Discrepancy of skills

[exodusts]

No: HPFGUIDX 147994

> Flop:
> That's the case, but remember how Hermione reacted in
> the Devil's Snare! She knew what it was, she knew how
> to get it to back down, but she choked under the
> pressure of the situation, wailing that there was no
> wood to make a fire. *RON* had to point out that she
> was a witch and could bloody well use her wand!


Exodusts:
Absolutely. But the Devil's Snare was a real life-or-death situation. 
The DADA exam was an exam. Hermione lives for exams. Think of the 
preparation she did. Exam stress didn't put her off in any other 
subject. It can't be the practical element that put her off, since she 
did Outstandingly well in other subjects requiring practical work. She 
should have got an O. Harry should have got an O plus some kind of 
special recognition from the Exam Board. That way Hermione could still 
be jealous, and learn to deal with imperfection; the recognition that 
she cannot always be the best at everything. Her E seems just a teensy 
bit contrived.