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

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 119506


 
> > Casey: 
> > So, diabetic's know how to make their own insulin? I should know 
> how 
> > to make my Prevacid? Even if I had the materials and written 
> > instructions to follow, I don't think I would want to take that 
> > risk. Nope, I leave that job to the Snapes of the world. 
> > 
> > 
> > Alla:
> > 
> > I don't think the analogy with Muggle medicine is quite 
> applicable. 
> > Not every muggle takes pharmacology course, in fact only those 
who 
> > wish to become pharmacists.
> > EVERY wizard takes Potion course in school , so theoretically 
all 
> of 
> > them have to be able to brew some potions.
> >
> 
Casey's next post snipped because I'm trying to do things correctly.

Potioncat:

Now, now.  Have some ginger newts, you're both right. 

In the real world kids get enough chemistry to have an idea of what 
it is.  In the WW, very young kids are making potions that shrink a 
frog into a tadpole.  I can't think of any RW comparison to that. 
Every student leaves Hogwarts knowing how to make certain potions.  
Not every student studies  N.E.W.T. level Potions nor do all of 
those pass the exams.

So most could make a potion to cure warts, not everyone could make 
Wolfsbane.  If Lupin is being honest, perhaps not every N.E.W.T. 
level wizard could make it, even with the instructions.

I have to admit, Pippin has influenced me enough that I wonder if 
Lupin is telling the truth about his own ability at potions.  But we 
don't know if he passed Potion O.W.L.s or if he took the N.E.W.T. 
level Potions class.

Potion*Molly*cat