Traitors and Deserters (was:Re: muggle baiting vs. muggle torture)

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 155592

> >>Betsy Hp:
> > Which is interesting, IMO.  Because those who feel Marietta 
> > deserved her brand tend to say that the DA *was* in a war; that 
> > Marietta was  more than just a snitch, she was a traitor.  But 
> > wouldn't that make the twins deserters?
> > <snip>

> >>Steven1965aaa now:
> Well, I see what you're saying and I'm not one of the people who   
> go by the war theory, but I think there are a couple of important 
> differences.  First, everyone in the DA agreed to keep it secret, 
> and Marietta violated that agreement.

Betsy Hp:
Right.  Marietta was a snitch; that has never been a fact under 
contention.  Those who feel her disfigurement was well deserved 
justice rather than cruel vengence tend to argue that as this is war 
rules of civil and honorable behavior are out the window.

All I'm pointing out is, if this argument is sincere than Hermione 
should have refused to play favorites and arranged for the twins to 
be disfigured too.  Deserters are just as bad within a war situation 
as traitors.  Sometimes they're even worse.

> >>Steven1965aaa now:
> 2nd, at the time the Twins "deserted" the DA was no longer meeting 
> because of Marietta's vilation, so even accepting the premise of  
> your argument there was nothing really left to "desert".

Betsy Hp:
Hang on, are you saying the war was over because the DA had lost?  
First of all that would suggest that the war was against Umbridge 
and not Voldemort, and second it would suggest that in stirring up 
the chaos that got them in trouble in the first place, the twins 
were wasting everybody's time.

I actually do agree that the DA was a study group, nothing more.  
Hermione may have had aspirations but the DA never rose to meet 
them.  (Mainly because Harry wasn't really looking for an army, 
IMO.)  But that would also mean that there's no "big picture" to 
excuse the cruelty of Hermione's actions regarding Marietta. 

> >>Steven1965aaa now:
> I don't think Hermione would make a spell which would brand       
> someone coward for leaving, I don't think she or Harry would have 
> held it against anyone for dropping out...
> <snip>

Betsy Hp:
The problem I have with Hermione at this moment is that I cannot 
say "Oh, Hermione would never..." I honestly can't think, now, of 
anything Hermione wouldn't do if it achieved her ends.  Honestly, I 
think Hermione is the one member of the trio who'd have the least 
problem with killing, as long as she thought it the best solution to 
the problem in front of her.  Hermione's the Tin Man of the group, 
and if she doesn't get a heart, I think they'll be in trouble. 

Betsy Hp