Snape's hair and status

[Gail Pamphilon]

No: HPFGUIDX 58515

Hello everyone, I decided to jump in and start posting. :-)

I have had a theory about the Snapalicious hair for ages. I think it is 
quite simply that no-one has told him that he has oily hair and needs to 
use shampoo and conditioner specially formulated for oily hair, or that he 
needs to shampoo his hair twice each wash. I'll bet he has gone to the same 
elderly, incompetent wizard barber for years and years (probably in 
Hogsmeade, as he does not appear to have a home to go to), hence the bad 
haircuts and the continued oiliness.

It's not really beyond the bounds of possibility. When we were children 
(admittedly that was a long time ago!) we used to use an apparently 
standard family shampoo that ruined our hair beyond repair. Mum finally 
found out when the hairdresser told her that she was sorry, but the damage 
couldn't be repaired and we would have to wait for new healthy hair to grow 
out. I also remember an elderly barber (hairdresser? it was before the 
'unisex' hairdresser days) who, with all due respect to him, should have 
retired some time ago. He used to be good, according to Mum. And we all 
know that the wizarding (is that a real mediaeval word, since 
discontinued?) world is still in the Victorian age, don't we? ;-)

What Snape needs is a good hairdresser. I had fun picturing the shock of 
Ron et al at the thought of a woman hairdresser washing and cutting a man's 
hair, and Harry and Hermione's amusement at their amazement. ;-) I would 
love to read about that, it would be funny. I wonder if Jo takes suggestions?

Whatever gave rise to the idea that Snape is a dhampyr? Just because he's 
grumpy and wears an academic gown, hence the 'batlike' appearance? :-) 
There is nothing in the books to suggest that he is anything less than 
human - a lonely, unhappy human, to be sure. I picture him as having a 
slightly tumbledown property, perhaps a mansion or even a small castle 
(given the long lives of magical people and my suspicion that he comes from 
a long line of purebloods) that he never visits because the silence would 
weigh on him. Just my pet theory, anyway. Who is to say I may not be proved 
right? I found it hard to believe that all those teachers stayed at school 
over the holidays, even Christmas. It seemed odd. I suspect an explanation 
may be forthcoming in future books, and that we haven't had one yet because 
there were too many things that Jo had to cover first. There is certainly 
never a dull moment in these books. I don't remember any slow passages.

Why do the teachers at Hogwarts and other magical schools have to be 
full-fledged professors? Do they answer to a magical Education Department, 
as well as (in the case of private schools like Hogwarts) the board of 
governors?

Gail, who isn't witty enough to think of clever names for wizarding bands :-)
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