Sympathy to the characters? Fake Moody, Weasleys, Hermione

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 159652

> >>Betsy Hp:
> > <snip> 
> > But Hermione worries me.  Since HBP she worries me a lot.  But   
> > am I supposed to be worried?  And I think there's something     
> > rotten within the Weasley clan.  But am I supposed to think that?
> > <SNIP>

> >>Alla:
> So the preface  that I of course cannot tell you how to feel, but 
> you asked the question in regards of possible JKR intentions,     
> right?
> <snip>

Betsy Hp:
That's exactly right.  I mean, obviously there are times a reader 
can disagree with an author: "She wants me to like character X, but 
I'm just not buying it."  And that's perfectly valid.  But there are 
characters and situations with JKR that leave me wondering if she's 
actually *wanting* me to have the issues I'm having.

> >>Alla:
> NO, I am betting that JKR does not want you to feel that there is 
> something wrotten within Weasley clan. They are supposed to be 
> portrayed as the model of how family should be IMO in JKR's view.
> Now of course she gave them some flaws ( rows with Percy, etc),    
> but IMO she contrasts them with Malfoys and Blacks and we supposed 
> to see that Weasleys truly love each other, as families should.    
> They fight of course, but love each other they do and they are at 
> the right side too. 
> I mean Malfoys and Blacks love each other too, but I guess on the 
> wrong side of the equation.

Betsy Hp:
But see, that's the issue.  If the Weasleys are supposed to be seen 
in such strong contrast to the Blacks and the Malfoys (this is a 
good family, this is a bad one) why aren't the lines drawn more 
clearly?

Why have Arthur's treatment of Percy echo Mrs. Black's treatment of 
Sirius?  Why have the twins openly mocking and disrespecting their 
dad?  Why the odd tension between Arthur and Molly?  And for that 
matter, why have a demonstration of the real love Narcissa has for 
her husband and child?

> >>Alla:
> Oh, and  since I am at telling you how to feel <g>, may as well    
> add that no Twins will not become DE either.

Betsy Hp:
I don't think they'll become Death Eaters either.  But don't you 
think they've come pretty close to inadvertently aiding the enemy?  
Why did JKR do that?

> >>Alla:
> Now, Hermione is actually more interesting situation. I am also   
> pretty safe at betting that she should not worry you, etc, **but** 
> the main reason I am doing so is because JKR as much as called    
> Hermione her alter ego and I sincerely doubt that she would make   
> her alter ego evil.
> Otherwise I would not feel as safe to bet that Hermione would not 
> do something idiotic ( not evil but harmful)

Betsy Hp:
See it's the "not really evil" thing that makes it a bit more 
scary.  I have no worries that Hermione is going to sell Harry out 
to Voldemort because she's suddenly decided she's evil.  I *do* 
worry that she'll do something idiotic and harmful because she's so 
certain that she knows best.

(Frankly, I think that she's JKR's alter ego might make the stupid 
and harmful thing even *more* possible.  Aren't we always hardest on 
ourselves?)

Betsy Hp