Harry and Advanced Potions

[lupinlore]

No: HPFGUIDX 131003

Well, this one is definitely one of the most interesting and talked
about subjects with relation to HBP.  Will Harry be in Advanced
Potions?  If so, how does he get there?

There are quite a few issues involved here.  First, will Harry make an
"O" on his potions OWL?  Many people, including me, think that would
amount to rank cheating on JKR's part.  People just don't come up with
superior test grades in classes they despise and in which they do not
perform well, even IF the teacher isn't hovering over their shoulder
and even IF they get a lucky break on the essay question.

Secondly, will Snape be teaching potions?  The only other place he's
likely to go, assuming he's at Hogwarts at all, is DADA.  If
Dumbledore was worried about him in that position for so long, why
would he give it to him now?  The midst of a war is absolutely the
worst time to have someone in such a key position you don't have
absolute confidence in.

If Harry doesn't make an "O" (an "E" I could believe, but not an "O")
how will he get into the class?  Will Dumbledore/McGonagall force
Snape's hand, perhaps as retribution for the mess he made of
Occlumency, or with the excuse that war requires special measures?
Will Draco or another Slytherin need an exception forcing Snape to
generally lower the bar?  I think that last one is a real possibility.
 I would find it somewhat contrived, but not nearly so much as giving
Harry on "O" on his potions OWL.

How do we know that Harry still wants to take Advanced Potions?  He's
learned a lot since "Career Advice."  Maybe being an auror isn't
nearly so appealing anymore.  And let's not forget the "I'll never
forgive him" moment.  I, for one, would find it completely
unbelievable for Harry to get over that in the course of a summer. 
Why on earth would he want to be in Snape's presence?

Could it be that Dumbledore insists Harry take potions?  What would he
do if Harry simply refused?  DD's leverage ain't exactly what it used
to be.

Could it be that Harry refuses to take potions (or Snape refuses to
let him in) but instead gets private tutoring?  That would make a kind
of sense, as it would be a way for Dumbledore to minimize friction by
keeping Snape and Harry apart as much as possible.  Who would do the
tutoring?  McGonagall?  That would fit with the "if I have to coach
you nightly" remark.  Dumbledore himself?

And there is the question of the Potions book on the UK adult cover. 
It would seem to indicate that advanced potions will be a part of the
plot.  But the potions book is ragged and coming to pieces.  As many
have remarked, Harry does not buy used books.  Whose book is it, then?
 Snape's?  Dumbledore's?  Ron's?  McGonagall's?  Whose?

I think that covers all the issues at present.  Anything else I've
forgotten?


Lupinlore