Regulus Black and "Slytherin" traits (WAS: Re: CHAPTER DISCUSSION PS/SS 10...)

[ZaraG]

No: HPFGUIDX 188416

> Potioncat:
> Let's look at some Slytherins in challenging situations.
> 
> Regulus didn't secure his safety; he secured Kreacher's. I just wish he had been clever enough to say to Kreacher, "Get *us* out of here." 

Zara:
Oh, I read this rather differently. I don't think it was a failure of cleverness on Regulus's part that he did not have Kreacher rescue him. I think it was a deliberate choice to die.

I agree with Hermione's reasoning in "Kreacher's Tale". Regulus understood that the knowledge of Voldemort's Horcrux which he had obtained, and his loss of faith in the pureblood cause, posed a threat not only to himself, but to his family and friends. His death put the discovery of these factors out of Voldemort's reach for decades. 

I would add Draco's courage in the Room of Requirement to your list of Slytherins failing to secure their own safety before acting bravely. Securing his own safety in that situation would have required running as fast as possible for an exit. Instead, he slowed himself down considerably to drag Goyle along with him to safety. He persisted in this failure to place his own safety first when he refused to let go of Goyle when Harry came to his rescue. He made sure Goyle was also going to be rescued before accepting help.

Even Bella, IMO, can serve as an illustration. Did she not risk a life sentence in Azkaban, and her life, in support of her Dark Lord?

> He may be exceptional, but not an exception.

Zara:
Exceptional, indeed. <g>