Identifying with Muggles in Potterverse

[a_svirn]

No: HPFGUIDX 158118

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Lynda Cordova" 
<moosiemlo at ...> wrote:
>
> a_svirn:
> Well, yes, using your extraordinary brainpower against someone, 
let's
> say, *ordinary* means taking advantage of a certain power 
imbalance.
> And you know what? It's not a pretty sight. It's a kind of snooty
> behaviour that earned Snape, for instance, his *slimy git* 
reputation.
> But thing is, hard words break no bones. A curse might, though, all
> that and more. There's the difference.
> 
> Lynda:
> 
> But that's the point.  What DD did to the Dursleys was not 
hurtful, it was
> done gently and it was done to let them know that somebody at 
least realizes
> that Harry was mistreated by the Dursleys and not just Harry but 
that Dudley
> has come to harm under the care of the Dursleys senior himself.  
BTW, the
> Dursleys treated DD very poorly in that scene. Vernon Dursley 
simply has
> no manners whatsoever.  (Yes I know it was late and he was 
unexpected but
> still...)
> 

a_svirn:
No, it's not the point. At least, not as far as I am concerned. The 
point is, that although Dumbledore did not hurt the Dursleys 
or "beat them into a bloody pulp" he did indeed used his magic in 
order to intimidate them. Now, if you say that they deserved what 
they got, it's OK with me. Personally I don't like the scene, but 
again I understand that some people like to see the Dursleys getting 
their butts kicked. What I don't understand is how you can possibly 
say that an act of intimidation can be "gently done" (unless you are 
being sardonic). Either he rebuked them, or he was gracious. You 
can't bend it both ways.