Discrepancy of skills

[susanbones2003]

No: HPFGUIDX 147825

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Miles" <miles at ...> wrote:
>
> 
SNIPPED
 Deb (djklaugh) wrote
> > I agree Jen. As I see it Harry has learned his DADA so well it's
> > become instinctive... he does not have to think very hard to know
> > what would work best in any given situation - he just does the 
thing
> > that seems to be the best response to the situation at hand.
> > Hermione on the other hand still has to think things through 
before
> > taking action.  Plus... as far as his OWL grades are concerned...
> > Harry got extra credit for performing the Patronus spell and 
proving
> > to everyone that he can indeed invoke a corporeal Patronus.
> 
> Miles:
> I do not buy this one. This would mean, that the examiner failed 
to give the
> most extraordinary witch in the year the chance to gain the best 
mark. I
> can't believe that, do you? In any oral/practical exam I attended 
(at school
> and university), the examiners tried to find out whether they 
could give me
> top grades when they realised that my knowledge was above average. 
And I do
> not doubt that the examiners for OWLs and NEWTs would act in the 
same way.
> 
> I think JKR wanted to point out Harry's outstanding talent here - 
but she
> did it inadequately concerning her own plot.
> 
> Miles

Hi MILES!
I respect your experience. I had similar experience with a French 
economics professor. I was his only conscious student for an 8:00 am 
Macro class and at exam time, he was very keen for me to do well. 
What I can say in JKR's favor is that Hermione has a history of 
choking during her DADA exam. Remember her disastrous final with 
Lupin where her bogart turned into McGonagall and gave her a zero on 
a homework paper? That was my first thought when you all pointed out 
the best student of the year couldn't possibly do less than 
an "outstanding" in all her exams. 
Cheers!
Jen D.
>