Dark Book, was Re: Dark Magic (+ a little Marietta)/Karma and the Twins

[Jen Reese]

No: HPFGUIDX 176933

lizzyben:
> I know a little bit about the psychology of mass violence, and while
> reading this story, I could tick off each of the stages of genocide
> in my head. (Separation, symbolization, dehumanization, 
> demonization...).

Jen: That is part of the story - for Muggleborns.  'Mudlbloods'; the 
Muggle-born registration committee and the taking away of rights and 
wands; kids not being allowed in Hogwarts unless they register, etc. 
How is this same process happening at Hogwarts during the year for 
Slytherin students?  There's no evidence of Slytherin students being 
forcibly segregated or separated out to experience specific 
punishments, having slurs assigned to their group, having rights or 
wands taken away.  Taking the end scene and working backwards to say 
this is occurring doesn't work unless there's actual evidence that 
the steps of the process were taken.

lizzyben:
> When McGonegal threatens to kill the Slytherin students, & the
> entire school aims their wands at the Slytherin table, Hogwarts
> teeters dangerously on the brink of the last stage - extermination.

Jen: First of all, McGonagall made it very clear to Slughorn that he 
and his students could evacuate if they chose to do so but now was 
the time to decide upon loyalties.  Then the entire house shows up in 
the Great Hall!  What's McGonagall supposed to think happened there 
except that Slytherin has decided they want to take part in securing 
the castle against Voldemort?  They haven't evacuated, they arrive 
with the other students.  You don't offer evacuation to victims 
you're on the brink of exterminating, btw.  

Then Pansy speaks out, not acting like a dehumanized, helpless victim 
in this scene to my eyes, and sides with the leader of the oppressive 
regime.  That *is* a declaration of loyalty, fightin' words in a 
war.  There's no way to know if she speaks for herself only, a couple 
of students, the entire house, etc. but she makes it improbable for 
her house to remain after a declaration of loyalty like that.

lizzyben:
> Imagine how McGonegal felt, watching all this, watching her students
> being beat up & tortured, as the Head of Slytherin House oversees 
> it.  Watching DD's murderer take over w/his DE friends. Wouldn't 
> she be filled w/rage at Snape? Wouldn't she start to hate Slytherin
> House in general? She does try to kill Snape, uses an Unforgiveable
> Curse, & then threatens the entire Slytherin House w/death. She's 
> lost it, pushed beyond the brink by the stress & anger she's 
> experienced. And she's lost the ability to distinguish Slytherin 
> students as individuals, but instead totally associates them w/the
> Death Eaters, Snape, murder & evil. She's fallen perilously close 
> to approving of killing Slytherins in general as revenge on the
> Death Eaters.

Jen:  I'm sure McGonagall has plenty of feelings about what occurred 
over the year; however, she's presented consistent with her 
characterization as in control of the situation and herself.  The 
moment Harry tells McGonagall he's acting on Dumbledore's orders, the 
situation changes, as noted here:  "You're acting on *Dumbledore's* 
orders?" she repeated with a look of dawning wonder.  Then she drew 
herself up to her fullest height.  "We shall secure the school 
against He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named while you search for this - object."

When Snape appears on the scene shortly after, he is the enemy in her 
eyes and she's become the head of a resistance movement rather than 
simply an acting headmistress anymore.  From her view, Snape is 
attempting to sniff out Harry and turn him over to Voldemort when he 
arrives (because there's no reason in her eyes for Snape to act any 
differently from the Carrows), and Snape is making what comes across 
as a veiled threat to take that very action - "Have you seen Harry 
Potter, Minerva?  Because if you have, I must insist -"  That was 
provocation enough for her to start a duel to defend Harry (she's 
taught Harry for six years; she's pretty clear Harry is no match for 
Snape. <g>)

When Slughorn arrives, he is *not* the enemy, McGonagall doesn't take 
up her wand against him.  He expresses hesitation about participating 
in the resistance, "I'm not at all sure whether this is wise, 
Minerva.  He is bound to find a way in, you know, and anyone who has 
tried to delay him will be in most grievous peril - "  McGonagall 
does what any resistance leader would do - leave if you don't want to 
fight but don't take steps to undermine us or you will become part of 
the enemy fighting against us.  She then gives him the chance to make 
his own decision: "The time has come for Slytherin house to decide 
upon its loyalties..."  

Jen

(All quotes from DH, chap. 30, pgs. 598-601, US ed.)