Danger in designating an "Other" / Bad magic

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 174131

> >>Beatrice:
> There is so much on this thread that I am not even going to try to 
> snip a few sentences to address.
> 
> I do however, want to ask people to consider two points.  First,    
> that we have a limited view of Slytherin, because we are somewhat   
> limited to Harry's view on that house, not because JKR has a narrow 
> view of the people sorted into that house.
> <snip>

Betsy Hp:
Since canon is closed, what's in the books is all we've got.  And 
Slytherin is definitely the house of "lesser than", as you point out 
later on in your post. (The examples I snipped.)  So Harry's view is 
correct and therefore matches JKR's.

> >>Beatrice:
> Second, I don't agree with that Slytherin is "evil" nor that evil   
> is the right way to label all of its members.
> <snip>

Betsy Hp:
Yes, but they're certainly "most likely to become evil".  The Houses 
are on a definite ladder of purity and worth.  With Gryffindor at the 
highest (they can throw Crucio's and remain pure), and Slytherin at 
the lowest (even their love is twisted).

So the story ends with Slytherin properly put in its place and golden 
Gryffindor ready to keep them there.

> >>Beatrice:
> I suspect however, that Malfoy,is perhaps (although it has not been 
> widely discussed) is truly at the heart of this discussion, as     
> readers many have been hoping that Malfoy would be redeemed through 
> the novel  a lot of fan fiction ink has been spilled on this       
> particular subject.
> <snip>

Betsy Hp:
I haven't seen much lamenting on list that JKR Jossed someone's 
fanfic.  So I think this is a bit of a straw man.

I *have* lamented Draco's fate on list (I think?) but more because he 
represents Slytherin for his generation and the outcome is not good.  
Though to be honest, I'm more horrified at the theory put forth that 
so many children can be deemed "lesser than" or "most likely to go 
bad" at such a young age to be too worried about how one particular 
Slytherin turned out.  (Though I do wonder why so much page-space was 
wasted on him in HBP when we *could* have gotten some Hollows and 
Dumbledore foreshadowing instead.)  

> >>Beatrice:
> <snip>
> Malfoy isn't redeemed in the novel, because he stays true 
> to character, despite the terror and abuse he receives at the hand 
> of LV, his father and other DE's, Malfoy isn't introspective enough 
> to seek redemption, all he seeks is power, although as readers we   
> see how limited his power is, to assuage his powerlessness, and     
> glory (again feeble as it is) to cure his inferiority.  What is    
> perhaps tragic about him, is that he is offered mercy by            
> Dumbledore, and Harry and doesn't have the brains to grab it.

Betsy Hp:
Well yes, exactly.  That's how Slytherin's are.  Stupid, selfish, 
greedy and cowardly.  And that's the "not evil" side of the House.  
Isn't it wonderful that the WW has a way of figuring out all the 
children like that and keeps them thoughtfully grouped together so as 
to not bother the blessed children?  Too bad we don't have a similar 
sorting hat in RL, eh? <eg>  (Though I know groups that think we do 
have workable methods.)

Betsy Hp