The Hardest Parts

[StephanieCurrier]

No: HPFGUIDX 173627

Seriously Snapey Susan wrote:
 >>>(1) We see Narcissa, LYING to Lord Voldemort, telling him that Harry
is dead. Sure, she did it because she was crazy to find her child,
but she did it! And if she had not done so, what would the outcome
have been?? Nagini had not yet been destroyed. It was a necessary,
vital piece of the puzzle that had to be put into place (p.726).<<<
And
>>>
(3) We see Lucius, Narcissa & Draco in the Great Hall after it's all
over. Yes, alone; yes, not sure hot to fit in; but they're THERE.
They did not flee with the other Death Eaters. Doesn't that show
something? (pp. 745-746)<<<

YES, and the reason Narcissa was asking about her son, was that Draco did 
not return
to Voldemort. Cowardice and all, he stayed at the castle even after he was 
rescued, etc.
Maybe Draco's role is up for debate (I'm going to read the book again this 
week) but I read it
as his staying by will at some point.

I believe JKR showed progress, but little progress, because that is how she 
sees our
current circumstances. She wanted to show where authentic progress was being 
made,
and how slooooowwwllly that happens. I believe it was her way of leaving a 
sense of
obligation to the "next generation" to make more efforts. There are 
countries that have
made little movement toward human rights, and countries which formerly 
worked to make
strides but are fatigued, etc. She was working to show a spectrum of 
development, (some characters making large leaps
and others making moves at a snail's pace) within
a school paradigm. Yes, some things could have been clearer, but especially 
with regard to Snape's looks,
I believe a small part of what she saying is the simple message:
"Don't judge a person by outward appearance." / "You can never tell what is 
going on in someone's heart."

I'm so happy for the back-story there, although of course I was left wanting 
because I'd have liked the whole book
to have been about Snape's motivations, etc. I THINK that the frustration 
she has left over Snape is going
to cause people (not just in fanfiction but fiction period), to write more 
ambiguous and
multi-faceted anti-hero characters. I cannot wait.

Lily wasn't just Snapes best friend, btw, she has written as really, his 
*only* Friend. He may have known
people, but he was solitary for the most part, in the memories. In the end 
its what made him
useful because no one in Voldy's camp knew him well enough to be able to 
really tell when things were *off.*

Harry (whose journey of change we've been on) will never see Gryffindor as a 
"perfect" house
again. He will see that he was part of a house where his dad and friends 
were able to bully and
think too highly of themselves, as well as a house in which certain 
qualities are expected. He will
never see Slytherin as an "evil" house again. Slytherin's place might not be 
so clear and simple, but Harry
will never see it as a sign of a dark destiny again. What about Hufflepuff? 
I'm surprised no one cares
how weak and useless Hufflepuff still comes out. Slytherin's talked about: 
It is important
and mysterious and Matters. Ravenclaw is intelligent: One can be proud of 
being sorted there.
What of Hufflepuff? I think it would be worse to be in the house
that seems of not much consequence, unless I'm simply missing its great part 
in things.

I think the *best* message is found with Neville, who stood
up to his friends, which is something neither Lupin nor Snape were able to 
do. That's a message I
see the greatest significance in. One can't stand up to traditions and 
systems until they are able to stand
up to their friends/family members/etc.


-Stephanie, who has her issues with the book, but doesn't see the ill intent 
some ascribe.