THE PENSIEVE PAPERS

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[Around the midpoint of the Fall 1991 term, Deputy Headmistress M. McGonagall compiled, by request of A. Dumbledore, a report on the Gryffindor first-year cohort. The document consists of handwritten notes on an official roster, with a handwritten summary at the end. Three names – Hermione Granger, Ronald Weasley, and H.J. Potter – are circled in red. Her report is significant also for the inclusion of L. Moon and S-A. Perks, two female students who were enrolled, sorted, and promptly removed by their families from Hogwarts School. Hogwarts public record, accessed 2021.]

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Brown, Lavender – gossipy nuisance. Accused of bullying by several families; pursuing investigation. Below-average magical ability.

Finnegan, Seamus – demonstrable evidence of the inferiority of the Irish race.

Granger, Hermione – above average magical ability, especially with regard to theory; practical magical ability average. Was an exceptional student at muggle school (winner of a scholarship for logical ability, wrote a winning essay on Aristotelian syllogisms). Disliked by peers, has filed accusations of bullying against House cohort. Particularly disliked by Weasley and HJP. Friendship would benefit Potter, efforts should be made to bring about positive acquaintance.

Longbottom, Neville – demonstrable evidence of the necessity of 1st-year weeding examinations. Shows no traces of his parents’ skill; unlikely to pass OWL.

Moon, Lily – unenroled following family complaint (filed bullying accusation; investigation pending).

Patil, Parvati – the less exceptional of the sisters, pulled further downward by close friendship with Miss Brown.

Perks, Sally-Anne – unenroled following family complaint (filed bullying accusation; investigation pending).

Potter, Harry James – academically average, therefore perhaps best of the boys’ lot. Demonstrates a tendency toward defiance, arrogance; disciplinary measures taken on several occasions (out of bed past hours, aggression toward other students, insubordination, cursing). No indications of aptitude in any subject. Average flier; recruited for Gryffindor House team as Seeker.

Thomas, Dean – defiant, insolent, sullen, disruptive; convinced of the supremacy of muggle sports, music, and technology. Poor speech. Will requires significant and attitudinal shift to succeed as a Hogwarts student.

Weasley, Ronald – underperforming, low magical ability, low general intelligence. Demonstrates none of the abilities revealed in his older siblings, all of the wit of his father. Has developed close friendship with HJP; involved in several infractions requiring disciplinary action (out of bed, aggression, unsatisfactory uniform, unapproved pet). Magical ability hindered by inadequate materials (broken wand, second-hand potions materials). Some aptitude in chess (competition rather lacking).

NOTES: All in all, perhaps the worst Gryffindor cohort I have ever headed. With the exception of Miss Granger, not a single one of them demonstrates the skills of a Hogwarts student, and not a single one of them demonstrates the moral qualities of a Gryffindor. HJP will require significant supports to rise to expectations. I will do what I can to foster a friendship with Granger (I believe there is nothing I can do to break up his friendship with Weasley), but unless significant changes occur I fear inter-house relationships will be necessary if we hope to witness peer-supported growth.

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