Snape as spy; Sirius as godfather; shipping

[Hillman, Lee]

No: HPFGUIDX 29544

Hi, folks!

Samaporn said:
> 
> I have a feeling that the fact that Snape was a double-agent isn't really
a
> secret. It appears he was cleared by a council, either during a trial or
> not, and Dumbledore testified on his behalf. 
> <snip>
> It surprises me, though, that Snape is so fond of Lucius Malfoy's son,
when
> the father was a major supporter of Voldemort. And the former death eaters
> don't seem to be furious at him either. Perhaps it was a well-kept secret
> after all, although I still don't see how that could have happened.
> 

It's possible as well that Snape, in a move of tremendous foresight,
presented his defection to Dumbledore's side to Voldemort before going over,
in such a way as to make it appear to be a trick. Voldemort would have
wanted a source of information as badly as Dumbledore did; he may have
really enjoyed the irony of sending the old fool a "spy" who would really be
an agent of evil. Voldy didn't need to know that Snape was really serious
about defecting; only Dumbledore did. That way, when Dumbledore announced to
the world that Severus was spying for the good side, none of the DE's would
have been surprised--they'd have "known" that it was all with Voldemort's
approval.

It's what I would have done, had I been in Snape's position and had the
opportunity.


A few words on Sirius as godfather:

I think Hagrid's refusal to give Harry to Sirius must have been a clue for
him. He tells Hagrid that he's Harry's godfather, evidently believing this
is enough justification to be granted his request. But Hagrid says no. It is
at that point that Sirius tells him to take the bike, that he won't need it
any more. Knowing that Dumbledore believed him the secret keeper, and
knowing that Dumbledore evidently told Hagrid not to give Harry up to
anyone, including Sirius, and knowing that it was Peter, Sirius must have
begun to understand, even through his shock, that there's something terribly
wrong here. I believe that when Hagrid refuses to give him Harry, Sirius
jumps to the conclusion that he MUST find Peter as quickly as possible to
set the record straight. 


And lastly, I'll go ahead and wade into the shrieking eel-infested waters of
shipping:

I believe that Hermione has some feeling for both boys. I think her
interaction with Ron, particularly her frustration when he doesn't perform
up to her par on either academic issues or questions of their
mystery-solving, is indicative of a desire to see Ron be something he isn't.
Or at least, isn't yet. I think her anger at him and her hurt reactions to
his teasing (especially about Viktor) are clues that she does Like him, but
is perhaps waiting for him to grow up and realize it. And personally, I
believe it would be a disaster if they did get together. Hermione is doing
something that, unfortunately, many intelligent, otherwise sensible young
(and not so young) women do: banking on potential, not reality.

At the same time, I think she also may have some feeling for Harry. I can
readily see the possibility that she appreciates his flexible mind, and his
gentle manner. But Harry too has some growing up to do before he's ready to
think about girls--or at least, Hermione--in that way. I think it's clear
from his conversation with Viktor that while he can see past the end of his
nose, he has never considered Hermione romantically at all. 

And as I've said before, I'm not certain anything will come of either of
these relationships. I can see Hermione leaving her options open, as it
were, but frankly, when one grows up with the same tight-knit group of
friends through puberty and into young adulthood, it becomes increasingly
difficult to think of them in a romantic light. I'd find it much more likely
that each one of the trio would begin a relationship with someone in another
house than I'd think it realistic that two of them pair off--whichever two
that might be.

I remain an absolute no-shipper! It could go either way. It could go neither
way. I really don't care. Any pairing has potential for angst, humour, and a
way to further the plot, especially in terms of character development.
Furthermore, who's to say that if A and B begin dating in OoP, they'll
remain together through book 7 and beyond? This is high school. We can all
name friends who married their sweethearts, but honestly, how rare is that?
And in how many cases is that a relationship between people who've been
intimately acquainted since age 11?

I think I've said this before, so I'll be brief. I went to a very small
private school. I graduated in a class of 56. Most of us had been in the
same class since grade 4 (9 years old). I spent 8 years growing up with most
of my classmates, and it was absolutely impossible not to know everyone. At
a recent reunion, 6 of us met in a local bar and within half an hour could
name the whereabouts of every one of our classmates. Romantic relationships
were brief, in most cases, and the few that lasted longer than a month or
two generally involved at least one partner who had not attended the school
for the full span of time. I hung out in a group of about 8 kids, 5 male, 3
female, and while we were all close friends, if you'd asked any of us about
the others romantically, the answer was, "What? No, he's like my brother.
Too weird."

That didn't mean I never had any wishful thoughts, but it would have been
absolutely impossible to act on them. And still is, by the way.

I think Hermione, Ron, and Harry are in much the same place. They are
growing up together and ultimately, that friendship will seem much more
important than risking it for a romantic interlude.

Gwen