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

[Jason]

No: HPFGUIDX 103103

> > 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.
 snip


Jason now:
My thought is that if the trend of getting new characters as DADA 
teachers is over, we'll see first Snape in year 6 and then 
Dumbledore in year 7.


> > 
> > 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



Jason:
Perhaps that smile was because she planned to doctor the grades and 
have Harry look stupid again BUT, given the events following the 
exams and Umbridges mental injuries? and removal from Hogwarts, the 
vindication of Dumbledore and Harry, she never had a chance to 
meddle with his grades and now it's too late.

Jason