Top of Class (James, Sirius and Lupin), polotics

[Simon J. Branford]

No: HPFGUIDX 5385

Sam wrote: "In a recent discussion it was said that Lupin and Hermione
aren't 'true' parallels because Hermione is top of all of her classes,
whilst Lupin wasn't because James and Sirius, on the evidence of McGonagall
(I think?)."

McGonagall said (PoA Ch 10): "Black and Potter. Ringleaders of their little
gang. Both very bright, of course - exceptionally bright, in fact - but I
don't think we've ever had such a pair of troublemakers -"

Lupin say (PoA Ch 18): "Your father and Sirius here were the cleverest
students in the school"

McGonagall does not say, based on the above quote (if anyone can find other
evidence then let us know), that Sirius and James were top of the year. Only
that they were exceptionally bright. This leaves space for at least one
person to be above them. Lupin is too modest to include himself in the line
about Sirius and James being the cleverest at the school. So it is not
exactly clear where he fits into this cleverness league.


Neil wrote: "I'm crap at timelines, but I think I'm right in saying that
Muggle Britain would have been under Conservative rule for most Harry's time
at Hogwarts and that PS began in the early part of Thatcher's reign."

Thatcher came to power in 1979 (4th May 1979 - which is quite close to my
date of birth).
Major replaced Thatcher in 1990 (28th November)
Blair became PM on 2nd May 1997

Harry Born 1980
PS is supposedly set in 1990/1.
Book 7 is then set in 1997/8.

So he would have grown up under MT. Started school under MT but quickly
replaced by JM. TB would then have been in power for the end of his sixth
year and his seventh year.


Sheryll wrote: "Not a good thing, where's this RON vote when you need it
(thanks to our UK members for the idea - wonder if it will help to call
Elections Canada and make the suggestion)."

It is not as good as it may at first sound. If RON wins then you have to go
through the entire election process again!

Simon