[HPforGrownups] More Snape! She's at it again! AAAAAGH (was Snape as teacher)

[Magda Grantwich]

No: HPFGUIDX 17448

> This is more what I meant for Snape. His autopilot is a mode of
> nastiness, favoring Slytherin, making snotty comments, and having a
> dour outlook. But he doesn't seem all that involved. He seems to be
> doing all of this on a superficial level, without bringing any real
> consideration of the personalities of the students he's interacting

> with. It is only in conversations with Dumbledore, or in the 
> staffroom scene, that he
> seems involved on a less superficial level.

This is very true.  And it is even more obvious in the part of PoA
where he does lose control of his emotions.

No, not the near-hysteria in the Shrieking Shack or the total rage in
the hospital ward after Sirius has escaped.  Rather it comes when
Dumbledore asks him to step out of the room and Snape asks "You
haven't forgotten what he almost did to me?" (or words to that
effect; I don't have the book handy).  

It's a moment of vulnerability - the first we've seen of old Snape. 
Will Dumbledore be swayed by the more likeable Sirius and Harry into
turning against Severus who has a hard time connecting with people
and isn't attractive and rather enjoys swooping around in black
cloaks because it's so, you know, kind of goth-y and cool but who
really, really craves Dumbledore's approval?

And Dumbledore comes through: "My memory is as good as it ever was." 


And only then does Snape leave.

I thought it was quite a touching moment, actually.  No revelation in
GoF came close to it for showing what Snape is like underneath.

I predict that as much as Harry would miss Dumbledore if the old
wizard doesn't survive the series, it would be nothing compared to
Snape's reaction.  Harry has Sirius, the Weasleys and others for
support.  Snape will be shattered.


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