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

[wynnleaf]

No: HPFGUIDX 169253

wynnleaf
It's interesting that to make Hermione's decision "okay" readers 
generally have to add to canon some extra aspect to it that isn't even
hinted at in canon.

1.  The pustules will wear off.  Not only is this not hinted at, the
mention of the hex continuing in HBP is more of a clue that the hex
*isn't* going to just wear off.

2.  Marietta has to "do something," presumably showing some sort of
contrition, and then the hex will wear off.  Another imagined idea
that has nothing to do with canon.  We are given no indication that
there's anything Marietta can do.  Hermione doesn't appear to be
waiting for any response from Marietta.  And Marietta has now lost her
memory of the events anyway, so it's rather a stretch to think she can
feel sorry for something she can't much recall.

3.  The hex is really just acne.  Another distortion of the clear
point in canon that her face was "horribly disfigured."  Most
sufferers of acne aren't "horribly disfigured."  And most acne is
certainly not permanent.

4.  The hex can be fixed by other adults, but they haven't done that
yet because they feel Marietta should continue to be punished a bit
longer.  Once again, this flies in the face of canon where we're told
that others weren't able to cure the hex.  We have canon evidence that
Marietta's mother would likely have supported her and would,
therefore, likely have done whatever possible to get the hex reversed.  

Why the extra-canon alternatives?  If we look solely at canon, we see
a permanent and "horribly disfiguring" hex on a girl who cannot really
recall the circumstances that caused it to occur.  We've got Hermione
unconcerned with this state of affairs and going on about her life. 
And we see Harry satisfied with the state of affairs.

If we don't put in any non-canon additions to make the whole thing
prettier, it's really a very ugly situation.

wynnleaf