SPOILERS: School Books

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 184231

 
> Sarah:
> I don't see a mistake here.  The reason is that it's an ongoing 
theme 
> that Harry disagrees with pretty much everything Snape has to say 
on 
> the subject of Defence.

Potioncat:

You're right. Harry wouldn't agree with Snape if Snape said the rain 
was wet.

The error is that the information Snape gave does not agree with the 
information in the text book "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find 
Them."

I'm not sure if Kappas are real and do come from Japan, and the issue 
is that JKR made a mistake by having Snape say it. Or if she always 
intended for him to be wrong. I think she found out there was a 
mistake, and decided to have it be Snape's error. She has Ron and 
Harry catch the mistake and make note of it in the text. It's one of 
those moments we can all identify with---the teacher who does know it 
all, and who is mean, making a mistake.

I don't mind his making the error, I doubt that Snape would concern 
himself with wee dark beasties.


>Sarah:
> In HBP, Harry disagrees with Snape on how to defend against 
> dementors.  Like Harry, I had not realized there was even more than 
> one possible strategy.
> 
> In OOTP, Harry never does manage to learn Occlumency, not that he 
> tried very hard.  But Snape did not really explain very well what 
to 
> do in a manner that either Harry or I could understand. 

Potioncat:
Oh, we have lots of ideas about the other ways to defend against 
dementors. Does Snape know a better way or does he want to avoid 
showing his Protonus? Of course, Lupin teaches Expecto Patronum 
without showing his. I wouldn't be surprised if Snape's way is 
better. But we'll never know now.

As for Occlumency...no, I'd better not go there.


Potioncat, who doesn't mean that she thinks Kappas are really real,  
and also doesn't know if they are wee beasties or great horrible 
things.