Hermione cheating over Trevor?

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 129562

>>Sherry:
<snip>
>In the Trevor potion incident, it has been said that Hermione was 
cheating by helping Neville.  But let's put ourselves in her place.
<snip>  
>So, here we are in class, and our classmate who is struggling in 
all his classes, but who has a particularly difficult time with 
Snape has just had Snape threaten to poison his pet.  His PET!<
<snip>
>I don't see it as a matter of cheating; I see it as an example of 
Hermione's compassion.  Maybe, it wasn't the right way, but it was 
her heart that was engaged.  She had no way of knowing if Snape 
would or would not have followed through on his threat.  In fact, 
we, the readers, have no way of knowing.<
<snip>

Betsy:
Oh yes, Hermione *was* acting out of compassion.  But she was still 
cheating.  Hermione herself would admit that she was cheating.  At 
this point she had decided that it was worth breaking the rules 
to "save" Neville's pet.  As I said before, Hermione was acting out 
of kindness.  But she *does* sabatoge Snape's attempts to reach a 
troubled student.

Remember, the whole point of learning Potions is that someday you 
may very well have to use your knowledge. (The classes in WW tend to 
be very practical, rather than pure theory.)  Snape was trying, IMO, 
to drive home to Neville that at some point someone may have to 
drink a potion he has made.  Therefore it is imperative that he 
*follow directions precisely*.  I am of the opinion that Snape would 
not have allowed Trevor to die, but I think he thought it important 
that Neville think his toad's life depended upon his brewing 
ability.  After all, at some point an emergency like that might 
occur, and what will happen if Hermione's not around to save the day?

I would also point out that Snape only takes five points from 
Gryffindor.  So while he's not pleased that Neville did not do the 
potion on his own, as requested, Snape does not crucify anyone for 
what, IMO, was a blatant example of cheating.  Maybe Snape 
recognized the reasoning behind Hermione's actions?  Or maybe I'm 
giving him too much credit and Snape only took a few points because 
he had no definitive proof.  Either way, I don't think Snape reacts 
in a barbaric or over-the-top-way.  Honestly, I think Snape was 
rather restrained.

Betsy, who thinks Neville garnered quite a bit of talk in the staff 
room and probably caused many professors a great deal of frustration 
as they tried to bring out his true potential.