Harry did argue about the detention with McGonagall, however, and McGonagall (three cheers for her!) makes it extremely clear that he's damn lucky all he's getting is detention. Harry doesn't even consider McGonagall's reasonable statement that he's done something meriting punishment, but he could hardly go onto the Quidditch field with his Head of House having said very firmly that he deserves detention and then some. I don't see that as accepting responsibility of any sort at all - in fact, I think it's pretty appalling that he complained about it.
Also, the others in the conversation with Harry had not seen Malfoy either crying or bleeding out at their feet (and don't know about the crying. I am glad Harry didn't tell them, but it does mean there's no reason for the others to have any compassion - as far as they're concerned Draco started a fight for no reason). I really do feel there should have been some feeling on Harry's part that made missing a Quidditch match less important to him. I take your point that the wizarding world is violent and the school has been escalating out of hand to a degree where it is confusing to know where to draw the line, but the line between someone's life and a Quidditch match should damn well be clearer for our hero.
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Date: 2006-11-17 01:32 pm (UTC)Also, the others in the conversation with Harry had not seen Malfoy either crying or bleeding out at their feet (and don't know about the crying. I am glad Harry didn't tell them, but it does mean there's no reason for the others to have any compassion - as far as they're concerned Draco started a fight for no reason). I really do feel there should have been some feeling on Harry's part that made missing a Quidditch match less important to him. I take your point that the wizarding world is violent and the school has been escalating out of hand to a degree where it is confusing to know where to draw the line, but the line between someone's life and a Quidditch match should damn well be clearer for our hero.