Academic dishonesty.

[juli17 at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 139559

 
Finwich wrote:

And I  completely agree with Beverly on Slughorn's responsibility. 
It's even  possible he *knew* that book had belonged to Severus'. You 
know, maybe he  even *asked* for it, having *two* E-students coming to 
need one. I think  Ron got to borrow *Slughorn's* old book.



Julie says:
After I reread this passage in HBP, I found it interesting that  Slughorn
handed out these two books to Ron and Harry, giving Harry the HBP's
old Potions book. I too have wondered if Slughorn could have possibly
been aware of the identity of the previous owner of that book, and of
the notes contained therein. And if he chose--or was *directed*--to
give that particular book to Harry. 
 
I also still find Snape's relatively mild reaction to Harry's use of  the
Sectumsempra somewhat suspicious. Saturday detentions indeed
(which Harry says he doesn't deserve--to which I would have said,
"Fine, let's add Sundays, too" based on the actual severity of his
misdeed, though without Snape's nasty enjoyment of course).
Snape is more than happy to punish Harry, and shove his father's
punishments for his own misdeeds in Harry's face in the process,
but Snape doesn't haul Harry to the headmaster demanding he be 
expelled--a headmaster who certainly leaves a lot of discipline
strictly in the teacher's hands, as there is no indication Snape or
Harry even told DD what happened (that I recall, anyway). Why 
doesn't Snape take it more personally at the time that Harry is
cheating (which is what Snape flat out calls it) using his old
Potions notes? Perhaps because he knows that Harry learning
this information is vital to his eventual defeat of Voldemort?
 
Which brings me back to whether it is important  that Slughorn
handed out the used books and that Snape was more curious  than
truly vengeful over Harry's use of his old textbook. I can  but wonder
if it was only an amazing coincidence that the HBP textbook fell  into
Harry's hands.
 
Julie 


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