[HPforGrownups] CHAPTER DISCUSSION PS/SS 8, THE POTIONS MASTER

[Cassy Ferris]

No: HPFGUIDX 188228

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> Questions for Discussion:
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> 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?
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It is obvious that the Astronomy class, if it includes the actual star
gazing, should be after dark.
since considering that Hogwarts is, as far as we know, pretty far
north, the schedule of Astronomy classes should take into account that
in late spring it will be dark only in late evening, and thus the
class can't be schedules earlier, say at 9 pm. My guess would be that
older students might have classes even later at night, so it is
possible for Professor Sinistra to fit all classes into 1 week. Also,
I think that more advanced students would spend more time studying
theory of space and not just looking at stars, so they can have
classes during the day.

> 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?

I would think that first years should have something like
"Introduction to magic" that would explain the main rules and laws of
magic. I think I'd like Astronomy and Charms and would totally fail at
Transfiguration, which always sounded to me very counterintuitive.

> 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?
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I've always thought that Portions only meet once a week. It makes
sense to have double class and not too separate, so that students can
brew portions that take more time to prepare. As for classes with
Ravenclaws, I, personally, see it just as a "bug" from JKR. She is
clearly not interested in Ravenclaw house up until Cho comes along, so
we don't get to see any students from there. On the other hand,
classes like Charms and Transfiguration might require more individual
attention from the instructor to each of the students, so the houses
have those classes separately.


> 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?
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It seemed to me that Snape chooses the questions randomly, but picks a
victim  in every  first year class he has, to show students how little
they know and how much they have to learn (a motivator, if somewhat
misguided).

> 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?

Since Harry didn't read any of his textbooks, he doesn't have a clear
idea which is for which class. Though it is quite possible that "One
Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi" is equally used in Portions, since
herbs and plants are obviously important parts of many concoctions.

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> 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?

 I consider "Portions master" be some sort of equivalent for Master of
Science - a title showing high qualification of the bearer.