Cabinet FIRST!

[sistermagpie]

No: HPFGUIDX 157965

> Orna:

> I don't think it's very important for JKR to mention it, if Draco 
> approached Voldemort. If Voldemort approached Draco – it would 
need 
> mentioning, and I agree that it alters the story. As it is, the 
> story is told so that nobody has difficulty in believing that 
Malfoy 
> wants to join the Des. Hermione doubts whether Voldemort would use 
a 
> teenager – but not that Draco would like to join. Dumbledore 
doesn't 
> ask – how the hell did you come to get such a task. 

Magpie:
But Voldemort approaching Draco IS mentioned.  It's implied in 
Narcissa's telling us how he's assigned a task to Draco she thinks 
is supposed to kill him, and Bellatrix saying it's an honor to be 
asked and Snape saying Voldemort wants Draco to try first. 
Dumbledore, too, seems to accept that Voldemort gave him the task to 
punish Lucius, it seems to me, as does Draco in the end.  Draco was 
eager to do it, but he's still the one who's the patsy.

Orna:
It seems quite 
> assumed that Draco joined voluntarily, proudly, and during the 
> process discovers slowly "the bitter pill" - he is not built to be 
a 
> killer, or a DE. Had he been approached by Voldemort, and just 
> agreed (even happily) his lesson or potential transformation 
> wouldn't be so bitter, or even important. And I think that 
Dumbledore 
> would check this point out – as he did with Fenrir being invited. 

Magpie:
But this is exactly the change in the story the book doesn't 
support.  You're wanting the extra bitterness and importance of it 
being just that much more of a personal comeuppance--ha ha, you 
tried to suck up to Voldemort and it bit you on the butt.  That's 
what would need to be in the story--and I think it would be played 
out explicitly.  In the story as is you've still got the irony of 
Draco being eager to accept his task, and that being a DE was what 
Draco wanted.  Only the task has appeared for the reason everyone in 
canon seems to agree on--Voldemort is angry at Lucius and has given 
his son this mission as punishment. 

Orna:
> The starting point is IMO - you think you are a killer, you began 
to 
> follow this path - slowly you have to admit that you were wrong 
> about yourself. 

Magpie:
Yes, but how he begins to follow this path is important.  He's 
wanted this life and gets his chance when he's offered a mission.  
As he starts to try to fulfill the mission he learns he's not a 
killer.  In your version he's started to follow the path through a 
different means which are turned back on him.  He's hoisted on his 
own petard.

Orna:
It's taking responsibilities on your choices, which 
> would be weakened if his choice would be being tempted or 
threatened 
> by Voldemort to join.

Magpie:
Again, this is exactly what's not in the book the way it's 
specifically being played out here. In this version Draco's choice 
was to go to Voldemort and brag and the consequence is being handed 
this mission that's more than he wanted.  In canon Draco's previous 
behavior is still affecting his situation, but what he's playing out 
is punishment for his *father's* choices.  He's given a task he 
thinks is glorious and tries to fulfill it, and realizes the reality 
doing that.  His being punished for his father doesn't turn Draco 
into an innocent who never wanted this kind of task, but I still 
think it's important to the story.

Orna:
 Dumbledore doesn't tell him when he wants to 
> show him he is not a killer "You didn't even ask for this job".

Magpie:
But Narcissa says he was chosen as punishment.  Dumbledore agrees 
that Voldemort expects Dumbledore to kill him.  Draco says they all 
thought he'd die.  The task as punishment for Lucius is the only 
reason anyone ever gives for his being given this task.  I think 
Dumbledore doesn't say "you didn't even ask for this job" because he 
probably doesn't know he needs to put down that misunderstanding 
since nobody in canon is under it.:)  It's just not relevent to the 
situation to say that anyway because Draco was eager to take on the 
job.  (Besides which, I don't think DD is a big one for noting that 
we don't ask for the jobs we have--Harry didn't ask for his job, but 
that's tough.)

-m