Saving Private Draco WAS :Re: Wands and Wizards...Again

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 183633

Montavilla47:
Exactly!

The thing about Harry saving Draco from the fire is that there really
isn't a point in the series--including their duel in the bathroom--
when Harry *wouldn't* have saved Draco from a fire. At eleven, Harry
saves people. At twelve, he saves people. He keeps doing this
consistently in every year--whether he likes the people or not.

So, Harry saving Draco from the fire is not a significant act in terms
of Harry's growth as a character. Which is why, for me anyway, the
moment falls flat. It's really just another moment when Harry is
awesome with the added zest of making Draco beholden to Harry
for saving his life--like he wouldn't be anyway when Harry
dies to save him along with everyone else.
<SNIP>

Alla:

I disagree. I do not believe that during seven books Harry would have 
ever had an inclination to save Draco from the fire, so yes for me it 
is a big character growth moment. Harry saves people, but I remember 
Harry happily leaving Draco in the compartment of the train and doing 
swat to help them in GoF. Mind you, I am not begrudging him one bit, 
I think for what Draco did in GoF he deserved all he got and more, 
but saving Draco's life?

When does Harry ever express the desire to do that?

Yes, absolutely he saves people since he was eleven, but to me the 
writer showing how the quality that is very significant for Harry 
grows is precisely that – showing character growth.

And to me it starts in HBP when Harry feels small pity for Draco and 
then it translates into Harry saving him. 

So yes that was very significant for me. 

Oh and about Harry saving people he does not like. Um, I do not 
remember him  deciding to save Crabbe at all. Does not sound to me 
that Harry's goal in life is to save everybody, and nevertheless he 
chooses to save Draco, somebody whom IMO he would not have given a 
second thought a year ago either.

JMO,

Alla