The glint in Hermione's eye reminds me of something I meant to post a couple chapters ago. When Draco-as-heir is first suggested, Hermione's very skeptical and with good reason, since they have nothing even resembling evidence (probable cause, if you will) to suspect him. Once Hermione comes up with this plan, though, she pushes the boys constantly to go through with it. Part of that, as discussed, was that Hermione is especially at risk and thus quite understandably scared. I don't think that covers all of it, though, given the low likelihood of this plan to get results and her doubts about their suspect. Honestly, I think she sees it as a massive (intellectual) challenge. She's found a reason to do this extraordinarily complicated potion, and dang it, she's going to do this potion, even if it means stealing ingredients and knocking out classmates.
I do think Dumbledore's incredibly manipulative, but I tend to think of this scene more as really heavy-handed foreshadowing than anything deliberate of his part.
Nothing in the papers? That does sound like a cover-up.
Agreed. Who do you think's doing the covering? At this stage, I think Fudge is still getting along with Dumbledore, and I think he wouldn't want people to know. The average person probably thinks Hogwarts = establishment = Ministry. OTOH, I could see Dumbledore covering up with no one realizing he's doing so, or questioning it. OTOOH (I need more hands), at some point people apparently find out. Isn't that why Fudge carts Hagrid off to Azkaban? People are worried, so he needs to "be seen doing something"?
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Date: 2004-10-23 09:49 pm (UTC)I do think Dumbledore's incredibly manipulative, but I tend to think of this scene more as really heavy-handed foreshadowing than anything deliberate of his part.
Nothing in the papers? That does sound like a cover-up.
Agreed. Who do you think's doing the covering? At this stage, I think Fudge is still getting along with Dumbledore, and I think he wouldn't want people to know. The average person probably thinks Hogwarts = establishment = Ministry. OTOH, I could see Dumbledore covering up with no one realizing he's doing so, or questioning it. OTOOH (I need more hands), at some point people apparently find out. Isn't that why Fudge carts Hagrid off to Azkaban? People are worried, so he needs to "be seen doing something"?