boggart-fighting (was: Hermione and Snape).

[a_svirn]

No: HPFGUIDX 128499

a_svirn:
Ooops sorry, I accidentally posted an empty letter. 


> Finwitch wrote:
> 
> Well, considering that Ron was nearly eaten by Aragog's 'children' 
> less than a year before the boggart, I wouldn't say his fear is 
all 
> that unreasonable... (it's the little harmless spiders in fake-
> Moody's class that show the extent of his arachnophobia). Never 
the 
> less, Ron *does* defeat his boggart, as does Harry. 
> 
> But Hermione-- I suppose her worst fear *was*, at least then, 
> failure. 

a_svirn:

Suppose you get the letter "Dear Finwitch, I regret to inform you 
that your application for [fill the blank] has been declined. The 
competition this year was especially high etc. etc. May I take this 
opportunity to wish you success in the future etc., etc
" What would 
be your reaction? Or even what would it have been at 13? You may 
have sulked, cried, or even fainted, but screamed? And 
Hermione "burst out again, screaming". Then she stuttered and 
gasped. I still maintain that such reaction is unlikely. 

Finwitch:

You know, if Lupin thought Hermione's fear was Basilisk -- 
> considering she nearly got killed by one in the previous year - I 
> certainly don't blame him for not letting Hermione face the 
boggart...
> 

a_svirn:

Yes, I think you are right, that might have been the reason.