[HPforGrownups] Dumbledore's awarding of points PS/SS

[Heidi Tandy]

No: HPFGUIDX 56954

Megalynn wrote:
** If he had just given 
the points in private the impact would have been much less for not just the 
Slytherins, but the entire school.**

True, but if he had given the points at any time in the days prior, it would have been much less humiliating for the Slytherins, who were enough ahead that even if Harry, Hermione and Neville hadn't lost points the night of the dragon incident, Slytherin would've still been tops. 

We know from GoF, at least, that it is traditional and expected for the hall to be decorated before the students enter for the feast, so Slytherin was only doing what was traditional in having or enjoying the green bunting - why did those 250ish students - some of them only 11 - deserve to have this victory taken from them by Dumbledore's machinations?(I would call it a deus ex machina if I thought Dumbledore was godlike, but I don't)

It was a slap to the students in the house who'd worked for their points, and it taught them that people in power can play games with what they've led you to believe you've rightfully earned. 

Setting aside whether that's true, is it really a fair lesson?

Heidi Tandy
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