CHAPDISC: DH, EPILOGUE

[Carol]

No: HPFGUIDX 185522

Laura wrote:
<snip>

> Then do you think that Draco is changed?  A name like this, with its
reptilian, threatening overtone, suggests otherwise to me.  JRK is
very deliberate about names, and this one isn't exactly warm and cuddly.
> <snip>

Carol responds:

I agree that the name Scorpius isn't warm and cuddly, but it does fit
the Black family tradition of constellation names (Scorpio is a major
constellation) while changing the ending to -us to fit the Malfoy
family tradition of Latin masculine names ending in -us (Lucius, Abraxus).

And there's nothing reptilian about scorpions. They're arachnids!
Calling a scorpion a reptile is like calling a bat a bird.

Carol, who thinks that Draco's nod to Harry (in contrast to Lucius
Malfoy's behavior toward Mr. Weasley) says all we need to know about
the somewhat flawed but still not entirely cordial atmosphere between
the two Houses