Snape theory/Quirrell/Diary plotting/Elkin's DE post

[darrin_burnett]

No: HPFGUIDX 39861

Grey Wolf wrote:

> Two particular things against the theory: one, canon is very much 
> opposed to people changing houses. McGonnagall's first-years speech 
> especificly claims that once sorted, the house will be like their 
> family for the next seven years. I suppose that you could develop 
some 
> sort of theory to get off the loophole, but I can't even begin to 
> imagine how, and in any case you'll need quite substantioal canon 
to 
> back it up. Go for it, though; I'm not the one that's going to stop 
you 
> from developing a new theory. I love both defending and sinking 
them.
> 
> Second thing, I don't think Snape was ever a friend to James and 
co. 
> Dumbledore has told Harry that the relaton Snape/James is very much 
> like Harry/Draco, and if at some point in the past James and snape 
had 
> been friends, the comparison would not stand.
> 


I'll take the second one first. Dumbledore told Harry about Snape 
and  his father hating each other in his first-year (toward the end 
of  PS/SS). It is entirely possible there is more to the story. After 
all, Dumbledore gave Harry a very stripped-down version of James 
saving Snape's life. 
 
Now, as to the first, I don't think canon excludes switching houses 
for drastic reasons. Like family for the next seven years is strong 
language, but I still don't see why, in extreme cases, there could 
not be a re-sorting.
 
Perhaps the relations between Snape and the others got so bad that 
he was going to quit Hogwarts and Dumbledore, not wishing to send the 
boy straight to Voldemort (remember, this was when the big V was at 
the height of his powers) gave him a chance.

Regardless, the re-sorting is not necessarily crucial to my idea of 
James and Snape not always being enemies. I just happen to like the 
idea because I think it adds to Snape.

The possible former friendship is also one explanation as to why 
Snape betrayed Voldermort and perhaps -- I don't think it's been 
stated, just assumed -- that Snape tipped off Dumbledore that 
Voldermort was targeting the Potters.
 
Darrin Burnett 
 Thinks Voldemort should be called "DA V-MEISTER!" instead of "You-
 Know-Who"