Draco and Dark Mark (Was: Working mothers)

[Laura Lynn Walsh]

No: HPFGUIDX 181852


On 2008, Mar 03, , at 06:07, montavilla47 wrote:

> --- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "a_svirn" <a_svirn at ...> wrote:
>>
>>> Montavilla47:
>>> Draco becomes a Death Eater (or does he?  We never do
>>> know if he gets the mark) in spite of his mother's devotion.
>>
>> a_svirn:
>> Does it matter? Would his actions be more contemptible if he had the
>> mark? I don't think so, especially since he didn't really have any
>> choice in the matter. It would have been Voldemort's choice.
>
> Montavilla47:
> I don't think it really matters.  It was just something that struck
> me as I was writing the post.  We never did find out if Draco
> wore the dark mark.  Then I started to wonder if, if Draco had
> gotten the dark mark, if he would have been standing on that
> platform in the epilogue, or if he would have been in Azkaban
> instead.

I think it matters whether Draco got the Dark Mark or not, because
of the consequences to him.  Personally, I think he did get the
Dark Mark, because of the new sense of entitlement he exhibits
in the first part of HBP.  He is full of the fervor of someone who
recently joined a group that has power in people's eyes.  At that
point, like Regulus, he has not realized what it can do to him and
to his family.

The thing is, once he figured out how much VM was trying to
utterly destroy his family, he couldn't get out and he knew it.  His
circumstances were different - his family KNEW about his involvement
and would be punished for its failure.  And Draco never does show
the courage that Harry shows.  (He was correctly NOT placed in
Gryffindor.)

And, as to the last question: whether he would have been standing
on the platform in the epilogue, I would also say, yes, he would.  If
Snape had lived and had had a reason to be there, he would be, so
would Ludo Bagman, both of whom had Dark Marks.  Furthermore,
I think Harry would be the one to insure that he was able to get there.
Harry could testify that Draco couldn't kill Dumbledore and that the
only reason he continued with his promise to try was that he truly
thought that it was the only way to save his family.

I think Draco's eventual redemption is BECAUSE of his mother.
She showed unwavering love towards him and towards his
father.  It is Draco's love of his family that helps him see the
problems with Voldemort's world.

Laura Walsh
-- 
Laura Lynn Walsh    lwalsh at acsalaska.net
http://llwcontemplations.blogspot.com



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