No fire in the office

[jakedjensen]

No: HPFGUIDX 87936

It is possible that Snape is a person who doesn't mind the cold (not 
undead, but just not affected as much as most people).  Canon support 
for such a theory seems quite weak (if someone has some, please 
correct me), especially given the amount of canon suggesting Snape is 
a vampire (see, e.g., post #35299).

Also, remember that JKR sets up this whole fireplace is dark and 
empty concept and then follows it with:

"[McGonagall] raised her wand the moment she entered . . ." (CoS, 
p.80)

McGonagall anticipates that the office will be cold ("the moment she 
entered") and JKR goes out of her way to establish this "seemingly 
pointless" idea (i.e., if it is just that Snape can stand the 
cold....she has yet to play with this idea anymore...).  

Whether you think Snape is a vampire or not you have to admit that 
JKR is constantly dropping vampire references in the books.  Indeed, 
vampires are the single most talked about magical creature in the 
entire series (and we have yet to actually encounter one). Now, if 
Snape is a vampire, than this whole scene has a second dimension 
which foreshadows (those who say JKR doesn't foreshadow are 
incorrect, she does all the time, it is her strength) Snape's 
secret.  In fact, this is the way JKR always weaves her mysteries.  
She drops little hints (Lupin's moon, Lupin missing Christmas dinner, 
etc.) and then drops the bomb in the end.

Good discussion,
Jake (who is still trying to buy even though Christmas is over)