Deathly Hallows, Chapter 35: King's Cross, Part 1 A

[oneandthetruth]

Or, My Skinned Baby/My Self

“My doctrine is this, that if we see cruelty or wrong that we have the power to stop, and do nothing, we make ourselves sharers in the guilt.”

Anna Sewell, Black Beauty

“Noncooperation with evil is as much a moral obligation as cooperation with good.”

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Harry wakes up dead and naked. It’s too bad this

Comments

[vermouth1991]

I think for all intents and purposes, Snape terminating Dumbledore back on the tower is also cold-blooded murder, at least to witnesses like Draco. So this'll be at least the second one he's witnessed. Although it may still be the first done by Voldemort.

[jana_ch]

It is annoying the way empathy and discomfort at others’ pain is presented a cowardice, and cowardice is presented as the worst of all failings. The only Gryff who understands moral courage is Neville, and he is shown as un-learning it in the last book so he can qualify as a True Gryff. It takes a lot more courage for Severus to sit silent while his colleague pleads for his help than it does for Neville to snark to Alecto Carrow that she might actually have dirty blood after all. Staying silent requires self-discipline in the pursuit of a larger goal, while mouthing off is just reckless, and benefits no one.

Draco

[terri_testing]

One small point--this occurs well before 7 Potters, so at latest mid July. Draco's only been home to witness the Dark Lord and Death Eaters in action since Dumbledore's death. This may well be the first mistreatment of prisoners he's seen/heard (Ollivander screams from the basement), and/or the first killing since Dumbledore's.

But yeah, once a victim has a face and is threatened or suffering in front of him, Draco can't help but feel compassion. No matter how dangerous it is to show it.

Very nice post--thanks for tables!