Order of Phoenix / Employment /Potions

[cynthiaanncoe at home.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 25078

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., Koinonia2 at h... wrote:
> --- > 
> Potions is one of the required subjects so obviously it is very 
> important.  Think Polyjuice Potion.  How many times has that come 
> into play?  How about the potion for Lupin?  I have a feeling 
potions 
> is going to play an important role later on.  IMO it *is* at the 
top 
> of the heap.
> 
> Also, when did Snape ever say he wanted the DADA job?  Go back and 
> read his speech in PoS.  Sounds like someone who loves potions. 
Snape 
> also didn't like it when Lockhart said he was going to whip up a 
> Mandrake Restorative Draught.
> 
> "Excuse me," said Snape icily.  "But I believe I am the Potions 
> master at this school."    
> 
> Koinonia

Actually, the office politics among the teachers is kind of 
interesting.  I think Snape talks about the importance of potions in 
PS/SS because, hey, what else is he going to say, particularly when 
he seems set on intimidating Harry from Day 1?  Also, History of 
Magic is probably a required course (or our heroes would have dropped 
it by now), and it certainly isn't important as it is being taught 
now.  Snape's remark to Lockhart is classic turf war stuff with the 
latest celebrity pretty-boy to join the staff.

Now DADA, on the other hand, has to be a great job.  Look at who 
Dumbledore has picked to fill it so far.  Quirrell (I don't remember 
much about his past, frankly), Lockhart (a celebrity), Lupin 
(werewolf and very good in the classroom), and Moody (famous auror).  
If you're Snape, that's gotta hurt.

True, we don't know if Snape wants the DADA job.  He has been 
resentful toward all of the DADA teachers, particularly Lockhart. 

So I would "rank" the plum teaching positions as follows:

DADA  (half have been big names)
Transfiguration (the two teachers we know about are crack wizards)
Charms (this beats out potions because wizards seem to use charms 
daily, but they only brew potions now and then)
Potions (limited usefulness because you need hours/days/weeks to brew 
it and get the benefits -- use a charm or transfigure and be done 
with it)
Herbology (Sprout hasn't done much useful just yet)
Divination ('nuff said)
Arithmancy/Ancient Runes (what are these, anyway?)
Muggle Studies (muggles get no respect!)
Care of Magical Creatures (an unqualified wizard can teach this one)

Just my quick thoughts.

Cindy, who should be putting a lot more time into Charms