First lesson WAS: Re: Marietta, was Slytherin's Reputation

[jkoney65]

No: HPFGUIDX 185815

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "montavilla47" 
<montavilla47 at ...> wrote:
>
> Montavilla47:
> 
 
> Montavilla47:
> Perhaps, but I tend to doubt it.  I went over the reasons, but I'll 
go 
> over them again quickly.
> 
> In order for someone to get an O in their O.W.L.s, they would need
> to be extremely bright and diligent (as Hermione is in all her 
classes),
> or extremely motivated and with natural aptitude (as Harry was in 
> D.A.D.A.)  
> 
> We don't see Harry having any particular affinity for Potions.  He 
> doesn't, for example, single out Potions as an interesting subject
> when he peruses his books between purchasing them and going to
> Hogwarts.  

jkoney:
I think Harry ended up getting the E because he started working hard 
on learning the subject. He wanted to be auror and knew he needed the 
upper class to study for the Newt. He promised McGonnagol and to a 
lesser degree wanted to spite Umbridge. So I think those things made 
him study and learn the subject.

> 
> Now, if Snape had been a different type of teacher, he might have
>> Montavilla47:
> Sorry to interrupt here, but I went back and read the relevant 
passage
> and I'm not seeing a lot of anger or hatred in that first lesson.  
Snape
> is being demanding, yes.  But it doesn't seem that personal.

jkoney:
You might not be seeing it now, but put yourself in Harry's place. 
Your an eleven year old, who is away at school in a totally different 
world, you are in your first class that had no pre-requirements and 
the teacher insults you and then starts questioning you on something 
you have never studied. Not only that, but he isn't questioning 
anyone else. You've lived and dealt with people like this you entire 
life. Now you just have to survive five years of this bully. I don't 
think potions is ever going to hold an interest at this point.



>