[HPforGrownups] Re: Still Life with Memory Charm, Magic

[Kwhateverr2001 at cs.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 36950

In a message dated 3/24/02 2:34:34 PM Mountain Standard Time, 
finwitch at yahoo.com writes:

> Also.. *why* is Snape's hair so dirty? Does it have something to do 
>  with the un-paid life-debt? Would he melt like Evil Witch of the East
>   (or was it West) in the Wizard of Oz if he was exposed to *pure* 
>  water? Life-debt doesn't seem to prevent killing (if we presume that 
>  bond holds between Father&Son Crouch).
>  
  My two cents:  I think Snape's greasy hair is nothing more than a device 
used by JKR to portray Snape as a villian.  Its a stereotypical but effective 
way to show that he's a negative character.  Then after she has portrayed him 
as such and the readers are alerted to the possible presence of a bad guy, 
she can have fun with the character and have him be noble occassionaly.  I 
think the hair and hooked nose are nothing but ways to build Snape up as a 
bad guy, then when he turns out to be good he shows that we can't judge by 
looks alone.  (A good standby lesson for a children's book.  Sorry!)

  Lysa