Draco's Plot (was: Re: Ginny Haters/ a bit of Draco)

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 152283

> >>Carol:
> <snip>
> I've already given my reasons for thinking that Draco must have
> approached Voldemort with his Vanishing Cabinet idea, which I
> understand that you disagree with, but I'm rather surprised that   
> you'd call them "unreasonable." I supported them with canon in    
> various points in the thread, and I've seen no canon yet to the    
> contrary.
> <snip>

Betsy Hp:
I *do* feel that this particular theory flies in the face of canon.  
And you're right, I should put my money where my mouth is.  So 
here's the canon. <g>  [Books referenced are both scholastic 
editions.]

First, when does Draco find out about the cabinets?  Montague comes 
popping out of the cabinets towards during Harry's last Occlumency 
lesson, sometime in the spring [OotP p. 638].  He's described as 
remaining "confused and disorientated" at some point in May [678], 
and is still in the hospital wing at the time Harry and friends go 
off to the MoM, apparently unable to feed himself [730].

When Draco talks about his conversation with Montague about the 
cabinets it sounds as if Montague is taking the lead in their 
talk. "Everyone thought it was a really good story..." [HBP 
p.587].   Montague's telling a story to more than one person.  This 
is not the action of someone who is confused and disorientated and 
needs to be spoon-fed his potions.  At the earliest, the 
conversation occurs at the very end of the school year in OotP.  Or 
the conversation takes place over the summer at the beginning of 
HBP, which strikes me as more likely.  

Either way, when Draco confronts Harry at the end of OotP, he 
doesn't act like he has a plan in the works.  His threat is an open-
ended one, and he even envokes his father: "Dad and the others will 
be out in no time..." [OotP p.851].  Combined with the spontaneous 
attack on the train, these facts tend to lean *away* from Draco 
cooking up a plan involving the cabinets before getting on the train 
home.  It's the difference between the loose cannon Draco of OotP, 
and the focused Draco of HBP.

Second, and this is huge IMO, when does Draco show an interest in 
the cabinets?  Per canon, it's at the end of the summer, about a 
week after Harry's birthday [HBP p.106-107], which means only three 
weeks before school starts.  Which means Draco fittered away his 
entire summer before making sure the second cabinet didn't get sold 
away, and checking to see if the first cabinet was even fixable.  
Draco does ask Burgin, "...you know how to fix it?" [125].  Why 
would he wait months to ask that highly important question?  That 
goes completely against the newly focused Draco of HBP, who skips 
quidditch to work on the cabinets.  And it's very strange behavior 
for Voldemort as well.

That's the biggest hurdle those who support the "Draco approached 
Voldemort with the cabinet plan" have to jump for me.  To my mind 
it's unreasonable to think that Draco would wait so long to approach 
Burgin, after being forward enough to approach Voldemort a couple of 
months before hand.  The simpler (and more logical, IMO) explanation 
is that Draco talks to Montague over the summer *after* receiving 
his "kill Dumbledore" mission, and *then* comes up with the cabinet 
plan.

Because canon is *very* clear that Draco is given his task at the 
beginning of the summer.  I think it's understood that the first 
three chapters of HBP occur on the same night.  And Harry 
specifically refers to being at the Dursleys for only a "fortnight" 
[44].

> >>Carol:
> <snip>
> How about some canon to convince me that Voldemort came after      
> Draco?
> <snip>

Betsy Hp:
Okay! <g>  

"Draco should be proud," said Bellatrix indifferently.  "The Dark 
Lord is granting him a great honor.  And I will say this for Draco: 
He isn't shrinking away from his duty, he seems glad of the chance 
to prove himself, excited at the prospect --" 
Narcissa began to cry in earnest [...]
"Why Severus?  Why my son?" [HBP p.33]

All of the words used here points to Draco receiving an assignment.  
Bellatrix is pleased that Draco isn't put off by his assignment, 
that he's eager for it, etc.  She doesn't say anything 
about "initiative" or "volunteering", it's "not shrinking" 
and "duty" that's used.  In fact, there's nothing to suggest that 
Draco put *himself* forward, otherwise the question "why" would be 
answered simply, "because he asked for it."  

> >>Betsy Hp:
> > For another, Snape says he tried to talk Voldemort out of giving 
> > Draco the assignment, but that Voldemort was too eager to see    
> > Lucius punished. 
> > <snip>

> >>Carol:
> Sorry, Betsy, but this is a flat-out error. Snape actually refuses 
> to do any such thing: "If you are imagining I can persuade the    
> Dark Lord to change his mind, I am afraid there is no hope, no    
> hope at all" (HBP Am. ed. 33). 
> <snip>

Betsy Hp:
Oops! <g>  But actually, if we continue with that discussion, my 
point is still proven, I think.

"The Dark Lord will not be persuaded, and I am not stupid enough to 
attempt it," said Snape flatly.  "I cannot pretend that the Dark 
Lord is not angry with Lucius.  Lucius was supposed to be in 
charge.  He got himself captured, along with how many others, and 
failed to retrieve the prophecy into the bargin.  Yes, the Dark Lord 
is angry Narcissa, very angry indeed." [HBP p.34]

Here is the explanation for Voldemort assigning Draco the task of 
killing Dumbledore.  He's very, very angry.

> >>bboyminn:
> <snip>
> If Voldemort wants to punish the Malfoys, he will just punish them 
> rather that resorting to a long drawn out wacky scheme.
> <snip>

Betsy Hp:
Snape, Narcissa and Bellatrix, people who've worked closely with 
Voldemort for years, all believe this task has been assigned as a 
punishment for Lucius.  Dumbledore, who's studied Voldemort for 
years, believes Voldemort has given this assignment as punishment 
for Lucius.

Remember, this is a man who Imperio's children into killing their 
parents.  Or who sets werewolves to attack the children of those 
who've displeased him.  Voldemort is all about twisted, cruel, and 
creative means of punishing those he's displeased with.  And he's 
particularly fond of twisting the family bond.  No, I think 
this "long drawn out wacky scheme" is exactly Voldemort's style.

Betsy Hp