Snapers vs. Sirists; Snape knew about the passageway, dementor in GoF

[ck32976]

No: HPFGUIDX 34784

I would like to start by saying that I prefer Sirius to Snape.  I 
don't hate Snape as much as before I read some of the very 
interesting things that the listmembers had to say about Snape.  
You've all made very good points about Snape's character, but I still 
prefer Sirius.

> Marina Wrote: 
> 
> > When he discovers that Lupin forgot to take his potion, he goes 
> after
> > him, even though he knows there's a good chance he might end up 
> having
> > to face down a werewolf. When he gets to the Shrieking shack, he
> > finds himself facing not only Sirius -- whom he believes to be a
> > particularly brutal killer, the monster who murdered thirteen
people
> > with one curse, the only man ever to escape from Azkaban -- but
also
> > Lupin, whom he believes to be in league with Sirius. Yet, 
> confronted
> > with two such vicious and evil (he thinks) enemies, Snape shows no
> > sign of fear or backing down; instead he faces them in order two
> > protect a bunch of kids he doesn't even like.

I have lent out my copy of PoA, so I can't reference it.  Snape went 
to Lupin's office to give him his potion, which I suppose could have 
been brave, but I don't think so.  Here's why...Snape knew (or should 
have known) that Lupin hadn't transformed.  As far as his going to 
the Shack, when he entered Lupin's office and found the map with 
Lupin's name on it, he appears to follow NOT with the intent of 
giving Lupin his potion, but with the intent of proving his theory 
about Lupin.  Snape (IMO) wanted to be able to prove, once and for 
all, that Lupin was helping Black and couldn't be trusted.  I don't 
personally see it as a brave thing, because (again IMHO) once he left 
for the shack, he was set on revenge and proving himself, which tends 
to push away fear in most people.  I could be wrong, but that is how 
I read it.  

On another note, All this talk about Snape has me thinking about a 
couple of things. 

First, I've seen mention of Snape not being able to ward off the 
dementors in GoF, but why was the dementor at Hogwarts to begin 
with?  I know the cannon answer is because Fudge wanted protection, 
but I have trouble with that.

(Aside: I know that the kiss was imperative for the plot, and I'm not 
faulting JKR at all.  I know that I couldn't have written it better, 
and more to the point, I wouldn't want to see anything changed.  I 
just enjoy contemplating these things. )

Anyway...We know from cannon that 
1)Dumbledore HATES the dementors and 
2)Fudge is usually not guarded by dementors or anyone for that matter.

Fudge had no reason to feel that he was in danger at the 3rd task, so 
that leaves out his bringing a dementor to begin with.  So did they 
call for a dementor?  If so, how long would it take for a dementor to 
get there? Can they apparate? (I know you can't apparate into 
Hogwarts, but why not just outside?) Are there dementors anywhere but 
Azkaban?  Maybe this has been discussed before, and I apologize if it 
has, I've just not seen it anywhere.  Can anyone shed some light on 
this for me?


Second, I see many complaints about Lupin not informing Dumbledore 
about the Passageway at the whomping Willow, but all this debate 
about Sirius and Snape has me thinking that Snape also knew about the 
route.  He also knew that Sirius knew and that it led right on to 
Hogwart's grounds.  So, what is Snape's excuse?  Granted, he may not 
have known about it's leading to the Shack, but I would think that 
he'd tell Dumbledore.  I just thought I'd bring that up (Sorry Snape 
fans).  Maybe I'm reading this wrong.  Does anyone else have any 
input?


Carrie