CHAPDISC: HBP11, Hermione's Helping Hand

[Geoff Bannister]

No: HPFGUIDX 149012

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "quigonginger" 
<quigonginger at ...> wrote:

Ginger:
> CHAPTER DISCUSSIONS: HArry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, 
Chapter 
> 11, Hermione's Helping Hand

<snip>

> Cormac McClaggen, after approaching Harry at the beginning of  
> tryouts, saves four out of five penalties.  On the fifth, he flies 
> off in the wrong direction. As Ron mounts his broomstick, Lavender 
> shouts   "Good luck" from the stands.  Ron saves all five, and is 
> awarded the position, much to the displeasure of Cormac, who 
> reminds Harry of an angry Uncle Vernon.
> 
> Hermione congratulates Ron on his performance, and the trio heads 
> off to see Hagrid.  Ron relives his saves, and notes that Cormac 
> appeared Confunded on the one he missed.  Harry notes that this 
> brings a flush to Hermione's face.

<snip>

> Harry catches Hermione aside as they go into the Great Hall for  
> supper, and confronts her gently on the Confunding of Cormac.  She 
> admits that she did so, but defends herself by saying that Cormac 
> was maligning Ron and Ginny, and that he isn't the sort Harry would 
> want on the team, what with his temper and all.  Harry agrees, but 
> can't resist teasingly chiding Hermione for her dishonesty despite 
> her prefect status.

Geoff:
This brought up a thought I have had in the past and never voiced.

Why did JKR introduce McClaggan into the book? To me, he doesn't seem 
to add anything valuable to the advancement of the story and seems to 
be a bit of a spare part.

Anyone agree?