S. Snape suspected snake speech?

[Florence]

No: HPFGUIDX 16746

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., koinonia02 at y... wrote:
> I disagree.  I think Snape specifically chose a snake to see what 
> Harry would do. Don't you think that would be too much of a 
> coincidence that Snape would chose a snake and then Harry would be 
> able to speak to it?  The look on Snape's face was not one of 
> surprise.  It was a calculating look.  He got the answer he was 
> after.  Now not only does Snape know Harry can speak P. but so does 
> the whole school.  There was a reason why Snape did this.

Snape is a highly intelligent wizard who must have spent many hours 
pondering the whats and whys of the events of the night of the Potter 
massacre.  Dumbledore had construed that Voldemort had tranferred some 
of his powers to Harry, and there's no reason why Snape shoud not have 
as well.  He therefore COULD quite credibly have planned this test for 
Harry. 
I equally think the coincidence theory could be right on evidence 
given.  His reaction might have been much the same if it had just been 
a coincidence ie: no overt displays of surprise, but thinking through 
the possibilities non the less - In fact if it was planned mightn't he 
have looked less thoughtful/calculating as he'd have already thought 
through the implications? I think the choice of a snake isn't so 
much of a surprise for a Slytherin - I've wondered how he knew that 
Draco knew that particular spell - Is it one that all Slytherins 
practise regularly in their common room in the evenings?

Florence