Character Sketch: Severus Snape

[msl at fc.net]

No: HPFGUIDX 12242

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "Neil Ward" <neilward at d...> wrote:

> 
> QUESTIONS/COMMENTS
> 
> (1) How does Snape really feel about Igor Karkaroff?  He seems to 
> pity him, but he is also angry at him (he did betray him in the 
> courtroom - did Snape know this?) .

I believe that Snape thinks Karkaroff is a morally weak,
intellectually dishonest punk-ass chump and loser.  Karkaroff is too
cowardly to stand up for his beliefs and for Voldemort but also too
intellectually dishonest to admit that his beliefs were actually wrong
and convert wholeheartedly to the side of the good guys; his courtroom
conversion was nothing but a ploy to save his own skin.  Only a sense
of professional courtesy prevents Snape from hitting Karkaroff with a
Perma-Wedgie jinx and kicking his butt up and down the halls of
Hotwarts.

> (2) Does Lucius Malfoy have Snape's ear . . . or another part of his
body?

As a the most prominent alumnus of Slytherin save Voldemort, Lucius
Malfoy has a deep influence on Snape's outward behavior, which I think
is calculated to convince Malfoy and other exonerated Death Eaters
that Snape might still be loyal to the principles behind their cause.

> (3) What is Snape's task and why does Dumbledore have such a hold on
him?

I think Snape is grateful for AD's trust.  Moreover, I think that he
recognizes in AD a genuinely kind but also genuinely shrewd man, so AD
has Snape's admiration and respect.  (And his leash, the leather one
with little heart-shaped metal studs.)

> (9) What else is in store for Snape in Book 5 - anyone care to
predict?

Snape will infiltrate the Death Eaters; he will be exposed; he will
receive the dementor's kiss once the dementors have gone over to
Voldemort.  Voldemort will keep Snape soulless husk of a body around
for his amusement.

marvin