Fields of Magic (was Re: Potions Master Question)

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 93937

>>> severe snipping of Carol's and Neri's posts, with regrets<<<<

 Neri wrote: 
> 3. Power. Fields that require the wizard to be more powerful are 
> likely to be more distinguished. It seems Potions and Herbology 
> require very little power (in fact, I can't see why a muggle or a 
> squib won't be able to brew many of these potions). OTOH 
> Transfiguration seems to require a lot of magical power.

Potioncat:
I think you've made a common mistake here.  If power wasn't 
important Lupin could make his own wolfsbane potion, and the course 
would be easier to learn. (I'm not saying he isn't powerful in other 
areas of magic.)  Just because there is no wand waving or 
incantations doesn't mean there is no power.  I think a Muggle could 
follow the directions and get no more than a disgusting mess.


Neri: 
> 4. Tradition. Some fields are distinguished just because they were 
> practiced for many years by famous and learned people. Potions 
seems  to have rather humble origins (it is basically cooking). 
> Transfiguration is traditionally considered the mark of the 
greatest wizards.

Potioncat:
Which tradition?  DD is listed as being great for three things and 
none of them were transfigurations. (Wizard cards as mentioned in 
original post of this thread.) 
 
>>more snipping<<

Neri: 
> In addition to the above, we also have the clues I've already 
> mentioned: The headmaster and his deputy were/are Transfiguration 
> teachers, and Snape would much rather be the DADA teacher than the 
> Potions Master. This is not conclusive canon, only my impression, 
but 
> I think the order of status (again, not the order of actual 
> importance, which is something else) is approximately:
> Transfiguration > DADA > Charms > Potions and Herbology > other 
> subjects.
> 
> Just an opinion (I thought shipping was the touchy subject:-)

Potioncat:
Currently the staff with the most status are the Deputy Headmistress 
and the Potions Master.  The Potions Master seems to have more clout 
than either Charms (who has more tenure) and Herbology (I think we 
know she is older, but I don't recall the canon source)

I don't think it was McGonagall's years of teaching transfigurations 
that earned her the position of deputy, but rather her own power as 
a witch and her associated skills.


Shipping? I wouldn't dare go there! :-)

Neri, I've had a lot of fun responding to these ideas. Actually I 
spent a lot of time this morning replying to each of the points in 
this post.  However, I seem to have some sort of dark critter in my 
computer and my well written, well thought out post vanished! 
Unfortunatly I don't have the time to regenerate it (OK, everyone, 
stop cheering!) but I have found this thread very thought provoking!

Does anyone have some extra doxie spray?

Potioncat