Harry and Advanced Potions

[luna_loco]

No: HPFGUIDX 131024

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "lupinlore" <bob.oliver at c...>
wrote:
> 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.

Another possibility to consider is how many students are required for
the class to "make"?  While it is very likely that Hermione receives
an "O" in potions, there are no other Gryffindor or Slytherin students
that are sure "O" grades.  As we have no direct evidence as to how
well the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff students in Harry's year are doing
in potions, it is possible that they are not doing overly well as a
group either.

If you assume that five or more students are needed for the Advanced
Potions class to meet minimum headcount requirements, and that no more
than three students besides Hermione receive an "O" level on their
potions OWL, then a situation were allowing students with an "E" level
presents itself for the class to be held.  If such a situation were to
occur it would not be out of character for Dumbledore to encourage
Snape to allow "E" level students into the class.  Harry qualifing for
Advanced Potions in such a manor would also have plot usefulness as it
adds one more thing about Harry for Snape to hate.

Allen