OWLs, NEWTs, and Aurors (was: Hogwarts Homework ...)

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 114998


--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "finwitch" <finwitch at y...> wrote:

> ...edited...
> 
> Ron hopes to be an Auror - will he? (considering you need NEWT in
> potions, and in order to be in class, he must get O in his OWL) No
> idea what Ginny plans to do once she leaves Hogwarts, or Hermione
> for that matter...
> 
> Finwitch


boyminn:

I'm going to make a complete change in subject to make a point I've
made several times before. People are making what I consider unfounded
assumptions about what is required to become an Auror. They are fair
assumptions, but I think they read more into McGonagall's statements
in the Career Advice meeting than was actually there.

McGonagall initially states the requirments, then goes on to give the
most reasonable and logical application of those requirements. The
requirements are a minimum of 5 NEWTs of at least "E"-level. Then she
gives Harry a list of classes that would most likely benefit an Auror
on his job and enhance his chances of getting the job. These are not
absolutely etched in stone. 

The classes she mentions are Charms and Transfigurations which are
core classes taken for your entire school career that everyone is
expected to master. Then Harry mention with equal logic and reason,
DADA, and finally McGonagall, much to Harry's dismay, mentions
Potions. The fifth NEWT is never mention due to Umbridge's interuption.

So, Potions is not mandatory, it's just a reasonable, logical, and
beneficial course for an Auror to take. I speculate that a potential
Auror who has proven outstanding skills in other areas could get by
with Herbology as a substitute for Potions; an 'O' in DADA (OWL &
NEWT), an 'E' in OWL Potions, and an 'E' or 'O' in OWL and NEWT
Herbology. 

Charms and Transfigurations are a given as they seem to be at the core
of all magic. Certainly and most logically, you want an Auror who has
demonstrated knowledge and skill in Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Potions seems a reasonable and logical area of knowledge, but as I
(somewhat) demonstrated in the paragraph above, it is possible for a
student to show that they have a fair working knowledge of poisons and
antidotes without an 'E'-level NEWT in Potions.

Beyond the three core classes (Charms, Transfigurations, and DADA), I
think the remaining two are up for grabs as long as the combination
combined with personal talent, skill, and experience establishes to
the commitee that selects Auror candidates that you have a cross
section of skills and knowledge that would allow you to become an
effective Auror. 

I would speculate that one of the five could be Divination, if and
only if, you could establish that you were truly gifted at it. Being
psychic would allow you to foresee the actions of an opponent and
anticipate his movements. In addition, it would probably contribute to
you being an outstanding Dueler. 

It seems only reasonable that the Auror Selection Commitee would take
a look at a candiates special talents and proven skills as well as his
list of academic qualifications. 

Therefore, I can only conclude that NEWT Potions is NOT a requirement
to become an Auror, just a generally valuable area of expertise, an
area of expertise that I think can be demonstrated without NEWT Potions.

Remember, you heard it here first.

Steve/bboyminn (was bboy_mn)