Discrepancy of skills

[Deb]

No: HPFGUIDX 147841


Deb wrote: 
  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

Deb here:

HBP, Scholastic, Chapter 32 O.W.L.s page 714-15:

"... and on Thursday, Defense Against the Dark Arts. Here, for the 
first time, Harry felt sure he had passed. He had no problems with 
any of the written questions and took particular pleasure, during 
the practical examination, in performing all the counterjinxes and 
defensive spells right in front of Umbridge, who was watching coolly 
from near the doors into the entrance hall.
 'Oh bravo!' cried Professor Tofty, who was examining Harry again 
when Harry demonstrated a perfect boggart banishing spell. "Very 
good indeed! Well, I think that's all, Potter... unless...'
  He leaned forward a little.
 'I heard... that you can produce a Patronus? For a bonus point...?'
  Harry raised his wand, looked directly at Umbridge, and imagined 
her being sacked.
  'Expecto Patronum!'
  The silver stag erupted from the end of his wand and cantered the 
length of the hall..... Professor Tofty clapped his veined and 
knotted hands enthusiastically.
  'Excellent!' he said. 'Very well, Potter, you may go.'

Reads to me like Harry went from an E-exceeds expectations to an O- 
outstanding on the basis of his Patronus - just my interpretation of 
this passage.  

Deb (djklaugh) who's only Snape-like teacher during high school and 
college was a prep school English teacher - expository writing in 
fact. Professor D gave a first lesson speech very similar to 
Snape's "as there will be no silly wand waving" speech with a  touch 
of Tom Hanks' diatribe in "A League of Their Own" - "there's no 
crying in baseball"