Newbie - Teachers - Snape

[Sarah Waggott]

No: HPFGUIDX 12178

Hi, first time poster here. Apologies if these topics have been 
discussed before, I have been skulking for a while and haven't seen 
them. 

First a question, possibly a wierd one but here goes: does anyone 
know where the teachers go during the holidays? I have seen a few 
posts (maybe on another site) suggesting that Snape is at Hogwarts 
under the protection of Dumbledore. However if the teachers leave 
Hogwarts for the holidays, won't that leave poor Snape a little 
unprotected? If some teachers stay at Hogwarts, what is the reason 
for Harry having to spend the summer with the Dursleys?

Secondly, someone mentioned that Snape was called the "potions 
master". While I agree that this could imply that he is a male 
teacher or that he is master of his art, could there be another 
reason? I could be mistaken, but Snape is not always referred to 
as "Professor Snape" like many other staff members. Quite often he is 
called just "Snape". At first I thought this was just disrespectful 
students, but JKR does this too. This puts Snape with Dumbledore and 
Hagrid as having no *titles*. Is this a link we should make, or am I 
imagining things? However (I am contradicting myself here) in SS/PS 
Dumbledore corrects Harry in the hospital bay:
Harry: "...Snape"
Dumbledore: "Professor Snape, Harry."
Harry: "Yeah him..."
Like I said, I could be imagining things, but does anyone else have 
any ideas?

Sarah