[HPforGrownups] Re: Responses to Marietta

[ivogun]

No: HPFGUIDX 169241


Barbara:

I read something else into Marietta's punishment. She is given a bad case of acne-- a 
magical, over-the-top, type of acne, but nevertheless acne.  And like most magical things, 
it is an exaggerated form of the muggle version.  In many ways her acne seems to mirror 
the real version.  Marietta's attempts to cover her pustules in the same way many of us try 
to do. I think acne sufferers can find some solace. ( I have adult acne--roseacea.) Also in 
the same way that muggle doctor's struggle a bit to manage muggle acne, the healers are 
having trouble controlling Marietta's magical version.  

I don't think we are meant to believe that Marietta will be permanently disfigured, for we 
learn via Tonks that wizards can alter there appearance via transformation.  Most likely 
Marietta will learn how to alter her face and out-grow her condition. 

Hopefully though Marietta and others will learn to take oaths seriously.  In the next book 
oath taking (and breaking) becomes a life and death matter. Prof. Snape 
(who should know better!) has gotten himself in a mess by making an oath. 

What I find amusing is that Hermione came up with this curse. It's the ultimate teenage 
curse--bad acne. She could have come up with something much worse.  I believe that 
Hermione was attempting to find deterrent that was meaningful but not hideous. It wasn't 
much of a deterrent though.