Nitpicky Snapethoughts

[Amy Z]

No: HPFGUIDX 15184

Doreen wrote:

>If legend & myths are correct, Snape can not be a vampire, as he saw 
his
>reflection during the Barty Crouch Jr. scene in Moody's office. 

It's not exactly a reflection--it's a frozen image in a Foe-Glass.  
JKR invented that (I think) so if she wants it to be able to show 
vampires, it will.  (And Moody wouldn't have anything less than a 
top-of-the-line Foe-Glass, would he? <g>)

Amanda wrote:

>So the conclusion is that at some point in the intervening year,
>Dumbledore filled Snape in on the truth of events. Snape was probably
>not happy about it, but he clearly believed Dumbledore, judging from 
his
>[Snape's] reaction in GoF. Contrast it with Molly Weasley's, who has 
no
>idea that Sirius is innocent, and it is clear that Snape knows the
>truth.

Hmmm...I have a different take on this.  It is possible, but not 
clear fact, IMO, that Snape knew.  I think it's likely that Snape 
didn't take seriously the contention that Sirius was innocent until 
the moment Sirius transfigured in GoF.

IIRC, Snape and Fudge already know Sirius's version of events from 
Dumbledore at the end of PoA.  So Snape has heard it twice:  in the 
Shack and from Dumbledore.  He doesn't believe it, naturally; SB and 
RL are lying, the kids are Confunded, and Dumbledore's too trusting 
for his own good.

And so things stand through GoF.  Dumbledore might or might not tell a 
couple of people (e.g. McGonagall) the truth about Sirius.  He does 
tell the staff something that lets them know that Harry can safely 
leave the grounds, even though a dangerous lunatic Death Eater who 
wants to finish off the Potters is still on the loose (I figure he 
told them he's put some kind of protection around Harry that no one 
else knows how to do--he IS the best wizard in the world, after all). 
 Since Sirius is still Public Enemy #1, it seems clear that the 
Hogwarts staff (again, with a possible exception or two) still thinks 
he's guilty--otherwise rumors would be sure to leak back to the MOM.  

So why, you ask, doesn't Snape react like Molly?  'Cause he's Severus 
Snape.  He doesn't show surprise easily, even when he's feeling it.  
He would never do something so unsanguine as yelp at the sight of 
Sirius Black.

He =is= startled to see him, which could mean (a) That nutter who 
wants to kill Harry is here in the hospital by his bedside?  Oh man, 
that whole thing again--don't tell me Dumble really thinks he's 
innocent, or just (b) Sirius Black is an Animagus?!  It could, of 
course, mean both.

BTW, I wonder what Snape thinks of the interaction between Sirius and 
Harry?  It's clear that somehow in the past year, they've come to know 
and care for each other.  His mind must be blown. 

Amy Z

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   "Dumbledore, you know what that woman is?"
   "I consider her to be a very able Headmistress--
 and an excellent dancer," said Dumbledore quietly.
                       -HP and the Goblet of Fire
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