An Unexpected DADA

[Lyda Clunas]

No: HPFGUIDX 16689

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., meboriqua at a... wrote:
>> I just had a thought...  Perhaps Dumbledore will actually give 
Snape the job of professor of DADA.  Maybe the rumors of Snape 
wanting the position are true after all.  Besides, I'm willing to bet 
a few galleons that Snape knows more about the Dark Arts than most 
adults do.  I'd put his knowledge up there with Moody.  Who better to 
teach than someone who really practiced the Dark Arts?  It may not 
happen in OoP, but perhaps in book 6 or 7...<< 

Ah, yes, we Snapefans seem to argue over this point quite a bit. 

First inclination is to assume that Dumbledore does not trust Snape 
enough to let him be the DADA teacher. That Snape has this obsession 
with DA, but Dumbledore is afraid to let him take the job because he 
fears that Snape might be very tempted to return to practicing Dark 
Magic. However, as Sirius mentions to Harry, it doesn't seem that 
Dumbledore would let an ex-DE into the school as a teacher. Unless he 
completely trusted him, as he does Snape. So, if he has complete 
faith in Snape's ability and confidence in his choices, then 
Dumbledore would also be trusting enough to let him have the DADA job 
if he really wanted it. As Moody said, Dumbledore's a trusting man.

Second thought would be that Snape having the position would somehow 
jeopardize his life or his situation as a possible spy for later. 
I've never seen a big ol' dissertation on this theory, and it has a 
few holes, IMO, but it could be true. 

Third thought is that Snape doesn't trust himself enough to take the 
job. He could be worried that he would be tempted back to the Dark 
Side, and therefore refuses the job. I like it. I use this theory in 
fanfiction. I think Severus doesn't want to make any of the mistakes 
he once made as a DE, and although I think he definitely has the will 
power and the honor to resist temptation, I think he just wouldn't 
want to risk it, you know?

Fourth and final thought is that Snape never wanted the DADA job. He 
is a VERY talented Potions maker, and Dumbledore has been using his 
mastery of the art of Potions to attempt to create powerful draughts 
and solutons and such which may help in the battle against Voldemort. 
I lik this idea as well; I still think Snape went back to Voldemort 
spy, though, even if he is working on some brilliant concoctions.

Lyda