What was Harry's role in Slughorn's house? WAS: Re: CHAPDISC: HBP4,

[Miles]

No: HPFGUIDX 143458

Alla wrote:
> Thanks. I also find Slughorn to be very interesting new character,
> in fact probably the most interesting new character introduced in
> books 5 and 6.

Miles:
I do as well, and will make a prophecy that will not be interrupted by any
barkeeper ;) at the end of this mail.

Alla continued:
> Going back to your question, now I start doubting myself - is it
> really enough gain for Slughorn to come back to Hogwarts only
> because of the possibility that Harry would join his club? It is not
> even a guarantee.

Miles wrote:
I think Dumbledore's idea was somewhat more complex, and he was right (as we
know).
So, the basic is DD knowing about Slughorn's Slug Club, collecting people
for it, or to put it in modern terms, he knows that Slughorn has been
"networking" for decades. So, Harry for sure is someone Slughorn would love
to collect, that is beyound all doubt. But that is not the trick. Slughorn
begins his "work" on Harry, charming, interrogating, narrating... and
realizing, that there is no existing network to which he could add Harry.
With bringing Slughorn in contact to Harry, DD shows him what he lost, what
he really, really misses. He puts the finger into Slughorns wound - and it
works fine.

So, now my prophecy - maybe it overstretches this topic a bit, but I find
the idea interesting enough to discuss it a bit.

I see good chances that Horace Slughorn will be the next Headmaster of
Hogwarts.
There are some pros and cons for this, and I'm absolutely aware of the
speculative charakter of this. Some arguments:
- pro: Rowling would not introduce a new character so extensively, if she
would not intend to use it as a main character in the last book. Headmaster
would be very important even if Harry will not return to Hogwarts (which I
doubt)
- pro: the new Headmaster  is likely to be important for the last book
- pro: McGonnagall is far from being a favourite of the Ministry, but the
Ministry will decide ore decisively influence the allocation of this
important job. I do not see any other teacher apart from her and Slughorn to
be qualified for the job
- pro: Slughorn is absolutely qualified for the job. He has been a teacher
for decades, he used to be Head of House for a long time - and he is
Slytherin. I'm quite sure, that the Ministry is full of Slytherins, and full
of members of Slughorn's network
- con: Slughorn likes to be in the background, not in the limelight.
- con: Slughorn is too old and will retire after DD is dead
- con: any ideas?

Miles, who should have been more cautious in pointing at others to be
speculative