Harry's DADA skill was Re: Albus and Gellert/Voldemort's Power

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 182682

 
> Alla:
> 
> Look, do you agree that Boggart is like real Dementor in all 
effects 
> it has on the human being, except sucking the soul?
> 
> Where do we see any other kid casting Patronus on real Dementor 
when 
> he is Harry's age. That's what I am trying to say is that I find it 
> bizarre that the fact that Harry IS able to do so somehow is being 
> used against him.

Potioncat:
I get it! It's round bush/ square bush. (sparing the rest of the list 
a mildly amusing anectdote)

Nothing is being used against Harry. But I see now where we're 
diverging. The Boggart/dementor had a strong effect on Harry and it 
was very difficult to learn to cast a Patronus against it. Harry had 
to learn. He was being affected by the Dementors at Hogwarts. So yes, 
Harry deserves credit for learning this difficult spell. No doubt 
about it. While we agree (I think) that Harry is a standard wizarding 
student, he does have a predisposition for DADA. And with great 
effort, he learned to cast the Patronus.

Personally, I think Lupin went about it all wrong. But we don't know 
how he learned or who taught him. Maybe adult wizards are taught with 
a real Dementor while other wizards are standing around ready to 
control it. Besides, Lupin earned his teaching creditials from the 
School of Dramatic Effect.

Harry did a better job of teaching the spell. Lupin should have 
taught him to cast the spell, to cast it well, then to face the 
Boggart/Dementor.

The point I'm making, and I think Carol as well, is that no other 
student gets the opportunity to face a Boggart/Dementor to practice 
on. So while they learn the spell under good circumstances, they 
aren't strong enough to cast it under the real situation. We don't 
know how they might have done under that stressful, but safe 
situation. 

Even with the special training, Harry also had the rare situation of 
seeing himself cast it before he did it. Not taking anything away 
from Harry, just saying the situation was quite unusual.


 
> Alla:
> 
> I see no proof that any thirteen year old COULD learn to do that, 
> that's my point. Sure, Hary did not manage from the first try, my 
> point is that I do not see anybody else who could have managed to 
do 
> so ON THE REAL DEMENTOR, since as far as I am concerned Boggart is 
> the same thing in its effects.

Potioncat:
Well, I think that a 15 year old could teach it to 14 and 15 year 
olds, shows that teens are able to learn it. I don't think any of the 
adult wizards would have expected that result.

Besides, if Umbridge could cast one, and maintain it, then it can't 
be too difficult.

Back to Boggarts. Everyone had to face their worst fear and cast a 
Ridikulus. Let me tell you. I would have had just as hard a time with 
facing a Boggart/Spider as Harry did with the Boggart/Dementor. They 
would have had to pick me up from the floor a few times before I was 
successful---if I ever was. So I think the students are able to learn 
a great deal with the right teacher.

> 
> Alla:
> My objection is to denying what Harry achieved, when his Es somehow 
> do not mean much, when his Patronus does not mean much, etc, etc.

Potioncat:
But Harry achieved a lot! No one is arguing that.