Draco and Dumbledore LONG, beware

[a_svirn]

No: HPFGUIDX 160228

Pippin:
Draco performed a very useful service, though he didn't intend to,
by exposing some holes in the Hogwarts defenses. 

a_svirn:
I am with you on that. Seriously, first Draco almost killed Katie 
thus demonstrating the danger his activities presented to all the 
students. Not his fault that Dumbledore took no notice, is it? Then 
he smuggled the mead, thus not only demonstrated the fact that 
teachers were just as vulnerable, but also exposing Dumbledore's 
safety measures for a scam they were. Again, he's hardly to blame 
that Dumbledore's reaction was to take no action. And finally, as 
you pointed out, he exposed a hole in Hogwarts defenses big enough 
for a half a dozen death eaters to come. And demonstrated the danger 
of the twins' merchandise into the bargain. For myself I would like 
to add "helping the order to get rid of an incompetent leader" to 
the list of his accomplishments. Really, he should be venerated in 
the Trophy Room – next to Tom Riddle. 



Carol:
What, exactly, could Dumbledore have done without antagonizing Draco,
provoking him into a failed murder attempt (which DD would have to
deflect) and consequently killing Snape, on whom DD, like it or not,
depends?

What additional protections could he have put in place to protect the
students? I can't think of a single one. What further investigations
could he have made? He says that he knows more than Harry does. Why
doubt him?

a_svirn:
It's Dumbledore's problem if a man he depends upon goes and does 
something totally baffling like taking the UV. I don't see why he 
should solve this problem at the expense of his students and his 
staff. 

We seem to be going in circles and circles in this thread. You keep 
asking what additional protections could Dumbledore have put, while 
we keep saying that what needed was *investigation*, not 
*protection*. Especially since all Dumbledore's protections were 
about as effective as the Ministry's "Protect Your Home" leaflet. 

Speaking of which, "antagonising Draco" is exactly what Snape did. 
And antagonising the main suspect is hardly a way to carry out an 
investigation. Number one in their list should have been Borgin, not 
Draco. Had they cracked that nut, they would have known about 
Draco's plan without even triggering the Vow. And thanks to Harry 
they could have probably done it without even Borgin being the 
wiser. Didn't Draco threaten Borgin with Grayback? Why, the 
phoenixes only had to eavesdrop the friendly chat between the two, 
and the pieces of the puzzle would have fallen into place. Failing 
that they could have applied some pressure to Borgin. There was also 
another lead to follow – Grayback. And, yes, failing all 
that "antagonising Draco". Though, I really don't see why it all 
shouldn't have worked. And if it had Dumbledore could have played 
his cards as well as he liked even without endangering Draco unduly. 
He could have arranged for the both cabinets to be watched 24/7. He 
could have "helped" Draco discreetly with repairing his, so that he 
wouldn't have had to try other plans. He could have used that 
prodigal brainpower to figure out how to send the DE in limbo once 
the have boarded the first cabinet. Plenty of possibilities. 

Yet amazingly enough none of the leads Harry provided is followed, 
even though Dumbledore had every reason to believe that Draco has 
accomplices. Even though he had every reason to believe that 
Grayback is one of them. That's just baffling.