Draco and Intent: Re: Snape and Harry’s Sadism (was: Lack of re-examination)

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 186754

> >>jkoney:
> <snip> I still don't agree with the fact that none of the Malfoy's were sent to prison for at least some punishment.

Betsy Hp:
Are we ever told they weren't? *is curious*  But yes, we're not told that they were.  I think we're supposed to pretty much forget about the Malfoys in the end. Maybe as failed also-rans to the more effective Death Eaters?

> > >Betsy Hp:
> > <snip> As someone who grew up with "Malory Towers" (a "school-days" series) Draco seemed prime to become Harry's best friend. Everything about our first scene with him screamed "learning moment to come".  So that's an example of my personal experience trumping what the author was trying to get across.

> >>jkoney:
> Aren't you then ignoring what was written?

Betsy Hp:
No, because what was written fit the trope so well. I do agree that my personal experience led me in a different direction than JKR was meaning to direct me, but I wasn't completely ignoring the text.  I just interpreted it differently.

> >>jkoney:
> If not at that point, which I didn't read as generously as you did, what about the train scene? Draco insults Ron and then threatens Harry about meeting the same end as his parents. I definitely think the author is trying to say that these two aren't going to be friends.

Betsy Hp:
Draco insults Ron after Ron snickers over his name (in retrospect an odd action considering common wizard names) and he threatens Harry after Harry shames him.  Seemed like children acting like children to me.  Nothing that couldn't be fixed with a good adventure and some growing moments. :)  (The trope was still being well followed.)

> >>Betsy Hp
> > <snip> And there was the fact that when he had the ammunition to get Harry kicked out of school (the hidden dragon plot), Draco chose not to use it.  It seemed so obvious he was still wanting to be friends... <snip>

> >>jkoney:
> You thought he still wanted to be friends with Harry? 

Betsy Hp:
Yes. :)  Otherwise, why not spill the beans?  (That's actually a lingering question: why didn't Draco tell? The "he wanted to capture them himself," response is only reasonable if we totally ignore Draco's character. Really, Draco's constant hovering around Harry over the years is hard to explain.)

> >>jkoney:
> JKR has Draco threaten Harry: "I'd be carful if I were you , Potter."
> "Unless youre a bit politer you'll go the same way as your parents. They didn't know what was good for them, either."
> To me that was the gauntlet being thrown down. I'm not sure she could have been much more direct about how we were supposed to view Draco.

Betsy Hp:
Oh yes, Draco definitely threw down a gauntlet.  I just thought it was a gauntlet foreshadowing a story and life lesson.  Instead it was just...  well, it didn't really turn out to be all that much, did it?  Draco doesn't really effect Harry's life much, especially after PS/SS.  Rather than a gauntlet I think this was just the beginning of a series of annoyances as Draco buzzed around Harry, distracting him from the actual storyline.

> >>Alla:
> Heh, just as I could never understand where this argument of Draco not really being loved by his parents comes from.
> <snip>
> Brooms for whole team? Here you go Draco, have them.
> <snip>
> Narcissa would not let her baby to go far away from her, won't she? I thought it is totally a sign of spoiled mama boy that she won't let him go to Durmstrang.
> <snip>

Betsy Hp:
Oh, I'm talking about the very first book, before we ever meet Lucius and Narcissa.  It wasn't that I was thinking Draco was an abused little woobie, I just saw that what he was saying wasn't matching his circumstances.  His doting parents weren't there doting on him (and frankly, Narcissa should have been; her baby going away for the first time? she should have stuck to him like glue).  His very-important-father couldn't bend the rules and get in a broom for Draco in his first year.  What Draco was bragging about wasn't born out by the text and I thought that meant something.  (I was totally, totally wrong, of course.  But that was my theory. *g*)

> >>Alla:
> Oh and yes, I agree that Draco wanted to be friends with Harry, I just never thought that it was for any other reason than to make Lucius' even more proud of Draco.

Betsy Hp:
Draco is the only character who ever wanted to be friends with a knobby-kneed boy with glasses.  Everyone else was thrilled to be meeting "The Boy Who Lived!".  Draco wanted to make friends because he wanted to make friends.  It never meant anything in the end, but I thought that it would. *is sad*

Interestingly, when his father flat out tells him to suck up to Harry, Draco does the opposite. (One more reason I *still* find Draco adorable.  *squishes him*)

Montavilla47:
> <snip>
>So, yes, I was one of those who thought there was going to
be more to Draco than just an unpleasant bully. I was wrong,
but at least I was in good company.

Betsy Hp:
I love the fact that Draco was such a big hit to such a solid segment of readers. :) Draco and Snape have lead to some great connections.

Betsy Hp