The alternative way to the potions NEWT

[hannahwonder at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 87725

Neri wrote: 

>OotP (US), p. 665:

"Professor McGonagall got to her feet, too, and in her case this was 

a much more impressive move: she towered over Professor Umbridge.

    'Potter,' she said in ringing tones, 'I will assist you to become 

an Auror if it is the last thing I do! If I have to coach you 

nightly, I will make sure you achieve the required results!" 


Now this was pretty resolute, wouldn't you say? True, McGonagall is 

the transfiguration teacher, but I dare say she is up to NEWT level 

in potions too, and (no offense Snape fans) is also better with 

teaching. And between McGonagall and Hermione coaching him, Harry's 

problem is not how to get an E in the NEWT, but how to get an evening 

off from privet potions lessons.


In OotP it was made clear that OWLs and NEWTs are conducted by the 

MoM, not by the Hogwarts teachers. Do you have to be in the official 

NEWT class in order to take the NEWT? Perhaps not, especially if the 

headmaster and deputy are both on your side.<

Hannah (me):

I thought this was mostly a reasonable suggestion, except for one thing. I 
would imagine the average student would have to still get the required score on 
the OWL to take a NEWT class, regardless of whether he or she took it from 
Snape or privately, to be sure the student had the proper knowledge to take it 
on. Harry, as per usual, is a little different from the average student and 
McGonagall's declaration makes him perhaps an exception to this.

So, I was all set to agree with you when I read the last sentence: "… the 
headmaster and deputy are both on your side." I realise there is a wide variety 
of opinions as to Dumbledore's true feelings and motivations, but I can't see 
him supporting Harry's private lessons in a subject that is already taught in a 
regular class. He hasn't given Harry many special privileges beyond those of 
any other Hogwarts student (besides, of course, the Nimbus 2001 in first year) 
and in my opinion - well - I can't see him allowing Harry to take a special 
course because he didn't meet qualifications that every other student must 
abide by. 

But on the hand, if Dumbledore learned of McGongall's promise, he might have 
no choice but to allow it. So, would he or wouldn't he? I suppose I can't 
decide, but it was just a thought that came to mind.

Hannah