to be clear - I do NOT buy it, I think it is a great example 
of somebody making a choice.

Renee:
<SNIP>
> Secondly, has it occurred to anyone else that the whole Marietta 
vs.
> the DA episode may be meant to mirror Wormtail vs. the first Order 
of
> the Phoenix, with Umbridge in the role of Voldemort? Marietta is
> afraid that Umbridge will prevail, with (relatively) dire 
consequences
> for all members of the DA including herself - just like Wormtail 
was
> afraid Voldemort was going to win with dire consequences to all 
Order
> members including himself. Both operate according to the rule: if 
you
> can't beat them, join them. 

Alla:

Wasn't it said that Pettigrew finger was delivered to his mother? 
So, yes, one can speculate IMO that Pettigrew had his mother in mind 
when he betrayed his friends to Voldemort. That does not make his 
actions any easier to swallow to me, just as it does not make 
Marietta's actions any easier to swallow to me, where I don't even 
see her concern for her mother 


Renee:
If I consider Marietta's treason the
> lesser of the two, it's because in her case no lives were at 
stake, or
> not directly - just futures.

Alla:

If only not directly, but consider that all those kids were put in 
front of Wizengamot, as a result of Marietta betrayal.

Can anyone be sure that none of them would have ended up in Azkaban?

I cannot personally. Shudders. Teenagers in Azkaban, I wonder how 
long they would have lasted sane and alive.

Alla, who hopes that she added something to Renee's points.