Yeah, I also realise that I have an emotional reaction to every one of these, but then I generally am on the side of the one who is the most victimised in my eyes, and so perhaps my intellectual decision would be the same.
Arthur vs. Percy: I was absolutely on Percy's side. Someone else in the replies compared working for the Ministry to working for Bush - I don't agree. Arthur works for the Ministry (i.e. Bush) as well. It's just that the Ministry to which Percy is so obviously loyal has gone one way, and Percy has gone with them as opposed to going with the dangerous crank with his personally loyal army. (Perfectly reasonable outside view, I think.)
Percy's young, ambitious and constantly belittled at home, plus he (and Ron!) have enormous issues about their poverty. (And yeah, if a man has a limited income and access to birth control, I think he should be more responsible than to have seven children, so this places me on Percy's side sort of pre-emptively.) Arthur doesn't seem to care about his child's emotional problems. Just don't rock the boat, Percy! (And never say that the boat is shabby or daddy is a bad captain, or you'll be thrown off the side.)
Moreover, it seems Arthur threw the first stone. Percy came home going 'yay promotion!' and Arthur said 'not on your own merits, my boy!' I think it's perfectly reasonable that Percy exploded, and then his family closed ranks on him. Now, Percy is painted as pompous and irritable and so on, and may be hell to get on with, but he's their family and I think they should try a little harder than this. Percy didn't sign on with the DE, he signed on with the Ministry. Ron once said he thought Percy would sacrifice his family, but it looks like they're sacrificing him. Also, I find it somewhat endearing that he tried to reach out to Ron (the other resentful brother!) with his letter, even though the letter condemned Harry and thus Ron was being loyal ignoring it. I also found it endearing that Percy tried to guard Ginny from the twins in CoS (having obviously borne a lot from them on his own account) and was appalled that Ginny became the third twin and threw potatoes at him.
While Percy may have been insufferable and stubborn, and should possibly apologise to his Mum (I'm not all that fond of Molly, but I genuinely feel for her in this situation, she is the only person who seems to remember she loves the others) for being stiff-necked, I think he deserves an apology from Arthur. (and Ginny and the twins, while we're at it.)
Snape vs Marauders in the Pensieve
James and Sirius are both gits in this situation, and should have been forced by some teachers to apologise to Snape. Of course, almost nobody is likable in this scene aside from Lily, whom I press to my bosom and defend against all charges of being like Ginny. (Whom one imagines holding onto James's arm adoringly and, once he had Snivellus' pants off, casting the Bat Bogey Hex on his private parts.)
Hermione vs Umbridge - the Centaurs
While it showed off Hermione's Cold Vengeful Disturbing Streak excellently (and I think this is an important and interesting facet to her character) in this case I blame Umbridge. She was going to Crucio Harry and she'd already set Dementors on Harry: she'd made herself a serious enough threat that attacking back in any way was justified. Sure, a nicer girl than Hermione might have done things differently (and I say this liking Hermione, and thinking she is a decent person) but, I blame Umbridge.
(If we discuss Hermione, blame and Marietta, however...)
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Too long!
Date: 2006-11-16 03:19 am (UTC)Arthur vs. Percy:
I was absolutely on Percy's side. Someone else in the replies compared working for the Ministry to working for Bush - I don't agree. Arthur works for the Ministry (i.e. Bush) as well. It's just that the Ministry to which Percy is so obviously loyal has gone one way, and Percy has gone with them as opposed to going with the dangerous crank with his personally loyal army. (Perfectly reasonable outside view, I think.)
Percy's young, ambitious and constantly belittled at home, plus he (and Ron!) have enormous issues about their poverty. (And yeah, if a man has a limited income and access to birth control, I think he should be more responsible than to have seven children, so this places me on Percy's side sort of pre-emptively.) Arthur doesn't seem to care about his child's emotional problems. Just don't rock the boat, Percy! (And never say that the boat is shabby or daddy is a bad captain, or you'll be thrown off the side.)
Moreover, it seems Arthur threw the first stone. Percy came home going 'yay promotion!' and Arthur said 'not on your own merits, my boy!' I think it's perfectly reasonable that Percy exploded, and then his family closed ranks on him. Now, Percy is painted as pompous and irritable and so on, and may be hell to get on with, but he's their family and I think they should try a little harder than this. Percy didn't sign on with the DE, he signed on with the Ministry. Ron once said he thought Percy would sacrifice his family, but it looks like they're sacrificing him. Also, I find it somewhat endearing that he tried to reach out to Ron (the other resentful brother!) with his letter, even though the letter condemned Harry and thus Ron was being loyal ignoring it. I also found it endearing that Percy tried to guard Ginny from the twins in CoS (having obviously borne a lot from them on his own account) and was appalled that Ginny became the third twin and threw potatoes at him.
While Percy may have been insufferable and stubborn, and should possibly apologise to his Mum (I'm not all that fond of Molly, but I genuinely feel for her in this situation, she is the only person who seems to remember she loves the others) for being stiff-necked, I think he deserves an apology from Arthur. (and Ginny and the twins, while we're at it.)
Snape vs Marauders in the Pensieve
James and Sirius are both gits in this situation, and should have been forced by some teachers to apologise to Snape. Of course, almost nobody is likable in this scene aside from Lily, whom I press to my bosom and defend against all charges of being like Ginny. (Whom one imagines holding onto James's arm adoringly and, once he had Snivellus' pants off, casting the Bat Bogey Hex on his private parts.)
Hermione vs Umbridge - the Centaurs
While it showed off Hermione's Cold Vengeful Disturbing Streak excellently (and I think this is an important and interesting facet to her character) in this case I blame Umbridge. She was going to Crucio Harry and she'd already set Dementors on Harry: she'd made herself a serious enough threat that attacking back in any way was justified. Sure, a nicer girl than Hermione might have done things differently (and I say this liking Hermione, and thinking she is a decent person) but, I blame Umbridge.
(If we discuss Hermione, blame and Marietta, however...)