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

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 119496


Neri wrote:
> > After Nora found a textbook example that Snape might not be such 
> > an expert in DADA as he is cracked up to be, I had a REALLY 
> > strange thought: Why do we all assume that Snape is such a wiz in 
> > Potions?  I've raked my brains, and as far as I can remember the 
> > only canon source for that is Lupin, who tells Harry in PoA that 
> > the Wolfbane Potion is very complex and very few potion masters 
> > are up to it. Can someone corroborate Snape's expertise from a 
> > different source?


Potioncat:
> Brace yourself, Neri... I think you have a good point.  
> 
> Snape is a Potions Master which  translated into modern American 
> English is a Potions teacher. It does not correspond to Master 
> Carpenter or some such. The title alone does not mean he is far 
> more talented than the standard wizard. Although one would always 
> hope that a teacher knows more about his/her topic than the 
> standard individual does.
 

SSSusan:
Brace *your*self, Potioncat, for you're agreeing w/ Neri and I'm 
disagreeing with you!  (Actually, I'm not disagreeing w/ your 
assessment of Snape's skills, but only w/ the term "master.")

I think Potions *Master* IS an important term to take into 
consideration when evaluating Snape's abilities.  We don't hear 
anyone refer to Flitwick as the Charms Master, nor McGonagall as the 
Transfiguration Master.  Now, I can't speak to whether "Master" would 
be a both-gender appellation, but we do have the example of 
Flitwick.  He's always teacher or professor; not master.  Don't you 
think we're *meant* to take from that information that Snape *is* 
considered an expert?

Siriusly Snapey Susan, who doesn't believe Snape is a master 
*teacher* but does believe he's a master potions maker.