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

[ryf.livejournal.com]

He offers to let them read, but does he ever offer to help in class or with homework? Like 'hey, you need to add XYZ now'?

[maelwaedd.livejournal.com]

Didn't it say that he couldn't read it out to Ron because it'd attract attention?

[conuly]

*nods*

Though he could've read it outside of class, I'm not surprised that didn't occur to either of them.

[maelwaedd.livejournal.com]

*snorfles* I'm not surprised either. They could have also used the, er, muffilatio spell. I think I've spelled that incorrectly, but yeah. That spell that muffles stuff. It would've worked.

[(Anonymous)]

He tells Hermione what he's doing differently (with the stirring) the very first time he uses the book, and she throws a little hissy fit about how he's not doing it right.

And Ron's probably just watching what Harry's doing and copying, anyway. It's what he usually did with Hermione.