A strange silver instrument

[Berit Jakobsen]

No: HPFGUIDX 86422

Annemehr wrote:
> 
> If Snape did suspect Harry might be a parselmouth, it could be 
because
> he'd been talking to Dumbledore about the scar connection between
> Harry and Voldemort.
snip
But Harry has received
> some of his powers through his scar; it seems to be something
> Dumbledore knew or suspected all along and could easily have 
discussed
> with Snape.
> 
> That's how it could be that Snape wanted to test Harry in that way. 
> Perhaps there was some fear even then that Voldemort could be
> possessing Harry, though it would have had to have been from a
> distance.  
> 
> Berit:
> 
> > Obviosusly Snape's guess was right: CoS p.146 UK 
> > Edition: "Snape too, was looking at Harry in an unexpected way: 
it 
> > was a shrewd and calculating look..." Veeeery interesting :-)
> 
> Annemehr:
> 
> I'm not sure this means Snape suspected Harry ahead of time; he just
> may have thought a snake would give Harry a scare and make him look
> helpless in front of an audience.  The snake would have been a
> naturally Slytherinly choice.  From this line, one could argue that
> Snape was doing all his calculating *after* the fact and there was 
no
> premeditation.
> 
> I seemed to have argued this from both sides!
> 
Berit replies:

It's possible Dumbledore and Snape have had a conversation discussing 
what sort of connection has been created between Voldie and Harry, 
especially since we know Dumbledore already knows Voldie has marked 
Harry as an "equal" according to the prophecy. But why would Snape 
suspect this would include the ability to speak to snakes? I think 
Rowling has successfully led us off track in "disguising" how 
extremely important parseltongue is as a clue. She used the main part 
of the CoS book to go on in detail about snakes and purebloods and 
Slytherin heirs. It was not just that "everyone" suspected Harry was 
the Heir of Slytherin; Harry himself battled over and over in his 
mind whether he should have been sorted into the Slytherin house... 
And then Rowling finishes the book off by stating that Harry is 
indeed a true Gryffindor, summoning Fawkes and Godric's sword like he 
did. A good cover-up :-) She had us all fooled; we 
conveniently "forgot" the clues that all point to Harry having an 
extremely strong connection to the Slytherin house and its heir, 
Voldemort. Look at this quote that "says it all"! (Harry don't see 
why it's such a big deal he can talk to snakes. This is Hermione's 
answer): 

Quote: "'It matters', said Hermione, speaking at last in a hushed 
voice. 'because being able to talk to snakes was what Salazar 
Slytherin was famous for. That's why the symbol of Slytherin house is 
a serpent'". (CoS p. 147 UK Edition).

Compare this with Dumbledore's words:

Quote: "'You can speak parseltongue, Harry,' said Dumbledore 
calmly, 'because Lord Voldemort - who is the last remaining ancestor 
[descendant] of Salazar Slytherin - can speak Parseltongue.'" (CoS p. 
245 UK Edition).

Note how Dumbledore INSERTS that little "unnecessary" detail of 
Voldie being the Heir of Slytherin to explain why Harry can speak to 
snakes... He is not just saying Harry can speak parseltongue because 
Voldemort accidentally transferred parselmouth to Harry which just 
happened to be one of Voldie's powers. Voldie being able to speak 
parseltongue is not just a lucky coincidence. He can speak 
parseltongue BECAUSE he is a direct descendant of Salazar; in fact: 
He's the Heir of Slytherin. Harry inheriting this rare gift is 
extremely significant. The gift is invariably tied to Voldemort's 
Slytherin heritage. Harry might be more "equal" to Voldie than he 
likes to think... Harry speaking parseltongue connects him, through 
Voldemort, directly to Salazar.

I still believe Snape knew what he was doing when he set a snake on 
Harry :-) I think he "knows"... After all; Hogwarts was buzzing with 
rumours as to who the Heir of Slytherin was and what the monster in 
the secret chamber was; Snape's a smart guy :-).

Berit