Snape's Skill at Potions and Curses (WAS Snape's Childhood//Royals/R&D)

[cindysphynx]

No: HPFGUIDX 33560

Judy wrote:

> I think Sirius says that Snape "knew more curses when he arrived at 
> school than half the 7th years." That is additional evidence that 
> Snape came from a magical family, but it's not proof by itself.  
> Hermione is muggle-born, and she knew a lot of magic before coming 
to 
> school, from her spellbooks.  It's possible that after he was 
accepted 
> at Hogwarts, Snape spent the summer learning curses.  

It's possible that Snape spent the summer learning curses, but I 
doubt it.  In PS/SS, Harry sees a book of curses, and Hagrid 
says "An' anyway, yeh couldn't work any of them curses yet, yeh'll 
need a lot more study before yeh get ter that level."  That suggests 
that Snape has been working on learning curses for quite some time 
before he goes off to Hogwarts.




Judy again:

>Maybe for literary 
> reasons, JKR will make potions required for all 7 years. 

Oh, I think so.  So far as the teachers know, Harry and the gang 
haven't accomplished anything with a potion yet.  I would think we'll 
see them learn to brew important potions and use them in upcoming 
stories.


Judy again:

> I've long suspected that Snape came up with Wolfbane potion.  The 
> timing is right (it became available after Snape finished school) 
and 
> Snape is presumably one of the top potions experts in England (and 
> England would be a center of werewolf research -- London has that 
big 
> werewolf problem!)  Also, having Lupin is his debt is exactly the 
sort 
> of thing Snape would want.  Plus, I find it interesting that Lupin 
> says "Professor Snape has kindly concocted" Wolfbane Potion for 
him.  
> As my dictionary notes, concocted can mean "mixed together", but it 
> can also mean "invented."  (If Snape didn't invent the potion, 
Lupin 
> could have just described him as *brewing* the potion.) 

How interesting!  Boy, this is a tough one.  I can't imagine Snape 
setting out to discover a werewolf potion given his apparent dislike 
of werewolves.  Perhaps he discovered it accidently?  If so, how 
would he test it?  Would he ask Lupin to volunteer?  I can't imagine 
one could make a great deal of money off of such a potion, as the 
target market consists of werewolves who can't find paid work.

Judy again:

> By the way, thanks to everyone who supported me on the "Women in 
the 
> Potterverse" debate. {Especially Sirius, who said my posts were 
> excellent and made my day!)  

I agree with Sirius, and I enjoyed them very much!

Cindy (still not convinced that Snape is some Master Potions Brewer)