Is Snape really THAT good in Potions?(was: Snape and the Kappa)

[finwitch]

No: HPFGUIDX 119426


Potioncat:
 
> Now, what exactly is Snape's reputation with this HPfGU?  He is a 
> highly competent potion maker, possessing a skill above the standard 
> wizard, and perhaps more highly skilled than those who make potions 
> for a living. Sound about right? How far above that level is 
> anyone's guess.  And while we don't have a second quote on it, I 
> think we've been shown enough to accept it.

Finwitch:

Yes well - let's see.

PS: First class, the potion-speech. Also, he does question Harry about
the bezoar, ingredients, and Draught of the Living Death. Apparently,
he does know his stuff, or Hermione who memorized the textbooks, would
have contradicted it - at least after the class.

Later, Snape made that riddle, with Potions. Since this was a *Secret*
method, I believe he made those potions himself. 

CoS: Hermione says Snape told them of the polyjuice potion and the
book with the recipe - in passing.

It is well possible that Snape brews the Skele-Gro (and other potions)
for Madam Pomfrey, as I doubt she has time for that, really -- she
needs to be on call, you know...

PoA: Wolfsbane. Lupin's testimony that Snape brews it for him.

GoF: Hmm-mm. Poisoning students to test their antidotes? Does
Dumbledore know of it? And if he does, he'd permit this only if he
really trusts that Snape had the skill for those himself. And
Dumbledore asks him for *his* strongest truth serum.

OOP: Well... apparently Umbridge trusts his skills enough to ask for
the veritaserum.

Oh and - incompetent teachers - (Lockhart, Umbridge) DO get criticized
by the staff. Pomfrey doesn't approve of Lockhart, and EVERYONE is
against Umbridge. None of them questions Snape's ability to brew a
potion. I doubt that McGonagall would have the respect she has for
Snape unless he did know his potions...

I'd say that SS knows his potions. He'd need some lessons on teaching,
though...

Finwitch