James, a paragon of virtue? Was: Why Do You Like Sirius?

[phoenixgod2000]

No: HPFGUIDX 123622


> Carol responds:

He's not trying to get a high mark for its own
> sake or to "get by" like rich boys Sirius and James, who won't 
need to
> earn a living when they finish school. 

Phoenixgod2000:

I think your letting your biases show. There is no evidence that 
James is actually rich. Harry might just happen to have a lot of 
money because he had access to accounts which haven't done anything 
except acrue interest. Of course for a child who grew up with 
nothing and his only other vault example being that of a poor 
family, Harry might have false impression of exactly how much money 
he actually has. And who knows how rich Sirius actually was since he 
was stricken from the family tree.
 

Carol: 
> So, no. I don't for a moment buy your argument that they were "much
> brighter" than Severus (or the equally studious Remus, who hasn't
> mastered Transfiguration because he didn't have to learn it to
> transform into a werewolf). And their behavior doesn't indicate
> intelligence, either. I see no indication of brilliance in the MWPP
> conversation in the Pensieve scene, do you? All we have is the fact
> that James became Head Boy and the testimony of the less than
> objective Minerva McGonagall, who never saw those boys in Potions 
or
> DADA or or Charms or any subject except Transfiguration.


Actually I would assume the head of house knows quite a bit about 
how her students are doing in all of their classes since its her job 
to give them career advice. McG certainly seemed to know how Harry 
was doing in all of his classes.  Doesn't seem to be the type to 
exaggerate that sort of thing in conversation so if she says they 
had real talent then I am going to listen.

I actually agree with you that there is no evidence that Snape is 
less intelligent than the MWPP. I hate Snape with the fire of a 
thousand suns but he is both brave to be a spy and good at what he 
does. I just disagree with your explanation why.

phoenixgod2000