Second Task points/Draco and Dumbledore

[sistermagpie]

No: HPFGUIDX 152033


> Ceridwen:
> I read somewhere (Red Hen?) that the two attempts were probably 
set 
> around the same time, but didn't play out close together.  The 
> necklace present that got Katie Bell, and the wine (or was it 
mead?) 
> for Dumbledore's Christmas that was left with Slughorn - two 
gifts, 
> with Christmas coming (or past, when Slughorn produces the wine, 
but 
> given for a Christmas gift), then nothing again until the end.  If 
> Dumbledore knew anything of what was going on with Draco, then 
part 
> of what he knew would have to be that Draco had abandoned this 
> tactic, maybe after Snape's talk with him.  Maybe the mead/wine 
was a 
> surprise as well after the necklace?

Magpie:
Yes, both those attempts are fairly early in the year I think (I 
also think that the two times Harry notices Draco physically 
disintegrating are purposefully after they hit someone else)--but 
it's still dangerous for Dumbledore to be letting Draco do anything 
at all.  However, I think Dumbledore's feeling is just the same as 
it is in the Tournament.  He thinks he's providing a safe risk, 
thinking that since he knows what's going on and is watching over 
things he's got it under control, even if Ron and Katie could both 
have died. 

Which is why I would agree with Alla it's not *stupid* of Harry to 
not trust in the safety of the hostages. He's wrong in that case, 
and Hermione is right to point out that Harry tends to not even be 
able to consider that other people may be taking care of things--
there are times when this messes Harry up like with Sirius and with 
the Stone.  But at the same time you can see why Harry would have 
trouble trusting that things will work out without him.

It's funny that I've never thought of it before, but I wonder if 
Harry and Snape aren't more alike on that score.  I can imagine 
Snape and Harry both wanting more intervention with Draco in HBP 
because neither of them trust in Dumbledore's claims that he's got 
it all under control.  

-m