Right vs. Easy (Ron WAS: Re: DH reread CH 4-5)

[Zara]

No: HPFGUIDX 186356

> Magpie:
> So when Harry decides to take credit for the Prince's work or cheat on his divination homework or Ron decides to Confund the driving instructor, that doesn't at all seem more about "easy" than places where a character is choosing out of cowardice?

Zara:
I am not saying that courage vs. cowardice is *exactly the same as* right vs. easy. I am saying that courage vs. cowardice is a prime *example* of right vs. easy (and likely the one Albus had in mind when he spoke the phrase). Cheating in class is another kind of easy, I would agree. Though, even relating to that same example, Harry's fear that Slughorn will realize he has been cheating all year is stated as a motivation for his lies to Snape about the Potions book.

This easy choice by Harry is of course shown to have consequences. Harry serves quite a few detentions as a result, and misses the final Quidditch game of the season. On the level of schoolboy infractions (which cheating in class is) this is a serious consequence.

> Magpie:
> I'd say there's plenty of examples in canon without wanting to raise my hand and disagree with the idea that because something is cowardly it was easy. Which is probably why I wouldn't be Sorted in Gryffindor.

Zara:
Hmm, no Gryffindor I, either (Ravenclaw all the way) but to me this seems almost a tautology. If not easy, how about "easier"? I mean, why does Peter cut off his own hand? I agree that, *to me*, letting Voldy-baby drown in his cauldron seems the easier choice. (Leaving him in Albania seems even easier, a real no-brainer). But what matters is what Peter thinks. And to me, anyway, it seems that to Peter standing up for himself and trying to strike out on his own, is so incredibly dauntingly difficult, at least in his mind, that he sees himself as having no choice but to comply with the bully du jour.
Whether it is not reacting to Sirius's insults as a teen, or performing difficult tasks for Voldemort as an adult.