Cheating in GoF + Slytherins + Crouch Sr. + Filch doing Magic + Snape's Task

[Megan]

No: HPFGUIDX 27606

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., Kelly Hurt <klhurt at y...> wrote:
> --- Lexicon Steve wrote:
> 
> >Not only that, think about the
> >Triwizard Tournament. [snip] but one
> >particularly galling problem is that
> >not one of the champions competes
> >fairly.  They all cheat and get
> >outside help and advance knowledge and
> >this is expected!
> 
> Harry didn't cheat!  Outside help was not prohibited, only asking
> *teachers* for help.  The advanced knowledge of the dragons was thrust
> upon him.  

Something that's bothered me ever since I read GOF--wanting others'
opinions on this.  In the rules, Dumbledore clearly states that the
champions cannot ask for help from their teachers.  Yet later Hermione
shushes Harry (or something similar, don't have the book in front of
me) so as not to reveal how SHE helped him on the first task.  Is this
an error/inconsistency because Hermione is ALLOWED to help him, yet
the book later changes to the perspective of NO ONE is allowed to help
Harry on the tasks??

-Megan