PoA Chapter Summary: Chapter 7

[catherine at cator-manor.demon.co.uk]

No: HPFGUIDX 18822

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., foxmoth at q... wrote:
> --- In HPforGrownups at y..., dragonsbloodmoon at a... wrote:
> 
> > 6.  Why is Neville so terrified of Snape?
> > 
> > I'm sure his Granny told him that Snape was a Death Eater (this 
is just a gut 
> > feeling; I think she's bitter about having to raise Neville who's 
a "shame" 
> > to their family). Even if she didn't, the children have all 
gossiped about 
> > Snape, and I'm sure he's heard it. 
> 
> 	It's possilbe that Granny knows, and maybe she told Neville, 
but I 
> doubt it. I think if that were the case, Granny would never have 
sent 
> Neville to Hogwarts (he could have gone to Beauxbatons).
> 	 I don't think Snape's past is common knowledge despite the 
> courtroom scene in the Pensieve. Sirius doesn't know about it, for 
one 
> thing. I  have a feeling that that portion of the trials was 
covered by 
> the magical equivalent of an Official Secrets Act, and everyone 
present 
> had to agree to some sort of silencing charm or magical oath. 
Letting 
> Harry look in the Pensieve would have been a way for Dumbledore to 
get 
> around that.
> 	 As for gossip about Snape, why would Neville have heard it 
> if Harry, Ron and Hermione haven't?
> Pippin

You are quite right - the only thing I take exception to is the idea 
that Neville could have gone to Beauxbatons.  Can you imagine him 
trying to learn French, well enough to study all his subjects in it?  
I can't!

Catherine