Teacher vs. student help on tasks (WAS Re: Cheating in GoF...)

[Megan]

No: HPFGUIDX 27637

Megan posted: 
> > BUT then why does Hermione later say (when Lee Jordan is examining 
> the egg) "'He's supposed to work out the clue on his own,' Hermione
said swiftly. 'It's in the tournament rules...'
> > 'I was supposed to work out how to get past the dragon on my own 
too,'
> > Harry muttered, so only Hermione could hear him, and she grinned
> > rather guiltily." (POA 365)
> > 
> > There ARE NO rules against getting help from classmates, and Harry
> > KNOWS it--so why do he and Hermione act like it is illegal?  Isn't
 it also inconsistant later on for the second and third task that he
OPENLY seeks help from Ron & Hermione, even asking Madam Pomfrey in
> >the library for magical devices of breathing underwater, and having
> > Professor McGonagall allow them to use her room to practice hexes 
> and spells?

Cindy posted:
> > 
> I think it is because, deep down, Hermione doesn't wish to share the 
> spotlight with Lee (not that she's a bossy braggart or anything 
> <VBG>).  At this point, she has been Harry's most important friend 
> and tutor, and she takes pleasure in helping him perform.  Perhaps 
> Hermione doesn't want Lee to get any credit for contributing and horn 
> in on the spotlight.  

--Then why did she grin guiltily?  To me, guilty implies she think
they did something slightly against the rules.

Cindy posted:
> We know it can't be against the rules for Harry to get help from 
> students to solve the egg's clue because, following Hermione's 
> admonition, Harry opens the egg anyway and listens to the opinions 
> of his classmates.  Harry probably wouldn't cheat in front of a room 
> full of people, even his classmates.  Hermione tends to interpret 
> rules rather stringently, so I think she interpreted the "cheating" 
> rule that way because that is how she normally tends to view things.  

--I just thought that it looked rather dodgy that Hermione was trying
to conceal the fact that she helped Harry with the first task. 
Personally I didn't really interpret her actions for stopping Harry
from getting help with the Egg as some kind of /personal/
agenda--rather as a misinterpretation of the rules.  Well, I already
said my opinion above, so you guys know what I think.  After all, all
of this is IMO only--my take on the scene.

-Megan (who is thinking about retiring from debating because it never
seems to work very well)