Snape is Number One (was My two cents re:the Prophecy)

[Talisman]

No: HPFGUIDX 82229

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "smtopliff" <topfor at a...> 
wrote:smtopliff  said:

My take on the Prophecy in OOP has been different than other posts I 
have seen <snip>  what if that person is Severus  Snape?!?!

Talisman, twining bat-shaped love knots in her hair, replies:

I actually have a section of notes on this, which I can't find 
(because I've got heaps and files of notes, including scribbles on 
the backs of envelops, legal pads, grid paper, drawing pads and the 
backs of old posts.)  Someday I'll get them all sorted out, and if I 
come across the notes and see I've missed something, I'll send it 
along.  

I don't place much import in the prophecy, no matter who is meant.  
But there is as much (or more) evidence to support a Snape 
interpretation as any other.

What I recall of my Snape considerations follows:

 I think Snape makes a very good candidate for the One-with-the-
power. He certainly has the power, and I, for one,  can't wait until 
he is unleashed. (Talisman pauses for a moment to regain control of 
herself)   

I agree with you that "born" in the prophecy's context doesn't 
require issuance from a mother's body, but I don't think we need to 
add the extra "e" (for borne) either.  

The prophesy reiterates the born business: "born as the seventh 
month  dies" and then (seemingly redundant, but perhaps to 
underscore the importance of the phrasing?) "will be born as the 
seventh month dies.."

Both times we have the same born/dies comparison.

Of course, months don't literally "die."  This is trope.  Therefore, 
a symmetrical analysis of the sentence directs us to use the 
word "born" figuratively as well.

To be figuratively born is to undergo a  major life change, 
especially  a change of heart, as when religious converts speak of 
being "born again."  

We know Snape has had a change of heart. 

Snape's switch could certainly have happened before the end of July 
1980.  DD's re-vouching for Snape in the post-Godric's Hollow DE 
trials suggests that it was a settled matter with DD by that time.  
Snape may well have been the one who warned DD of the planned 
attack, again suggesting that he had switched sides before that 
time.  It would also make for lovely symmetry if Snape's switch time 
mirrored Wormtail's, i.e., Wormtail had been LV's spy for over a 
year by Oct. 31, 1981, so if Snape had been DD's man for roughly the 
same amount of time, that would make a July 1980 transformation just 
perfect.

The people Snape is "born" to are those opposing LV.   Thrice can 
actually mean "greatly" or it can mean threefold, it doesn`t have to 
mean three temporal incidents.  The Order has greatly defied LV, and 
defies him on at least three philosophical points, e.g.: they 1) are 
willing to die; 2) accept Muggles/the Muggle born; and , 3) eschew 
Dark Magic.

Of course Snape bears LV's Dark Mark, but LV will also  become aware 
of the fact that Snape has powers at least equal to his own.  We 
already know that Snape can best LV at mind powers:  Snape is a 
greater Occlumens than LV is a Legilimens. 

(N.B. again, Those who really believe Snape is driven by his teenage 
grudges would do well to reflect on the kind of emotional control 
required to be so great an Occlumens.)

I expect Snape to show us quite a display of unsuspected powers, and 
not just vampy ones, either.

Snape being the One would also explain why Snape, who has never lied 
to Harry before, is still telling the truth when he says that 
nothing in the DoM pertains to Harry.  (OoP 538 )

Smt continued:
> AND, Snape was brought to them by (who else?)  Dorcas Meadowes, 
the one that Voldemort personally offed <snip>.  


Talisman:
I think you do well to notice the significance of  LV personally 
killing Dorcas (esp. since JKR makes the point of telling us how not 
everyone is "important enough" to warrant personal dispatch ).  I 
don't see any further evidence linking her to the Snape conversion, 
but I haven't really looked at this angle.  Whatever her role, she's 
worth keeping in mind while we re-read. 

Talisman, for whom Snape will always be The One, no matter what JKR 
thinks.