I’m sure Harry wouldn’t want to extirpate the whole House, which includes Draco. Just killing Lord Malfoy (and any servants who happened to be near) is enough collateral damage that Harry wouldn’t seriously consider it if Hermione isn’t facing outright death herself.
Besides, I’m pretty sure there are other branches of the Malfoys that would inherit the title. Draco mentioned an uncle or some other relative not in the line of succession who used to visit him at least a few years ago.
Hermione is much more important, but HP would prefer a plan that did not inherently make Draco his enemy. I don’t think it is much of a stretch to think exposing Malfoy Manor to anti-matter would make Draco become an enemy.
Are we sure of that? The trial might vanish if the House of Malfoy is extirpated.
I’m sure Harry wouldn’t want to extirpate the whole House, which includes Draco. Just killing Lord Malfoy (and any servants who happened to be near) is enough collateral damage that Harry wouldn’t seriously consider it if Hermione isn’t facing outright death herself.
Besides, I’m pretty sure there are other branches of the Malfoys that would inherit the title. Draco mentioned an uncle or some other relative not in the line of succession who used to visit him at least a few years ago.
Even better- That uncle will likely want the title, so Harry just needs to bargain with him.
“If you get the title, you’ll drop all charges, right?”
Won’t save Slytherin, which is one of HP’s goals.
I’m guessing that currently Hermione factors about 50 times more in Harry’s utility function than the whole of Slytherin House put together.
Hermione is much more important, but HP would prefer a plan that did not inherently make Draco his enemy. I don’t think it is much of a stretch to think exposing Malfoy Manor to anti-matter would make Draco become an enemy.
Only because she’s in more and more immediate danger. It might be possible to build another plot to help Slytherin later, but Hermione needs help now.