[HPforGrownups] Re: Draco as Student

[Penny & Bryce Linsenmayer]

No: HPFGUIDX 17330

Hi --

I was going to say that I would probably just mess this all up and that
it should wait until Heidi is back.  But, I see that Rhysenn & Catlady
have chimed in with great points & I feel I can add a bit to what they
already said.

Rhysenn wrote:

> 1) Lucius' preoccupation with Draco's grades - saying that he was
> appalled that Hermione had beaten Draco in every paper (paraphrased,
> don't have my copy of CoS with me). It's the classic sort of parental
> yardstick, where the subject of school grades keep being rehashed as a
> measure of a child's success. And note that he *only* mentions
> Hermione (who topped the level) - not Harry or Ron or anyone else -
> which may mean that Herm must be one of the very few people ranking
> above Draco in grades.

That's what I would presume too.  She is not by any means the only
muggle-born student, so it can't just be that Lucius is upset because
"the" muggle-born bested his son.  Since she is the only one mentioned
as beating Draco out in final exam grades, then it's a reasonable
presumption that Draco must be in competition with her for that high
honor.  Otherwise, Lucius would have made a more general snide reference
to his son's marks not being what they ought to be (in which case, the
assumption that he is a mediocre student would have more merit).  By
comparing Draco to Hermione though, it puts Draco more in that top
league of students.  I mean if, for the sake of argument, he was at the
mid-point academically, why in the world would Lucius be comparing him
to the #1 student in the class?  That makes no sense to me.  The
comparison only makes sense if you assume he has a reasonable shot at
besting her but failed to do so.

And, this may indeed be JKR highlighting Draco's general standing
academics-wise.  A comment was made yesterday or day before that if JKR
wanted to paint him as a bright student, she would show him lugging
around books or in the library studying.  I still disagree with this.
Lots of very bright kids get outstanding marks without ever cracking a
book.  I think this conversation exchange between Lucius & the
shopkeeper is, at a minimum, just as revealing as showing Draco in the
library.

> 2) His general witty sarcasm belies an intelligent, quick-thinking
> mind. <snip>

Yep.  I disagree that he's not witty.  Then again, I am influenced by
several factors: (a) *hearing* the books read by Jim Dale over & over --
he really has Draco's drawl down pat, and the wit comes through a bit
more in his rendition (IMO); (b) my husband strongly identifies with
Draco's wit -- has the same tendencies toward sarcasm himself (though
certainly no evil tendencies!!) -- he always wants to read the Draco
parts when we're reading the books out loud to the baby; and (c) fanfic
of course (Heidi, Cassie, etc.).  He's snide, but he's clearly a quick
thinker.

I also liked Catlady's example about Draco & Potions.  I agree that
Snape is unlikely to hold up Draco as a good example, if he's really
only an average or mediocre example.  Snape  may like to use Draco to
get at Harry (and to curry favor with Lucius perhaps), but he does have
a keen appreciation for his subject from all appearances.

I'm convinced Draco is above-average at least, and I can buy the notion
that he's Top Ten material.  There's enough evidence of that for me to
believe it could be true.  I don't see much counter evidence that
strongly enough suggests the opposite.

Penny


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