SPOILERS: School Books

[tommy_m_riddle]

No: HPFGUIDX 184242

potioncat wrote:
> The error is that the information Snape gave does not agree with 
the 
> information in the text book "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find 
> Them."

Sarah:
I know, but how are we sure that's an error?  Snape disagreed with 
the book.  He disagreed with some things in Advanced Potions too, and 
his way turned out to be better.

potioncat:
> I'm not sure if Kappas are real and do come from Japan, and the 
issue 
> is that JKR made a mistake by having Snape say it. Or if she always 
> intended for him to be wrong. 

Sarah:
They are a real *myth*  :)  They do come from Japan.  At least in 
Muggle mythology.  I just don't think Snape disagreeing with the book 
is necessarily either his mistake or an authorial mistake.  Snape 
disagreeing with textbooks is a plot point and ongoing 
characterization, and he's been right before.  They could also both 
be right somehow, like maybe Snape believes Kappas were introduced to 
Japan from Mongolia in an invasion or something.

> Potioncat, who doesn't mean that she thinks Kappas are really 
real,  
> and also doesn't know if they are wee beasties or great horrible 
> things.

Sarah:
I think they are kind of small.  They look like monkeys with fish 
scales.  They drink human blood but would prefer cucumbers for some 
reason.  (Thus the cucumber roll, kappamaki, was named in their 
honor.)  They are polite like hippogriffs, to their detriment, 
because their heads are bowl shaped and full of magic strength water 
and when you bow to them they have to bow back, and it all runs out.