Mastery, it depends on the field. Usually some combination of demonstrating skill and knowledge, some kind of independent research, and then a lot of convincing existing Masters in the field not to laugh you out of the room.
More complicated in this case, because there's neither an academic body for the Dark Arts here, nor a guild of any kind, but his word about her skill would do her a lot of good, obviously.
The good news is that preparing for that kind of thing is enormously time-consuming. And in very different ways than just being busy at work in the ordinary course of a job. (Working toward mine was - very all-involving, but I won't bore you with details.)
As to what it's for, well, recognition (when people could travel, that mattered a lot more, mind.) Certain rights and privileges and obligations (mine are more formal, because of the Guild, but I could - should - take an apprentice, and there are ways it gives a framework for interactions with other people in the field.)
Plus, of course, for people who really love whatever field it is, getting to spend time doing that intensively while you're training.
no subject
Mastery, it depends on the field. Usually some combination of demonstrating skill and knowledge, some kind of independent research, and then a lot of convincing existing Masters in the field not to laugh you out of the room.
More complicated in this case, because there's neither an academic body for the Dark Arts here, nor a guild of any kind, but his word about her skill would do her a lot of good, obviously.
The good news is that preparing for that kind of thing is enormously time-consuming. And in very different ways than just being busy at work in the ordinary course of a job. (Working toward mine was - very all-involving, but I won't bore you with details.)
As to what it's for, well, recognition (when people could travel, that mattered a lot more, mind.) Certain rights and privileges and obligations (mine are more formal, because of the Guild, but I could - should - take an apprentice, and there are ways it gives a framework for interactions with other people in the field.)
Plus, of course, for people who really love whatever field it is, getting to spend time doing that intensively while you're training.