Slytherin and Polyjuice

[sistermagpie]

I have very little interest in any of the HBP Polyjuice theories--Draco as Tonks, Narcissa as Tonks, Narcissa as Draco, Tonks as Narcissa. There is only one place in canon where I would be willing to consider it, and that's in the library when the hear someone nearby who's presumably Draco, but then Pince appears around the corner.

Comments

Slytherin House Roles- Part III

[seaislewitch]

If Draco Polyjuiced himself into a witch, Tonks for instance, it's because he was absolutely desperate, and not because he wanted to experiment with gender bending! Not only did he have Voldemort's impossible mission and threat on his shoulders, he also had to worry about Dumbledore, roving Aurors, a fiercely protective mother, a professor under an Unbreakable Bond, snooping classmates and most likely, a curious and hurt girlfriend, who he probably no longer has a future with. That's enough to put anyone in a deep depression! Why else would he end up in the bathroom crying in front of Moaning Myrtle? He had to keep things to himself and everyone off his trail because his family was at stake, and he loves them. Plus he's not going to put his girlfriend in jeopardy by telling her anything. Tonks, who we've been told is broken up about Lupin, would be the easiest Auror for Draco to deceive. She's obviously weakened, and there is that family connection to consider. We don't know everything about this yet. He could have had her under the Imperious Curse.

I'm sure Gregory and Vincent didn't know exactly what Draco was up to. I do think it was an interesting choice to Polyjuice those two into younger Slytherin witches. I'm not sure why. Perhaps JKR did it for comic relief in such a darkly-themed book. Maybe the young witches were easy prey--even Crabbe and Goyle could get what they needed. Hell, maybe Crabbe and Goyle are their suitors! Draco may have chosen them on purpose, thinking it was clever--and it was. Harry wouldn't have figured it out if it weren't for the Marauders Map. Most likely, it was a combination of all three. Hey, maybe Crabbe and Goyle enjoyed getting to know the female body a bit better to help them out on their wedding nights. *laughs*

Make no mistake, Draco is masculine and Pansy is feminine. Slytherin House is a house of traditional role models.

I'm sorry to have posted such a long reply, but as you can tell I feel strongly about this, and I know I'm in fairly friendly territory.

Re: Slytherin House Roles- Part III

[sistermagpie]

Well, yes, of course! I didn't mean to imply that Draco was playing around gender-bending if he was Pince or with Crabbe and Goyle. I was talking about the author's gender-bending and why it seems to fit more in this book with Slytherin than it does in previous books with Gryffindors. As I said, I think the reason for it is primarily for humor--it's funny to think of Crabbe and Goyle as little girls. But that still leaves us within canon with the fact that Draco needing lookouts says hey, if you're girls you won't look like yourselves and Crabbe and Goyle saying okay.

Re: Slytherin House Roles- Part III

[seaislewitch]

No, I didn't think you implied Draco was playing around with gender-bending. Sorry it came off like that.

I do think Draco would have had a much needed laugh when he saw Crabbe and Goyle transform into little girls. Maybe that's why they kept up those disguises. :)

Re: Slytherin House Roles- Part III

[q_spade]

I'm not sure that sistermagpie's referencing Draco's personal sexuality in her above post, or any interpersonal relations between him & Pansy. My impression is that she's discussing symbolic aspects of Slytherin House, and that the members of that house, having an affinity for the qualities that house represents, are likely to be more open and comfortable with fluidity of gender roles for specific - and not necessarily sexual - purposes.

If we go with the hypothetical idea that Draco uses polyjuice to masquerade as Pince, obviously he's not doing so to get his rocks off! He does it because he feels it's the most efficient way to go about his business. Similarly, Crabbe & Goyle agree to use polyjuice and become temporarily female because they want to help Draco out; whether or not it's "effeminate" isn't much of an issue for them, and eroticism doesn't even come into play.

One could say they're comfortable enough in their "masculinity" to have a go at being girls without much fuss, whereas a couple of Gryffindor males might be too invested in outward gender associations, and therefore less likely to "pass" successfully as females.

sistermagpie's post isn't about whether or not Slytherins find fluidity of gender via polyjuice sexy per se; it's about whether or not they're better at it, or find it easier to do, than members of other Houses.

Re: Slytherin House Roles- Part III

[seaislewitch]

symbolic aspects of Slytherin House
I got it now. However, the Slytherin snake is something I would consider a phallic symbol.

he's not doing so to get his rocks off!
*laughs*

Yes, I imagine you're right about Crabbe and Goyle 'having a go' at being girls doesn't threaten their masculinity as much as others. *laughs again*