[HPforGrownups] Snape as Head of Slytherin

[E S]

No: HPFGUIDX 30620


Littlered32773 at yahoo.com wrote:

>Does anyone find it odd that someone as young as Snape (early to mid
>30's according to interviews with JK, and the fact that he went to
>school with James), could be Head of Slytherin House?  It seems that
>the other HoH's are much older.  We know McGonagall is in her 70's
>(again interviews) and I don't see Sprout and Flitwick as much
>younger.  Given this, and Snape's  murkey past (yes, yes, Dumbledore
>vouched for him, but he WAS involved with Voldy as far as we know),
>doesn't it seem odd that he would be a HoH?

I get the feeling that Snape started teaching at Hogwarts fairly soon after 
Voldemort's downfall and I think it was the very fact that he had once been 
a Death Eater but had *turned back* that prompted Dumbledore to give him the 
job.  History has shown that Slytherin produces more dark wizards than any 
other house.  Not because the students are necessarily evil, just because 
the prominent features of their personalities are ambition, cunning and a 
love of power.  Who better then to guide the young Slytherins through a very 
vulnerable time than one who has walked the path of darkness but found his 
way back to the light?

I know many people have questioned Snape's treatment of the Slytherins and 
wondered why he favours them if he is truly on Dumbledore's side, but I 
think what he does is actually very clever.  The students in his house trust 
him, like him and respect him.  He has a lot of influence over them.  Take 
Draco for example: from what we have seen, Draco is shaping up to be Lucius 
II.  He is open about his detestation of muggles and mudbloods and has no 
qualms about publicly declaring his support for Voldemort.  But Draco is 
also only 14 years old and as such is still under the heavy influence of his 
father.  The time may yet come when he has to make the choice, as Dumbledore 
said, between what is right and what is easy.  With Snape around, as a 
trusted and respected authority figure, it could help him make the right 
choice.

Emily (who believes Snape is really a sweetheart and that there is hope for 
Draco yet!)

"I just met a wonderful new man. He's fictional, but you can't have 
everything." ~ The Purple Rose of Cairo



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