McGonagall Helping Harry and Clumsy Tonks (WAS: OOP: First-read Reactions)

[Phyllis]

Penny wrote:

> I've always known she [McGonagall] was a softie at heart, but you 
> really see her displaying more of that in this one.  "Potter, if I 
> have to work with you every single evening, I will make sure you 
> qualify for Auror studies" (paraphrase).  I loved her.  Loved her 
> to pieces.  :::::screams:::::::

I loved this, too, but I was disappointed when she didn't follow-up 
on her promise.  Harry went to his O.W.L.s without any extra help 
from McGonagall, and without top O.W.L. marks in Potions and 
Transfiguration, both of which she tells him he's not up to snuff in, 
he wouldn't be able to get the required N.E.W.T.s in order to become 
an Auror.  Granted, Umbridge had passed a decree that said that 
teachers couldn't talk about anything other than their own subjects, 
so presumably McGonagall couldn't give Harry extra help in Potions, 
but there was no mention of Harry receiving extra Transfiguration 
sessions.  And Snape was able to teach him Occlumency after hours 
under the cover of Remedial Potions, so why couldn't McGonagall have 
provided Harry with extra help on non-transfiguration subjects under 
a similar cover?  Of course, it might have been easier for Snape 
since he's apparently in league with Lucius Malfoy (whether as a spy 
or for real, we don't know) and Umbridge would therefore trust him 
where she doesn't trust McGonagall.

Penny again:
 
> And, I liked Tonks.  I don't think we saw enough of her to make a 
> judgment about her role in the Order or anything, but I liked her 
> quite alot and look forward to seeing her again.  

I liked Tonks, too.  I think it's because I could really relate to 
how clumsy she is, because I'm a klutz, too!  Also, her clumsiness 
pointed out that you don't have to be perfect to become an Auror, 
which I thought was a valuable piece of information for Harry to have.

~Phyllis