[HPforGrownups] Re: Snape as teacher

[Jen Faulkner]

No: HPFGUIDX 17469

On Sun, 22 Apr 2001, Morag Traynor wrote:

> There's much I can agree with here, and much I can't, but
> I'll just ask (I know, I know, I said I wouldn't say any more on this!) that 
> if he doesn't think Hermione is worthy, bearing in mind she knew the answers 
> to his over-demanding questions in the first lesson *and* brewed the 
> demanding polyjuice potion, which takes a month, from *books*, in her second 
> year, then who could ever be good enough?

I would guess that Snape's not impressed by ability alone, but is rather
looking for a student who shares his passion for potions:

" 'As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly
believe this is magic.  I don't expect you will really understand the
beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the
delicate pwoer of liquids that creep through human veins, bewitching the
mind, ensnaring the senses.... I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew
glory, even stopper death -- if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads
as I usually have to teach.' " (SS 137 -- still my favorite Snape
moment.)

I don't think "dunderheads" really does refer only to students (like
Harry *g*) who don't know things or make mistakes, what one might call
'stupid' students, but rather also to thick-headed philistines who can't
see the aesthetic art in potion-making.

Hermi is certainly a talented student, but she doesn't have any real
love of Potions, I don't think.  And thus she isn't what Snape is
looking for in a student.

--jen :)

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