In Defense of Snape (long)

[pippin_999]

No: HPFGUIDX 122322


--
> Alla:
> 
> If they performed well, they performed well, because Snape 
was absent in OWL class.
> "With Snape absent from the proceedings he found that he 
was much more relaxed than he usually was while making 
potions. Neville, who was sitting very near Harry, also looked 
happier than Harry had ever seen him during a Potions class" - 
OOP, p.716.
> 
> How does it make Snape a good teacher, if his only presense 
> terrorises the studentts so much that they are unable to reach 
their  potential?<

> 
Pippin:

It depends on what you think the goal of the class is. If you think 
it's to give the kids fond memories of Snape, or fond feelings 
about potion-making, then Snape is a failure. 

If the goal is to make sure that nobody, ever, for the rest of their 
lives,  goes near a cauldron unless they are 150% confident in 
what they are doing, then Snape is good. Considering that 
botched potions can kill or permanently incapacitate people, and 
that the differences are often subtle, I can thoroughly understand 
Snape's attitude. 

Harry can't figure out why Snape zapped his grey-colored potion 
in the first OOP class. After all it looked almost the same as 
Hermione's silver one. But Snape told them all at the beginning 
of class that an improperly made Draught of Peace would put the 
drinker in a permanent stupor. Not something to leave around, 
and far more deserving of a zero  than a vial that no one would 
drink because it was obviously wrong.

Pippin