Dark Creature Favortism?

[author_by_night]

I apologize to those on my flist who are not into Harry Potter, but this is a poll I want to make available to those not necessarily on my friends list.

I have noticed that Vampires do not seem to be shunned in potterverse, like Werewolves. They have special candy for them, and apparently can be famous singers and invited to Christmas Parties in school (wherein they are followed by girl students.)

So - my poll:

[Poll #857657]

Comments

[unlikely2.livejournal.com]

I think Slughorn is a kind of vampire in that he takrs 'value' from those around him for his own benefit. For example, what sort of kickback did he get for choosing that dodgy textbook? Who is he likely to recommend for a post at Saint Mungo's? The better student or the one with an Aunt on the Wizengamot? How do you feel about the better connected but less effective healer treating your child? (What if s/he's out on the magical equivalent of the golf course?) For some reason that kind of predation is often more acceptable than someone thieving in order to eat.

[author-by-night.livejournal.com]

Good point about Slughorn - he does seem more about people who he admires, doesn't he? Although I can't imagine him endangering his students. I think, flaws and all, he does care about them.

*Shrugs* Does that make me weird? ;)

[unlikely2.livejournal.com]

'll admit bias because I suspect that he'll be one of those who are 'not what they seem' in book 7. I'm not entirely sure that his 'I taught him' in HBP with regard to Snape wasn't a boast. We'll find out next year. ;)
That aside, maybe Slughorn doesn't think he's doing harm. He could believe he's a force for good, identifying the 'stars' and 'helping friends' but I suppose it depends on how you'd feel about someone with inferior qualifications getting a job you wanted because of who they know. (As you might have guessed, I've a particularly nasty bunny biting my leg). Perhaps we should agree to disagree?
Good question though.

[author-by-night.livejournal.com]

Oh, I do think "getting people jobs" is unfair. I think Slughorn cares about his students, but a little too much at times. It's unfair to the other people.

[tree_and_leaf]

I agree with you, actually. I like Slughorn, for all his obvious faults, and he's a very recognisable type of British (university) professor. All the older universities are full of people like that, who love making connections between people. This disadvantage is that they often play favourites, but on the upside they are often good at seeing beyond someone's academic qualifications to their other strengths.

I think the use of the textbook has more to do with the belief of certain types of teacher that the book they've used all their career is the best one available - I had a maths teacher at school who insisted on using a book which my mother had learned from. And I ended up with an excellent grades, so *shrugs*.