Defending Draco was Re: CHAPTER DISCUSSION: COS 14, Cornelius Fudge

[pippin_999]

No: HPFGUIDX 189206

 
> Alla:
 Who will save other students FROM Draco, Pippin?

Pippin:

Well, let's see.

Katy was saved by Madame Pomfrey, Snape and the staff of St. Mungo's. Her friend Leanne tried to save her by taking the package away, but unfortunately that backfired and caused the injury in the first place. 

Ron was saved by Harry and Slughorn's potions kit. It's noteworthy that this was the second time that day that Ron had been poisoned. The first time was Romilda Vane's spiked candy. Who knows what Ron might have done to himself if Harry hadn't followed instructions for once and taken the situation to a teacher?

Alla:
Dumbledore did not give them the courtesy of warning that such danger lurks in Hogwarts, right?

Pippin:
Wrong. 

"I cannot emphasize strongly enough how dangerous the present situation is, and how much care each of us at Hogwarts must take to ensure that we remain safe. The castle's magical fortifications have been strengthened over the summer, we are protected in new and more powerful ways, but we must still guard scrupulously against carelessness on the part of any student or member of staff. I urge you, therefore, to abide by any security restrictions that your teachers might impose upon you, however irksome you might find them -- in particular, the rule that you are not to be out of bed after hours. I implore you, should you notice anything strange of suspicious *within or outside the castle* (emphasis mine), to report it to a member of staff immediately. I trust you to conduct yourselves, always, with the utmost regard for you own and others' safety." -HBP ch 8


Everyone was told  that there was danger inside the castle and that staff or fellow students might, through carelessness, be the source of it. And they were also told that Dumbledore was *trusting* everyone  to conduct themselves with regard to the safety of others -- meaning there was, as usual,  no guarantee that they would.

As for Draco not being entitled to Dumbledore's protection, he hasn't got to ask for it or think that he needs it.  He has paid for it, same as the rest. 

Pippin