Apropos of nothing - a random HP thought.

[ridicully]

Where does half the fandom get the impression that Harry is cheating by using a book with notes in it?

They are allowed to use their book while brewing and are supposed to have read up on the potion they are preparing in class.
And in written tests, I doubt they are allowed to use their books anyway, so the notes won't be any help to him there.
The only difference I see between Harry and a Ravenclaw (in this instance) is that the Ravenclaw would have made the notes himself - and probably not in the book, but on a spare bit of paper.

Having better reference material is rarely considered cheating. No matter how much of an advantage it gives you.

Comments

[ridicully]

But he still has to brew the potions himself. If he just had to tap the book twice and his cauldron would be filled I might agree with you, be he is still doing the work he is supposed to do in the class, which is following the instructions and brewing a potion while.

Where is the difference from missing one lesson or making his notes unreadable by spilling tea all over them and then copying Hermione's notes so he can work?

I won't deny you can argue that it might be morally not quite right, but I can't see how he can be accused of actually cheating.

(For example, I've chosen not to attend one of my lectures at all in the whole year. For the exam I'm preparing by the book. I know of others who prepare with notes of people who actually attended the lectures. Nonetheless, none of us are cheating.
Even though we are benefiting of someone else doing most of the work.)

[ryf.livejournal.com]

(For example, I've chosen not to attend one of my lectures at all in the whole year. For the exam I'm preparing by the book. I know of others who prepare with notes of people who actually attended the lectures. Nonetheless, none of us are cheating.

Good example. Also, I hope that in his NEWT exams, they would actually just give him a sheet of paper with Potions names and he would have to brew them from memeory. Or check the book beforehand. Everything else would be acreless on part of the teachers.