McGonagall ashamed or fibbing?

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 113313

Siriusly Snapey Susan:
<SNIP>  
> > She uses similar "never" lines several times in the books.  All 
> > I can figure is that each instance is worse than the one before, 
> > so she's just "raising the bar" for being ashamed with each new 
> > case! 

A. Goldfeesh here:  
> Or, perhaps simply, she found it'd be less effective to say: "I've 
> never been more ashamed! Well, except that time Fred and George 
> <insert crime>, and that time James and Sirius did <whatever 
> heinous thing> and, I can't believe I forgot about that time in my 
> first year as Head of Gryffindor House, when Marsha Jennings <did 
> another horrible mortifying thing>!"
> 
> The guilting just doens't have quite the same ring, ya know?
> 
> A Goldfeesh
> (who thinks that people should just take a step back every once in 
> a while)


SSSusan:
You *do* know my statement above was tongue in cheek, right? :-)
I don't REALLY believe Harry's behavior was worse than what came 
before.  In fact, I think you're right on target--McGonagall simply 
engages in hyperbole to make a point.

Siriusly Snapey Susan