JKR's Intent - epilogue

[sistermagpie]

No: HPFGUIDX 178780

> Jen: If that's the case, then Draco is standing on the platform 
with 
> his family, upholding the primary virtue of the story, so my 
reading 
> would be that choosing family transcends things like houses at 
> Hogwarts.  Turns out the houses didn't matter that much after all 
> because those who chose family or friends were the 'great' ones, 
> which would include Snape, Regulus, Draco and Narcissa.

Magpie:
I would say that's very explicit in the text too. They aren't the 
*great* ones, but they're the Slytherins who aren't totally lost. I 
wouldn't say that means Houses don't matter entirely, because with 
the Slytherins this is their saving grace. Other characters have far 
more.

Lizzyben:
Well, I agree that "choosing family" is represented as an ultimate 
good (well, expect for Marietta, I guess). 

Magpie:
And Sirius. I mean, Sirius choosing against his family seems like a 
good choice...though he did suffer for it. I think choosing family 
has to be understood to be somehow choosing against Voldemort. Snape 
chose Lily rather than Voldemort. Regulus chose Kreacher rather than 
Voldemort. Draco, Narcissa and Lucius chose each other over 
Voldemort. The Slytherins all started out choosing Voldemort. 
(Marietta didn't intentionally choose Voldemort, but sort of did 
anyway.)

Also, missed these before, but:

zgirnius:
(E. g. Winky was having difficulty running
during the DE attack in GoF, because Crouch's orders to her had nto
covered that contingency).

Magpie:
Winky was having trouble running because she was being restrained by 
the Invisible Barty Jr., wasn't she? 

zgirnius:
Next, consider the time at 12 GP. Other than matters directly
relating to Horcruxes (and, that actually benefited Kreacher, who was
still in the condition of having failed to destroy the locket as
ordered) what orders did Harry give to Kreacher?

Magpie:
Orders regarding Horcruxes count. An order is an order whther it 
benefits Kreacher or not.

-m