Academic dishonesty

[Caius Marcius]

No: HPFGUIDX 139447

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "lupinlore" <bob.oliver at c...> 
wrote:
Indeed, the only real example we 
> have of a professor who truly seems to "connect" with a student -- 
> save for Harry and Lupin which is a special case due to Lupin's 
> history -- is Neville and Professor Sprout.  It just doesn't seem 
> that good teaching is much of a Hogwarts' tradition.  

Although it is hinted at and not directly portrayed, I would argue 
that a similar bond exists between Hermione and McGonagall. Remember 
in OOP, when McGonagall tries to warn Harry to steer clear of 
Umbridge. Harry mutters back something about that Ministry 
interfering in Hogwarts. McGonagall expresses satisfaction that at 
least he listens to Hermione, which suggests that Hermione has 
already shared these concerns with her. There's the ample praise that 
McGonagall always gives to Hermione during Transfiguration lessons, 
as well as Hermione's boggart, in the form of McGonagall - not like 
Neville's Boggart-Snape, a fear of the flesh-and-blood instructor, 
but a fear of dissappointing someone who she regards with such 
reverence. (It wasn't the sight of the McGonagall boggart that 
frightened Hermione, but its declaration that she had failed all her 
courses).

Also, I would argue that "good teaching" implies more than simply 
fostering warm-fuzzies with the student. Flitwick, for example, seems 
to be an excellent teacher who imparts his knowledge with 
considerable skill (even if Charms are a soft option). And Flitwick 
may very well have built such bonds with other students, who are not 
part of the main narrative.

  - CMC