Harry's potions O.W.L - Outstanding-NOT.

[rzl46]

No: HPFGUIDX 103096

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Ali" <Ali at z...> wrote:
> Steve wrote:
>  
> >>> I know I'm out numbered on this, but I just don't see how Harry 
> could possibly get an 'Outstanding' on his OWL. 
>  
> Certainly, we all /want/ Harry to get an 'Outstanding' but I think 
> it is just too great a leap for it to happen.>>
> 
> Ali:
> 
> Like Steve, I think it would probably be a stretch too far for 
Harry 
> to get an Outstanding in his Potions OWL. It is possible, and a 
> dramatic turnabout for Harry, but it isn't necessary simply to 
> continue with the Snape/Harry interaction.
> 
> There are other possibilities:
> 
> a) Harry doesn't get "Outstanding", but Dumbledore forces Snape to 
> take him anyway: I think that scenario is unlikely as showing too 
> much overt favouritism.
> 
> b) Snape is finally allowed to become the DADA teacher and a new 
> potions teacher allows Harry and similar "good" students who 
> achieve "exceeds expectations", to continue with Potions.
> 
> I believe that Snape *will* become the DADA teacher at some time 
> stage during Harry's time at Hogwarts. Dumbledore has always 
> resisted Snape's application on the grounds it will prove too 
> tempting for him, but this temptation will have to come at some 
> point, and will be the ideal way to let Harry continue with Potions.
> Perhaps Snape will then be tempted to the Dark Side once again (if 
> he has ever really left) and this will be the end of Dumbledore - 
> who knows?
> 
> On the subject of Defence Against the Dark Arts, I wonder if Harry 
> will be awarded the "Outstanding" grade he surely earned? It is no 
> coincidence that Umbridge had a "nasty smile playing around her 
> wide, slack mouth" (OoP. p 630 UK edition) immediately after 
Harry's 
> practical exam. Her smile cannot have meant good news for Harry, 
and 
> I know I'm not alone in wondering whether the Ministry's corruption 
> will allow them to downgrade Harry. Alternatively, of course, 
> Umbridge will merely take credit for Harry's good work.
> 
> Ali

I'm with you about wondering about Harry's DADA O.W.L.  I asked this 
question of the group about a year ago, and one person's response was 
that the smile could be attributed to Umbridge "knowing" that she was 
right about students being able to perform spells without ever 
practicing them.  The smile to Harry could be a "I told you so" sort 
of smile.  Personally, I don't believe so, but I thought I'd be fair 
to the others out there.

MaggieB