On lying and cheating

[Mike]

No: HPFGUIDX 165402

Mike interjecting now:

I think Valky might be hitting on something here that we've all 
overlooked, including me. I'm hoping to accurately re-phrase her 
position here.

Harry has matured and moved on from his more simple academic days.  
He looks at everything now from the prism of 'How will this help me 
defeat Voldemort?' He's back at Hogwarts because that's where 
Dumbledore is and less than two weeks from the end of fifth year, 
Dumbledore has already sent a letter to let Harry know things have 
changed. By the end of that pick-up-at-the-Dursleys night, Dumbledore 
has already informed Harry that he will be taking a special interest 
in his training.

Sure, Harry is going to classes trying to continue his education. 
But,  1) like Geoff said, where else is he going to go? To do what?  
And,  2) like Valky said, Harry is there because Dumbledore is there.
These are the two major reasons for his attendance. Everything 
associated with school is of secondary importance right now. Also, 
notice how much of the time Harry spends concerning himself with 
Draco and what he's doing compared to how little time we spend with 
Harry in class. School has become a periphery concern, not totally 
ignored, but his academic performance does not occupy the top place 
in the grand scheme of things anymore.

Now some will say that JKR has indeed shown Harry is interested in 
his academic performance and point to his new-found potion brilliance 
and accolades as the indicator. Nobody is saying that Harry isn't 
enjoying an easier time because of the HBP. And, nobody is saying 
that Harry is correcting that new potions brilliance moniker he's 
gotten from the HBP book. What Valky is saying (and I'm agreeing 
with) is:

In http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/165378
Valky:
Pleasing Slughorn in class would surely seem like a petty and 
unimportant goal, while the option of having the onus to do that off 
your back while you concentrate on other things that you feel are 
vital.. wouldn't that seem the right path ?

This is in conjunction with what Steve said:

In http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/165380

Steve/bboyminn:
While Harry certainly sees Slughorn as far more benevolent than 
Snape, he none the less sees Slughorn for what he is, and he is not 
pleased. Slughorn wants him for a trophy, Slughorn sucks up to him 
because Harry is famous, and that is exactly the type of person Harry 
has made a constant effort to avoid.

Mike:
IOW, what comes across as Harry's oppurtunistic cheating to some, 
comes across as an apathy towards correcting Slughorn to others. 
Harry has never seeked out praise, Harry doesn't particularly like 
Slughorn, Harry is aware of Slughorn's collecting talent motif, and 
Harry doesn't particularly care what Slughorn thinks of him. 

The *only* time Harry cares about Slughorn's attention (and the only 
time Steve, myself and others think Harry is lying by omission) is 
when he brews the Euphoria Elixer. But Harry has an ulterior motive 
in this case, trying to get the memory out of Slughorn. 

What Valky is trying to tell us is that Harry cares not a wit for 
what Slughorn thinks of him, he *needs* that memory and *that* is 
what he cares about. Harry has a higher calling now, he's using the 
HBP's brilliance to further his cause. So Slughorn thinks his 
brilliance comes from his mother, so what? Harry only cares about his 
ability to exploit that advantage to get things he needs to fight 
Voldemort.

And Magpie, you said it yourself:

In http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/165383

Magpie:
Though in this case I don't think that's an issue since Harry
himself isn't defending himself the way he's being defended here.

Mike:
Why did we miss this? Here we all are trying to defend Harry's use of 
the book, while Harry isn't. Why isn't Harry? Maybe because Harry 
doesn't feel a need to. Maybe because Harry just thinks of the book's 
potions brilliance as relieving him of one more nuisance, namely 
studying for potions work. Harry does have a twinge of conscience 
after he wins the Felix, but after that he simply wants Hermione to 
stop with the nagging. He defends the "Prince" with regards to his 
dodginess, but not himself for using the book. That's what Valky is 
trying expkain to us.

Plus, of course, Harry is really enjoying discovering all those new 
spells. But that's just a side benefit, and though he defends the 
Prince against Hermione, none of us really had a problem with those 
until we got to Sectumsempra. This is all a side issue. The big 
picture is that Harry has shifted his focus.

Now, please don't think I'm saying it's wrong to discuss the morality 
of Harry using the book to gain an advantage. I'm just pointing out 
that there is an element that many of us missed and Valky has 
correctly brought to the fore. And there is an element of maturing 
Harry that I know I missed. I've lamented Harry not advancing 
magically as he prepares to battle Voldemort while missing his 
psychological/state of mind advancement. Mea Culpa! 

Mike, who hopes he did justice to Valky's position and hoping she 
accepts his apology if he's mis-stated it :-)