Re; CHAPTER DISCUSSION PS/SS 8 THE POTIONS MASTER

[justcarol67]

No: HPFGUIDX 188268

> Steve:
> <HUGE SNIP>
> So, what I'm saying is that Snape has certainly demonstrated 'master' level potions skills.<SNIP>
> 
> Alla:
> 
> I guess I disagree, I do not believe that any sort of exam needed for master position, I think it is just a name, but maybe Brits on the list (including Geoff of course heh) will say otherwise?
 
> zanooda:
> 
> Yes, he said something like "excuse me, I believe *I* am the Potions master at this school" :-). He also called himself "master of this school" when he was trying to make the Marauder's map work in PoA ("Snape's Grudge").
> 
> Alla:
> 
> AHA, yes he did, thanks for reminding me guys!  So that I think does not contradict my speculation, IF in reality it is just a name for the teacher's position, or another name and has nothing to do with skill, Snape is massaging his ego here, since he may have simply said  something along the lines - excuse me I am a potions teacher here.

Carol responds:
Since I asked the question originally, I'll just toss in my own opinion, which is that the Potions teacher, for whatever reason, is traditionally referred to as the Potions master, perhaps because it's of the oldest subjects in the school and dates back to the days when all male teachers were referred to as masters. Slughorn in HBP is also referred to as the Potions master, so even though both of them are highly skilled at their subject (Snape perhaps more so since DD relies on him for potion-making as well as Potions teaching), I think it's merely the job title, and that's why Snape calls himself "master of this school," which no doubt sounds less odd to British ears than it does to others.

The fact that Flitwick is once referred to as the Charms master also suggests that it means "teacher."

With regard to Lockhart, Snape has every reason to point out to him that it's *his* job, not Lockhart's, to make the mandrake restorative potion (as if Lockhart could actually make it, in any case).

Carol, just stating her own view and finding all the replies interesting