a lurker speaks - Snape's bias

[Alison Williams]

No: HPFGUIDX 82968


I've just finished re-re-reading OoP and some things struck me this time
(as either sad or funny or significant) that didn't before.  Apologies
if they've been discussed in depth in a batch of posts I missed (I can't
keep up!).

Chapter 15 - "'Reparo,' Harry muttered, pointing his wand at the broken
pieces of china. They flew back together, good as new, but there was no
returning the Murtlap essence to the bowl."

Irreversable loss is such a strong theme and this is such a wonderfully
understated image for it and for the limits of magic.  Especially as
Murtlap essence is used to sooth pain.

Chapter 20 - "Harry looked right back, an expression of innocent
determination on his face."

Because this so perfectly sums up Harry.

Chapter 21 - "'You're a r-really good teacher, you know,' said Cho, with
a watery smile. 'I've never been able to Stun anything before."

What - not even Cedric?

But this is the one that seems to me to have some potentially serious
implications for future developments.

Chapter 24 - "Snape had struck before Harry was ready, before he had
even begun to summon any force of resistance. The office swam in front
of his eyes and vanished; image after image was racing through his mind
like a flickering film so vivid it blinded him to his surroundings. He
was five, watching Dudley riding a new red bicycle, and his heart was
bursting with jealousy: he was nine, and Ripper the bulldog was chasing
him up a tree and the Dursleys were laughing below on the lawn: he was
sitting under the Sorting Hat, and it was telling him he would do well
in Slytherin: "  
[My emphasis.]

Knowing how JKR likes to note significant things in a casual mention
that you overlook, until it hits you on a later reading, I tend to study
this sort of passage with suspicion.  Snake woundn't have known that the
Sorting Hat seriously considered putting Harry in Slytherin.  Harry has
very deliberately never told anyone except Dumbledore, and I can't see
Dumbledore betraying such a confidence.  How might this effect Snape's
attitude to him?  Given his outrageous bias towards the members of
Slytherin House might it draw out - eventually - some grudging respect
to know that the Hat was of the opinion that Harry 'would have done well
in Slytherin'?

Going back into lurkdom now.

Alison




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