Responses to Marietta (was: Misc. responses, some quite old)

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 169224

---  "pippin_999" <foxmoth at ...> wrote:
>
> > What was truly disturbing to me was Harry's gleeful
> > reaction to seeing that Marietta was *still* 
> > disfigured in HBP.  The parallel between her oozing
> > pustules and the type of atrocities that are 
> > regularly (and rightly) condemned by human rights 
> > organizations--such as facial branding or 
> > disfigurement with acid--is too close for me to 
> > think that JKR endorses Hermione's actions.
> 
> Pippin:
> Especially since there's such an obvious parallel 
> with Umbridge's scarring of Harry. Hermione certainly
> wasn't okay with the Ministry having that kind of 
> power! 
> 
> I admire Hermione's principles, her courage, and 
> her good intentions. I often admire her actions, but 
> not in this case. ..., she got carried away with her 
> cleverness and let her powers run away with her. 
> While I think Harry and Hermione already realize that 
> this is not something that only happens to "bad" 
> wizards, I think they have yet to realize that it 
> could happen to them.
> 
> Pippin
>


bboyminn:

Two parallel threads going on now about this subject.
I think to some extent I agree with both Carol and
Pippin.

First, I think those making a case against Hermione's
actions are grossly overstating themselves. Though 
that is actually very common, it's a way of highlighting
a point. But none the less, I think they are 
exaggerating the event.

However, I do agree that Hermione got carried away. I
think she was right to protect the group from traitors,
but I think she let the punishment go on a little too 
long. Though, I think she had plenty of things to
distract her in HBP.

Also, the series isn't over yet, Marietta's 
'disfigurement' is only permanent if Hermione continues
to let it go on. Personally, I feel that in the next 
book, friend and not-so-friend alike must band together
against Voldemort. In this stead, Hermione will realize
that in the fight against Voldemort, Marietta and her 
mother are their allies, and Hermione will lift the 
curse.

So, Marietta suffers a little, but it's not like she was
beat with an ugly stick. She has acne that is exacerbated
by the fact that it has taken on a clear and specific 
shape. But it doesn't stop her from functioning. She isn't
in any way crippled, just embarrassed as she should be. 
She'll get over it. She will especially get over it when
(as I predict) Hermione realizes that NOW they are all 
allies and lifts the curse. 

So, my main point is, don't lock yourself into a judgment
when the story hasn't fully played out. Let's see what
Hermione does next before we condemn her.

Just a thought.

Steve/bboyminn