Draco as Student

[Simon]

No: HPFGUIDX 17387

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.


I got the impression that Lucius was comparing Draco to Hermione not
because she was the only muggle born who did better than him but rather
that he knew that mentioning her would have the biggest effect on Draco. I
would guess at some stage Draco has mentioned Hermione to his father, in a
similar vain to the comment he makes in the dark arts shop ('all the
teachers favour her' or words to that effect). I would guess that Draco has
little to do with the other muggle born students. They share many lessons
with the Gryffindors' and so it is likely that of all the muggle born in
his year he spends most time with Hermione.

In the passage in question, CoS chapter 4, it is Draco that mentions
Hermione first. He brings Hermione's name into the conversation and Lucius
then hits back about her muggle born status and how Draco should be ashamed
at being beaten by her.

Also to be considered is that she hanged around with Potty. She is there at
almost all of the confrontations that the Draco and Harry have.


 Penny: <<<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.>>>

Well of course this is affected by year size. I still remain convinced of a
small year size, probably of around 50 people. If so then I am certain he
is top ten, but I would also think that Potty and the Weasel are there, or
there abouts, as well. If we go with the 150 years size (corresponding to
roughly 1000 school size) then things are less clear. He is definitely
fairly able, but I see no evidence to place him any higher than Harry and
Ron. In fact I would go as far as to say that all three are similarly
academically gifted.



Simon
--
"I was expecting Armageddon and felt cheated and disappointed when I didn't
get it" - Simon Branford, in a post to HPforGU-OTChatter
(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPFGU-OTChatter), concerning Philip
Pullman's The Amber Spyglass
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