OOP: The Fifth NEWT (Spoilers)

[bluesqueak]

No: HPFGUIDX 67082

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Phyllis"  wrote:
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> McGonagall tells Harry that a minimum of five NEWTs are required 
> to become an Auror, but then she only tells him about four:  
> Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms, Potions and 
> Transfiguration.  Any idea what the fifth one is?  Presumably it's 
> a subject Harry's currently taking, or else McGonagall would have 
> told him he's out of the running, so presumably this rules out 
> subjects like Ancient Runes and Arithmancy.  Which leaves History  
> of Magic, Herbology, Divination or Astronomy as potential 
> candidates (any I forgot?).

Care of Magical Creatures?

The fifth NEWT is probably an optional subject, which is quite 
common. I remember that to apply for a Biology Degree you had to 
take three A levels. A level Chemistry and A level Biology were 
compulsory. The third A level could be any subject - science was 
usual, but you could get away with an Arts subject if you really 
wanted.

Possibly the knowledge of the Prophecy may lead Harry to decide to 
study with Firenze? There must be some reason to re-introduce him, 
and emphasise that he can't return to the Forest, and must stay in 
Hogwarts.

Firenze as the NEWTS Divination teacher would be a face saving 
exercise for Trelawney, who could announce that she cannot deny her 
Advanced students the rare opportunity to study Divination with a 
centaur. Meanwhile, she could continue taking students through the 
OWL syllabus.

I dread that Harry's loyalty to Hagrid might lead him to take Care 
of Magical Creatures. Hagrid's a nice guy, and knows his stuff, but 
he truly isn't very good at teaching it. I suspect his position owes 
more to Dumbledore's need to have teachers that he trusts absolutely 
than to his ability. One deadly DADA teacher is probably all the 
school can cope with. ;-)

Pip!Squeak