CHAPDISC: DH10, Kreacher's Tale

[Ceridwen]

No: HPFGUIDX 180062

michele:
4. Kreacher mentions that Sirius' leaving home broke his mother's
heart. Does this new bit of information seem to contradict Sirius'
story about his relationship with his family?

Ceridwen:
Of course it contradicts Sirius's story.  I don't think this makes 
Sirius wrong, he really did believe he and his family were on the 
outs.  Parents can give mixed signals, and kids don't always 
understand them, especially if the family is somewhat naturally 
distant.  Given Kreacher's remark, Sirius was wrong about his 
mother's feelings.  That was a tragedy for Sirius and his family.

michele:
5. Regulus joined the DEs when he was 16, which means that Voldemort
really had no age limit for his recruits. How does this contrast with
the Order of the Phoenix? Ignoring that the DE's are evil and the
Order is good, do you think that the DEs support the notion of
fighting for what you believe in, regardless of age? In other words,
do you agree with the Order's stance of not allowing underage wizards
to join or do you agree with the Death Eater's stance instead?

Ceridwen:
If the DE's minimum age limit was sixteen, then I would agree with 
them and not with the Order, but only just barely.  In my opinion, a 
person of sixteen is still easily influenced by parents, a favorite 
teacher, upbringing, or a celebrity, but the same person is too old 
to be kept out of politics or movements.  I'm glad you asked this the 
way you did, because it can be easy to get wrapped up in what the two 
organizations stood for.  We're afraid that the sixteen year old who 
is demonstrating against something we believe in has been talked into 
it by someone unscrupulous, but don't have the same qualms about the 
sixteen year old who marches for something we agree with.  Either a 
person is capable of deciding at sixteen, or a person isn't.  I 
personally think a sixteen year old in fact too young, but is too old 
to be kept from making a choice and learning how to find his or her 
own way.

Very nice summary and questions!  Thanks!

Ceridwen.