Re: [HPforGrownups] Draco and Intent: Re: Snape and Harry's Sadism (was: Lack of re-examination)

[k12listmomma]

No: HPFGUIDX 186819

>> > Montavllla47:
>> > In other words, it wasn't impossible for Harry to become friends with 
>> > Draco,  but it would have required that Draco modify his values to 
>> > include respecting Ron and Hermione--even if he wasn't cordial to them.
>> >
>>
>> Pippin:
>> Right. But the reader is supposed to respect Ron and Hermione, and should 
>> feel that Draco needs to modify his values before he can be a worthy 
>> friend.

Shelley:
What is maturity? You learn to respect people not because of the values that 
they hold (that they match yours, or that they run in your "click"), but 
simply because they are people. You learn to get along with people whom hold 
different values than yourself. I can get along with people who are gay 
while still holding to the belief that homosexuality is wrong, and in this 
regard, Harry could become friends with Draco without forcing him to totally 
give up his beliefs about purebloods being superior. Harry could become 
friends with Draco without Draco being friends with Ron or Hermione. 
Sometimes, other events transcend our fundamental differences, and we can be 
friends despite those differences. So, in that regard, no, I wouldn't agree 
that we should feel that Draco needs to be modified in his values before he 
could be a friend to Harry. Rather, I would see the common background (the 
events with the firefiend) as seed for that friendship to grow, and that 
Draco might be expected to soften his stance on pureblood superiority as a 
result of a strong friendship with Harry, but that Harry would be a strong 
enough person not to just demand that change first.

I think this series shows us that Harry is mature enough to offer that 
branch- he saves Draco's life, willingly, and without regard to Draco's 
ideologies. We don't know how much they interact as adults, but it's not an 
inconceivable idea in my mind of a friendship that might grow based on 
Harry's maturity and not demanding that Draco first change his views before 
Harry offers to Draco kindness and respect. All that would be required for a 
friendship is that Draco return the same.