The House System was Re: Chapter Discussion: Goblet of Fire Ch. 4: Back

[Geoff]

No: HPFGUIDX 191492

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, sigurd at ... wrote:

Pippin:
> "And it does rise, enough that nineteen years later young James knows he will get in trouble if he uses "Slytherin" as a slur, and Harry is able to say that if Al becomes a Slytherin it will make no difference to the family. But Harry also tells Albus that the hat takes a persons choice into account and assures him he will not be a Slytherin. Harry and Draco aren't friends, but  apparently they've realized they're better off not being enemies."

Otto:
> Really! I think they're still bitter enemies and if Harry doesn't think that the nod is anything but false bon-homme then Harry's a fool. Draco and Pansy will never forget the humiliation their families suffered, and they'd have his chitlins on a platter if they could. From EVERYTHING Rowling has said none of the Malfroy's knows anything about contrition or forgiveness. I doubt they can even spell it.
> 
> Besides, there is one thing we do not know. We do not know what changes and how the houses were constituted nineteen years down the line. It is perhaps possible that Slytherin was entirely reformed after the debacle.

Geoff:
The fact that we know nothing - or very little - about changes by the time of 
the Epilogue means that sweeping statements about the Malfoys or anyone 
else cannot be justified.

Why should the slight acknowledgement between Harry and Draco be a false 
bonhomie? They were enemies but along the way, inter alia, Draco saved 
Harry at the Manor and Harry saved Draco from the Fiendfyre. Dragging your 
long-term opponent from a fiery death on a whim could constitute grounds 
for a shift of attitude on both sides.

I was one of those who, when Book 7 appeared, expressed a dislike of the 
Epilogue. It merely underlined a few events but left a lot of unresolved questions, 
including the glance between the two men. Why include it? How do we square the 
disillusioned and frightened Draco of the final battle with the apparently 
reinstated guy out in public with his family and able to acknowledge Harry. Why 
are the two not just ignoring one another? Fanfic has offered a number of 
suggestions over the years since the book appeared, often including action by 
Harry to rehabilitate his erstwhile rival. A few hints from the author might not go unwelcomed.