Raven or vampire?

[Sarah Waggott]

No: HPFGUIDX 15145

Hi! Sorry if this topic has been discussed to death already, I 
trawled the archives for a long while and found no evidence of any 
similar posts.

A while ago a debate raged as to whether Snape is a vampire or an 
animagus. I have never seen him as a vampire; yes he is pale, he 
wears black a lot, but so do goths and many other people. I do 
however like the idea that he is an animagus and turns into a raven. 
While looking up a crossword clue the other day, I came across an 
article in the encyclopedia about ravens and found a few similarities 
to the Potions Master. Probably no more trustworthy than the evidence 
for him being a vampire, but see what you think.
  
  1. Both have black beady eyes.

  2. Snape has a long hooked nose, ravens have heavy hooked bills.

  3. Ravens are entirely black, as I mentioned before Snape dresses 
in black (though this could still be nothing more than personal 
choice).

  4. Ravens eat carrion (dead flesh), Snape was a death eater. (Yes 
this link is *very* weak, but still a possibility. A slim one).

Snape being a raven would fit in with the fact he manages to travel 
very quickly to some places as he could fly there. It could also be a 
possible explanation for his appearances at crucial moments with 
Dumbledore and McGonagall ~ Animagi are rare (I think) so two in the 
school would be likely to stay close to each other and the 
headteacher. 

It could also be a factor in Snape's hatred of the Marauders. If 
becoming an Animagus is hard work, I would imagine it would be nice 
to feel part of a very select group. Imagine the shock when it turns 
out that not only have others in the school completed the training, 
they just happen to be your worst enemies, the ones you like to feel 
superior to. It could also be a reason why Snape didn't push for 
their expulsion; he may have found respect for them. Not the kind of 
respect Harry has for Dumbledore or anything, more like that nagging 
little voice that says: "Maybe they're not so bad after all..."

I think I have exhausted my brain trying to find evidence to back up 
my theory but I would be interested to know what others think. If 
this has been discussed before, I would be interested to know roughly 
when so I could read the posts :)

Sarah 
(who really must try harder to post more often.)