[HPforGrownups] (unknown)

[Meg Demeranville]

No: HPFGUIDX 36986

<snip>
Zoe Hooch said:Perhaps it came from the Gryffindor petty cash fund?

Melanie replied: I personally think that is a very good explanation for 
where the money may have came from.  I mean I am sure Hogwarts has some 
extra money stashed a way for "important" things.  Thus, they most likely 
took it our of the stash to give to harry because he showed great potential 
as a seeker. <snip>

I can't buy this theory on several grounds. First, everyone seems in awe of 
Harry's broom. To me, this implies that it must be a rarity to have such a 
nice broom. Second, the note attached says that it is his broom, not the 
school's, as it would be if it was paid for by the school. Third, the school 
brooms are noted as being older models, Cleansweeps and the like, which is 
brought up in PoA when Harry has to use the school brooms while his new 
Firebolt is being tested for hexes.(forgive me for not being able to give a 
specific citation, I am at work) Fourth, the other members of the team seem 
to use their own brooms. The twins use Cleansweeps. That is an awful lot of 
favoritism for the newest kid on the team to get the best and newest broom 
when the whole team could benefit by getting some good brooms for everyone. 
Lastly, when Malfoy buys his way onto the team, his father replaces all of 
the brooms for the team. This implies that the teams do not get new 
equipment unless someone pays for it.

Sorry to poke holes in your theory. Feel free to refute me, but I think 
McGonagall purchased it (if only to make sure Gryffindor finally won the 
Quidditch cup over Slytherin) with her own money and is just not saying 
anything about it.

Meg

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