Musings and a question

[Richard]

No: HPFGUIDX 81386

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "dcyasser" <dcyasser at y...> 
wrote:
<snip>
> Does it ever strike you as funny that Hermione helps Harry 
> practice these and other charms in GoF but apparently, since 
> he is teaching them to her in OoP, doesn't learn them herself? 

Richard (that's me) replies:

First, as Hermione was in a group (the DA) that was learning spells 
together, even if she already knew these spells, she would still need 
to at least practice them with the rest of the DA.  Think "unit 
cohesion," and the need for expertise in a combat situation.

Second, knowing the spell is, from many points in canon, not the same 
as being able to use it -- effectively, reliably, or any number of 
other ways.  Think about the Patronus.  Harry knew the spell, 
including the verbal component, wand action and subject to be 
concentrated upon, well before he managed a good one, and even after 
that he was not totally reliable in creating one.  Hermione, while 
teaching Harry, would not necessarily have practiced what we may 
assume is a non-trivial spell enough to be any good at it.


Richard, who is neither surprised nor intrigued by this seeming 
inconsistency.