Snape, Hagrid and Animals

[a_svirn]

No: HPFGUIDX 143783

> Irene: 
> Can you imagine McGonagall not noticing that some students didn't 
hear
> a crucial bit of instructions? She would notice that Malfoy
> deliberately didn't listen, would make him repeat, take points, 
repeat
> it again etc.

a_svirn:

Actually, I can. Wasn't it McGonagall's lesson when Neville 
transplanted his own ears? Obviously he missed a crucial part of her 
instruction, otherwise it wouldn't have happened. Also I don't think 
it's fair to compare Hagrid's first ever lesson with McGonagall 
almost forty years of experience. I imagine on her first day as a 
teacher she wasn't half as formidable as she is now.

> Irene: 
> I can't believe people defend Hagrid for this lesson. He didn't 
bring
> one Hippogriff, as in the movie, he brought several and the 
children
> were supposed to work with them simultaneously.
> Even if they'd all listened to the last word of the instructions,
> there is no way Hagrid could supervise this lesson to some 
standard of
> safety.

a_svirn:
They weren't *supposed* to work with them simultaneously. They 
*were* working with them simultaneously. And interestingly enough 
Draco was the only one who had problems, precisely, because he 
hadn't listened the instructions. Well, Neville didn't make much 
progress with his hippogriff, still he wasn't in any danger. 

> Irene: 
> Bringing it back to Snape, if we use the same standard, it must be 
all
> Neville's fault, right? 

a_svirn:

Er.. what is Neville's fault? His poor performance at potions? Well, 
yes, I suppose it is.

> Irene: 
>Because Snape's instructions are perfectly
> clear, and Hermione can brew perfect potions from them, so why 
can't
> Neville?

a_svirn:
Well, there is that. 

>Irene:
> Oh, and when Harry deliberately disrupts a lesson, Snape would not 
be
> at fault at all if some children were seriously hurt as a result?

a_svirn:
No, responsibility was Harry's. Not that they were hurt, exactly. 
Just had their noses momentarily enlarged.

Irene: 
>  It's lucky that he's a "sadistic git" then, not another 
teacher "with
> a heart of gold", like Hagrid. I'm not sure Hogwarts could take 
two.

a_svirn:
Do you know I believe one doesn't necessarily have to be a git, 
sadistic or otherwise, to maintain discipline in the classroom? Take 
Slughorn for instance – a perfectly amiable gentleman, and yet he 
experiences no difficulties whatsoever in holding his pupils 
attention.