I wouldn't rule out that sort of thing. I quite see the wisdom in your father's suggestion. (And I rather doubt he had in mind that you'd be expecting a debating partner or someone to make small talk with.)

But I don't think any of the halfbloods here are likely. Not yet, at any rate. I think that sort of thing makes more sense after leaving school. When we're not all eating in the same hall for every meal.

Yes, I expect you're right about the author. If she'd been called Randy Reville, it wouldn't have caught nearly so many people's attention.