The most powerful student

[George]

I am of the following belief:
There is, there must be, some greater power attributed to wizards than their wands. Wizards are not special because they can hold a wooden stick and blast things out of it... that cannot be all of it. I believe that either Harry, or whoever will fight Voldemort in the end will do it without the aid of a wand. We see a little bit of this in Dumbledore.
Finally, think back to the Matrix. Remember, the One, yeah? Well, maybe the Half Blood Prince is a bit of an equivalent... maybe the HBP is the only one that can truly fight Voldemort.
What says thou?

[Kingsley]

Well I know the Matrix like back of my hand but I dont think the same applies
The prophecy already states that Voldemort will mark the one responsible for his downfall--and that he is born to those who defied him etc--unless you are speculatin that Neville is the HBP :)

As far as the implied ideas here--there is a thread for the identity of the HBP and there is one dedicated to the speculation of the prophecy as well

And lastly, I think we have already figured out who the most powerful student at Hogwarts is :cool:

[Tinkerbell]

I agree George, that there is more to wizardry than blasting a wooden stick! I guess it is down to the fact that some from the magical world are Squibs in that they don't exhibit this "certain something" that is required before they even start learning the basics of wizardry at Hogwarts.

As for the most powerful student - we are talking the youngest male Weasley.... aren't we Kings?!?!??? ;)

[Kingsley]

Well Tink I would have to say that the most powerful Hogwarts student is defintely in the DA :D

[Boing]

Kingsley, you are so cryptic! So mysterious! :D

As for there being more to wizards than just the "stick," I agree. I mean, wizards have to learn how to use the magic and even then, some of them just aren't that great at it. JKR has said that you cannot be "a little bit magic," but you are either magical or not. So, in that case, it seems everyone must have the same amount of magic, but some are better than others at harnessing it and using it.

[Hermione]

I agree, there is the consideration of the wizard behind the wand, or else everyone would be on the same level. They are clearly not, when the skill level runs from Hermione to Neville.

The most powerful student? Powerful how? Malfoy is powerful because of his father's money and political connections. Susan Bones could become powerful if her mother gets the Minster of Magic position. Harry is definatly powerful, having defied Lord Voldemort five times now, and still standing to tell the tale. Hermione is powerful because of her magic poweress.

[Padma Patil]

I agree, it does depend on who is behind the wand. Because if you compare say Neville and Hermione doing the same spell under the same conditions, it will not have the same effect. Hermione is usually better than Neville. Though I do wonder if Neville would be better if he had his own wand.

But I do not think that the Half Blood Prince is the one to defeat Voldemort. That has already been cleared that Harry is that person and Harry is not the HBP.

Meredith has point too, are you looking for the most powerful as in using magic or political power or what?