Discrepancy of skills

[allies426]

No: HPFGUIDX 147744

Two topics in the area of magical skill do not add up for me.

1.  Hermione Granger, most talented witch of her age, able to 
perform well on both written and practical exams, able to master 
complicated spells in a single lesson, able to produce a Patronus in 
one D.A. session... achieves only an E on her DADA Owl????  I 
realize that JKR wrote the OWL grades to highlight that Harry is 
exceptionally talented at DADA, but it's not realistic for me that 
Hermione wouldn't have achieved the same grade.  I know JKR planted 
the seed way back in PoA.  It's not like the subject is difficult 
for Hermione - she masters those spells in the same way as anything 
else.  So what gives?

2.  Harry Potter is the son of Lily Evans and James Potter.  James 
Potter was a Quidditch star, but he was also Head Boy and very 
smart.  Lily, we know, was very talented in Charms and Potions.  We 
know that Harry VERY MUCH takes after his parents - he looks exactly 
like James, is a Quidditch star himself, and he has Lily's eyes and 
her cheek.  Despite being JUST LIKE his parents, Harry is, by most 
standards, a slightly above average wizard with an aptitude for one 
subject.  He works very hard a lot of the time for even the basic 
skills.  By rights, Harry really ought to have a little more 
**natural** magical talent than he's written.  

Allie