CHAPTER DISCUSSION PS/SS 8, THE POTIONS MASTER

[jelly92784]

No: HPFGUIDX 188227

1. Harry's Astronomy class is mentioned here for the first and last time before the Astronomy OWL in OoP. Why do you think that the class takes place so late despite the rule that no students should be in the corridors after hours? Do you think that all of the first-years have Astronomy together or is this class another attended by Gryffindors only? Do all the Astronomy classes take place at midnight, and, if so, how does Professor Sinistra fit seven (or more) midnight classes into her schedule?

Janelle:
I do think that it's weird that the first years have class at midnight- especially in the middle of the week.  I would think they would give earlier times, maybe 9 or 10 depending on the time of year to the first years and reserve later times for older students.  As far as who's in the class with the Gryffindors- touching on a question below, maybe the Ravenclaws are in this class with them.

2. Harry takes five core subjects—Herbology, Potions, Charms, Transfiguration, and Defense Against the Dark Arts, along with History of Magic and Astronomy. What do you think of this set of classes for a group of eleven-year-old novice witches and wizards? Which class (setting aside the instructors since we barely glimpse any of them except Snape) would be your favorite and why?

Janelle:
I do sometimes wonder about other "muggle" subjects, like english and math, but as someone else pointed out, the students are expected to write a lot of essays so their writing is probably pretty good by the time they graduate.  I think I would probably enjoy Potions and Charms the most!

3. Why do you think that Quirrell's turban and classroom smell like garlic? Did his blushing and confusion when Seamus asked him about fighting off the zombie arouse your suspicion? What was your initial reaction when Quirrell rescued Harry and Ron from detention with Filch for trying to get through the forbidden door?

Janelle:
I guess I didn't think too much about any of this Quirrell stuff.  I took the garlic at face value and thought he would just be a quirky guy around school...


4. Harry's first Potions class is on a Friday, "Double Potions with the Slytherins." Does Potions class meet only once a week for a double period or might there be some other reason for having the first class so late in the week? Why do you think that the Gryffindors have two classes (Potions and the not-yet-scheduled flying lessons) with the Slytherins, one class (Herbology) with the Hufflepuffs, and none with the Ravenclaws?

Janelle:
I can see potions just being once a week if it's an extra long session.  I do think it's weird that the Gryffindors would have classes with Slytherin and Hufflepuff, but not Ravenclaw.  So, as I said above, maybe they have astronomy with the Ravenclaws.

5. Snape asks Harry where he might find a bezoar, what he would get if he added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood, and what the difference is between monkshood and wolfsbane? Why do you think that Snape asked those particular questions? Do you think that he asks the same questions to every class or that he chose them specifically for Harry?

Janelle:
I second what someone said about the questions themselves not being too important, more just that Snape wanted to take Harry down a peg or two just in case he was starting to get a big head.

6. When Snape asks Harry about the bezoar, Harry wonders whether Snape expects him to have memorized every word of "One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi." But the Potions text mentioned in "Diagon Alley" is "Magical Drafts and Potions" by Arsenius Jigger. "One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi" is almost certainly the Herbology text. How do you explain this apparent error on JKR's part?

Janelle:
I don't know that this is necessarily an error- maybe One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi is used for both Potions and Herbology.

7. Just for fun, why do you think that Snape (and, later, Slughorn) is referred to by the old-fashioned title "Potions master" when no other teacher (except the headmaster or headmistress) is called by a similar title? Why not "Potions teacher" for Snape and "Charms master" for Flitwick, for example?

Janelle:
I think that Snape has that title because he is so good at Potions.  Maybe he did do extra study in that area and earned the title, or maybe he just took it on himself.  I do think that he deserves it, since he clearly is an expert potions maker.

8.  Why is the castle off limits to students after hours? 

Janelle: I think it's more about the students needing to be in bed than anything about the castle being dangerous.  It's just a rule to keep things structured.

9.  Why did none of the staff suspect anything about Quirrell? 

Janelle: Well, we know that Snape, at least, suspected Quirrell and spent most of the year working against him.  I can't remember whether or not we know for sure what Dumbledore knew, but I'm sure he knew what was going on, too.  As for the rest of the staff- I guess they just swallowed the same story we did (Quirrell being different as a result of his travels)

10.  Why didn't Hagrid meet Harry's eyes at the end?

Janelle: Hagrid must know that Snape and James never liked each other and he probably just assumes that Snape doesn't like Harry because of James, but he probably didn't want to get into it with Harry.