Snape / Karkakoff (was Snape & Gang)

[heathernmoore]

No: HPFGUIDX 31292

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "cindysphynx" <cindysphynx at h...> wrote:
> 
> Susanna wrote:
> 
>  > Interesting point, but I doubt it fits into canon because of the 
> characters' ages: It seems that Snape is more or less the same age as 
> the Marauders and JKR said that he's about 35/36 in GoF. 


Reminder: Lupin explicitly states in POA that Snape and MWPP were all in the same Year.



> > 
> > Karkaroff is described as middle-aged (grey hair and beard), so I'd 
> say he's in his fifties. 
> 
> It is hard to tell how old Karkaroff might really be.  The 
> description in GoF is that he has sleek silver hair, like his furs.  
> He is tall and thin like Dumbledore, but his white hair was short.  
> 
> Maybe Karkaroff is about 10-12 years older than Snape and therefore 
> was not a classmate.  But . . . wait for it . . .  maybe Karkaroff 
> used to be a Hogwarts teacher and head of Slytherin house. When 
> Karkaroff arrives, he gives a friendly greeting to Dumbledore and 
> says, "Dear old Hogwarts . . . How good it is to be here, how good."  
> (Note that Madam Maxime is friendly to Dumbledore, but doesn't say 
> anything like "Dear old Hogwarts.")  This suggests he is familiar 
> with the place, perhaps having worked there and developed a 
> relationship with Snape.
> 
> The relationship between Snape and Karkaroff gets interesting if 
> Karkaroff used to be Snape's Head of House.  In GoF, Karkaroff 
> behaves kind of like Snape's subordinate, whom Snape is avoiding.  I 
> don't know if that depiction of the relationship makes sense if Snape 
> used to be Karkaroff's student.  
> 

It could, it could. Canon has not ruled this out.

Consider:

 Karkakoff does not appear to realize that outsiders are aware that LV is again on the ascendant. 

He doesn't know which way Snape, the other turncoat, is going to jump with Voldemort's return. He probably isn't sure whether Snape bears a grudge against him for trying to buy clemency though fingering Snape.

He *does* know that Snape has remained in Dumbledore's good graces, where by contrast he has himself gone off and affiliated with an entire school that has a Dark reputation. 

This probably-bad decision gets even more thunderously interesting if Karkakoff did have the old Head of House position **and used it to recruit students - including Snape - into Voldemort's ranks.** 

As far as Karkakoff can tell, Snape is in a stronger position should Voldemort discover his betrayal. Karkakoff appears to feel isolated and panicky (and who wouldn't?). I could see him approaching Snape with his cap in his hands, so to speak - and Snape's horrified reaction to being approached by his toxic old mentor.


It would also work if Karkakoff has definite ambitions to jump back in, and fakes humility in order to suss out whether he can hand Snape over to LV as his own ticket to "redemption." (Hey, why not recycle a good plan?)

> 
> Cindy   


  PS -- Cindy, I must say that you're sounding a mite less scornful of Snape these days!