Saving Private Draco SPOILERS for Dresden files

[montavilla47]

No: HPFGUIDX 183659

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "cubfanbudwoman" <susiequsie23 at ...> wrote:
>
> montavilla47 wrote:
> 
> > Which puts a little different spin on those Unforgivables.  Maybe 
> > they aren't evil at all.  Maybe they're just *adult* and it's a 
> > sign of Harry's maturity that he's able to use them with impunity.
> > 
> > Or, maybe it's to show that he's *better* than Dumbledore, since
> > he's able to use spells that are too much of a temptation for 
> > Dumbledore.
> 
> 
> SSSusan:
> Oh, now that's interesting!
> 
> So you're saying that, rather than Harry being *worse* than DD 
> because he used Unforgivables which DD was "too noble" to use, Harry 
> is *better* than DD because he *could* them and was strong enough not 
> to "turn Dark" in the process.  Is that what you're getting at?
> 
> If so, does that mean that you think DD didn't use Unforgivables 
> *not* so much because he was too noble, but because he feared he was 
> too weak and might give in to the power of using Dark curses?
> 
> Or am I misreading you entirely? :)
> 
> Siriusly Snapey Susan

Montavilla47:
You're not misreading me.  I was being a little tongue in cheek when
I wrote that, but I think the reading is supported by the text.

We start the series with McGonagall (in the very first chapter) praising
Dumbledore as "too noble" to use Dark Magic.  He tuts in return, looking
pleased, if I recall.

In the fourth book, the Unforgivables are introduced as the worst curses
imaginable--used mainly by the Death Eaters.  We're also told that
Crouch, Sr. authorized their use, but only because times were desperate
and that its a mark in Moody's favor that he only used them when he 
truly needed to.

In OotP, we're told by Bellatrix that "righteous anger" isn't enough to
cast a Crucio.  You must really enjoy causing pain.  (Something which
was extrapolated between HBP and DH to include the Avada Kadavra--
one could only cast the AK, readers theorized, if you really hated the
person in front of you and really, really wanted them dead.)

Much of the condemnation by readers for Snape after HBP was 
bolstered by his use of the AK, rather than a more forgivable spell that
would have killed Dumbledore just as much.  Moreover, we got this
question about *all* the Prince's spells.  Hermione wouldn't participate
in any conversation covered by Muffliato, and she reminded Harry that
Levicorpus was used by the DEs in GoF to torment muggles.  Even Snape
told Harry that Sectumsempra was Dark Magic.

But, in DH, these objections to Dark Magic melt away like the snow in 
spring.  Hermione regularly uses Muffliato to ward their tent.  Levicorpus
is used to help Harry get the Hufflepuff cup (although why Wingardium 
Leviosa wouldn't work is puzzling).  Sectumsempra is used to save Lupin.
We learn that AK was used as the quickest, most humane way to 
kill Dumbledore.  And Harry uses both Imperius and Crucio to perform
heroic feats.

Whereupon his use of the Dark Magic is praised by McGonagall as 
"gallant" (how far is "gallant" from "noble"?) and emulated.

Dumbledore was tempted in his youth by power and Dark Magic.  
He gave in to that (along with his lust) and disastrous things took
place.  Forever after, he shrank from the temptation of love (he 
remained celebate), power (he refused the Ministry three times), 
and Dark Magic (he famously never used Dark Spells).

Harry, however, is stronger than Dumbledore.  Like Dumbledore
with Grindlewald, he is offered the gift of sexual love by Ginny.  But, 
unlike Dumbledore, he doesn't fall into that trap and lose his primary
values.

Like Dumbledore, Harry has his own private army. But he quickly
drops the D.A., proving himself able to resist the temptation of 
power.

Unlike Dumbledore, Harry is able to use Dark Magic without 
becoming tainted by it.  He is able to draw on the lesson that
Bellatrix taught him, but his power of love keeps him from
any kind of seduction the Dark Arts might hold. 

It's almost a parallel to the Hallows, isn't it? Dumbledore 
gave in to temptation with them, and died for his weakness.
In addition to becoming the Master of Death, Harry became 
the Master of Magic--able to use both Light and Dark 
magic.  

Is that sort of like Luke restoring balance to the Force?