Snape as DADA, new Potions teacher? (was Re: It's Libatius)

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 126165


catkind:   
> > With a new Potions teacher Harry would be allowed into NEWT 
> > level and we could find out if he is actually any good at the
> > subject.  If Snape's still teaching Potions, it's going to take
> > major corruption to get Harry into the NEWT class.

angelicfront5:
> I hadn't thought about the NEWT Potions class but you are right. In 
> order for Harry to get into that level of a potions class he will 
> require having a new teacher. 


SSSusan:
I'm not convinced a new Potions teacher would be necessary in order 
for Harry to be in the NEWT-level class, though I used to think so.  

Several people (Caius? Carol?) have discussed this here & elsewhere, 
and the point has been made that the *only* requirement for getting 
into NEWT-level Potions appears to be getting a high enough score on 
the OWL exam.  IOW, that whole history between Harry & Snape -- all 
those messed up Potions, points docked, zeros -- will mean *nothing* 
towards Harry getting into NEWT-level Potions class.  

We know that Snape worked on the students from the beginning of 5th 
year, telling them what standards he expected, chastizing most of 
them for not being anywhere near those standards.  Here is what Snape 
said in the first lesson of 5th year:

*********************
'Before we begin today's lesson', said Snape, sweeping over to his 
desk and staring around at them all, 'I think it appropriate to 
remind you that next June you will be sitting an important 
examination, during which you will prove how much you have learned 
about the composition and use of magical potions. Moronic though some 
of this class undoubtedly are, I expect you to scrape an "Acceptable" 
in your OWL, or suffer my... displeasure.'

His gaze lingered this time on Neville, who gulped.

'After this year, of course, many of you will cease studying with 
me', Snape went on. 'I take only the very best into my NEWT Potions 
class, which means that some of us will certainly be saying goodbye.'

His eyes rested on Harry and his lip curled. Harry glared back, 
feeling a grim pleasure at the idea that he would be able to give up 
Potions after fifth year.

'But we have another year to go before that happy moment of 
farewell', said Snape softly, 'so, whether or not you are intending 
to attempt NEWT, I advise all of you to concentrate your efforts upon 
maintaining the high pass level I have come to expect from my OWL 
students.'" [OoP, ch. 12]

***********************

We also have this information from McGonagall:  'And I must tell you 
that Professor Snape absolutely refuses to take students who get 
anything other than "Outstanding" in their OWLs, so-' [OoP, chapter 
29]


But Snape doesn't grade the OWL exam.  He, presumably, accepts the 
grades given to him by the examiners.  We know Harry thought he 
actually might have passed, and given Harry's confidence level about 
Potions & the exams in general, that might very well be an 
*under*estimate of how well he'd actually done.

Also, the standards Snape holds to in his own classroom just might be 
higher than the standards to which the examiners hold students, might 
they not?  If that's the case, then achieving the "O" Snape requires 
might be possible for more students than think they can achieve it.

So we shall see, but I'm not writing off the possibility that Harry 
actually managed to earn admittance into Snape's NEWT-level Potions 
class, though I think JKR would be wise to explain it carefully so it 
doesn't feel like a "major corruption," as catkind suggested.

Siriusly Snapey Susan