CHAPTER DISCUSSION: Chapter 15 (The Hogwarts High Inquisitor)

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 94366

 
> 2. The Daily Prophet quotes Percy Wesley extensively.  How 
> enthusiastic do you think his support really is?  Does he honestly 
> believe what he says, is he doing it to get ahead of the Ministry, 
> or does he really think he owes unquestioning obedience to his 
> superiors?  How does the Percy we see here square with the Percy 
we 
> saw in PS/SS who admired Dumbledore's brilliance?

Potioncat:  IMHO it is an act.  We know DD wanted spies in the 
ministry and we know Fudge did not trust Arthur.  So Percy, who is 
known for desiring power and authority, and being rule oriented, is 
playing a prat (I did mean to type "part", but that's too funny to 
cut.)
> 
> 3. What, if anything, do the respective grades that Snape awarded 
to 
> the Trio and to Draco (whose behavior seems to imply a passing 
> grade) tell us about Snape's teaching methods?  His motivational 
> skills?   Does he have a hidden motive?  If so, what?

Potioncat:  He wouldn't be the first teacher to grade down as a way 
of motivating(?) scaring(?) students into studying.  If what he 
tells us is correct, his students do well on the OWLS.  I believe he 
takes pride in the "high pass rate" of his students because that 
reflects well on him.  Afterall, he is a Slytherin. 

I think Malfoy does well in his classes and probably was given a 
mark within the same perameters Snape used for the others.
>   
> 4. Does it seem out of character for the grade-obsessed Hermione 
to 
> be quizzing Fred and George (of all people) about OWL grades?  Why 
> didn't she research this like she researches everything else?  Do 
> you think JKR did this purposefully?  If so, why?

Potioncat:  It could also be that the grading is different than both 
Hogwarts method and from the method at her Muggle school.  And I 
doubt books would reflect a student's point of view about the 
grades, which is what she is looking for.
> 
>x> 8. What, if anything, does the revelation of McGonagall's 
December 
> starting date at Hogwarts signify?  Is this a clue to a 
significant 
> backstory, or a red herring?

Potioncat:
No, I do not think it is a red herring.  It was too small to be a 
red herring.  Here are two backstories that come to mind
1.  She replaced Dumbledore who left to fight Grindlewald (please 
excuse spelling, I don't have a book with me.) DD might not have 
returned until he became Headmaster or possibly, he returned sooner.
2. She replaced Prof. R.J. Lupin.  Although I don't know why R.J. 
left or what he/she was teaching.

Potioncat

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