Poison

[Richard]

No: HPFGUIDX 146805

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "agdisney" <agdisney at m...> 
wrote:
>
> Andie:
> 
> Looking through HBP I came upon something that I can't figure out,
> maybe everyone else can?
> 
> On the tower, Draco tells DD, "I got the idea of poisoning the mead
> from the Mudblood Granger as well.  I heard her talking in the 
library
> about Filch not recognizing potions." pg 589 US
> 
> Pg 307, Harry & Hermione are in the library:  "--so it would be 
down to 
> Filch to realize it wasn't a cough potion, and he's not a very good
> wizard, I doubt he can tell on potion from --"
> Hermione stopped dead:  Harry had heard it too.  somebody had 
moved 
> close behind them among the dark bookshelves.  they waited, and a 
> moment later the vulturelike countenance of Madam Pince appeared...
> 
> Who was actually listening in?  Madam Pince was behind them 
listening.
> Draco isn't mentioned.  Not that that matters but H & H were 
> whispering.  They should have noticed if anyone else was around.
> 
> How did Draco overhear their conversation?
>

Richard here:

We have to accept the prima facie evidence of canon as "fact," so 
Draco DID overhear this conversation.  We simply don't know where 
Draco was in the library ... perhaps one stack away looking for a 
book with information on vanishing cabinets.  Further, we are not 
told that Madame Pince is the person they first hear, only that she 
appeared "a moment later."  It may well have been Draco they heard 
when he moved to conceal what he was doing or the book he held from 
Madame Pince.

Given Draco's increasing concern about actually accomplishing his 
task, and thereby avoiding death, I can't imagine him NOT trying 
just about every resource available, including the Hogwarts library, 
which we know has only failed Hermione once, and that on the subject 
of Horcruxes.  Given his certain dread of being discovered in his 
efforts, I also imagine he would be very careful to avoid others 
discovering what he was investigating.

So, I think Harry and Hermione heard Draco, and coincidentally saw 
Madame Pince.

Richard