[HPforGrownups] Re: No fire in the office

[Campbell, Anne-TMC-Rcvg]

No: HPFGUIDX 87961

 {Jazmyn Said}

 Or perhaps there was no fire as it was not a cold time of year?  How 
many people light a fire in August for warmth anyways? Snape did have a 
fire at a much later time which he used to summon Lupin. 


{Anne replies}

I think that more likely. A friend of mine from the UK tells me about the weather there often enough. (Not to mention the fact that it seems that air conditioning is a luxury over there--and most 'average' households don't have it--feel free to correct me, Helen, if I've got it wrong). I'm to sure about central heating, but unlike we spoiled Americans, who have central 'everything' (and still yowl about being too hot or too cold anyway), they seem to prefer to open the windows, or keep them closed according top the weather, and simply take advantage of the ambient conditions.

Since the fireplace scene takes place in September (When I think the weather is still relatively warm), not to mention that JK makes it clear Snape hadn't been there (Since he was out looking for the "terrible two..." sorry, couldn't help the pun...:P), I suspect the lack of a fire had a less sinister meaning--IE He had yet to light it for the night. Not to mention that he does indeed have one lit later--during a scene where he'd likely have been in the room for a bit (And not in the process of trying to discipline, or at least instill some responsible sense, into Mr Potter and Mr. Weasley--which, would have of course, been his primary focus in the first scene mentioned).

I've heard the Vampire!Snape theory before...and although I'll agree that JK Does seem to be leading us into thinking a vamp will show up at some point, perhaps even as a teacher, I don't think it's Snape. I have a few reasons for it.

1) She does tend to follow the original legends for monsters (Werewolves shift only on full moon, have certain physical characteristics, etc). Unfortunately, original legends on Vampires rarely if ever mention "Daywalkers" (Vamps that can function, fully capably, in full daytime--they come out, in most variations, at night, except for the Japanese Gaki, which apparently can go out whenever it likes. But none of us have ever seen Snape floating around as an amorphous cloud with glowing red eyes either). That's actually an affectation that showed up in literature, movies and comic books in the past 50 years or so---and even then, it's ascribed to either Vamps that are very old and/or powerful, vampires that have spent many years (decades or even centuries--and remember that Severus is only 35-36 at the beginning of the series) developing a potion/spell/whatever to combat the condition (Somehow, I don't think Snape, if he were Evil!Snape, would really care to bother if he were a Vamp. What a waste of valuable resources that could be put to better use?), or they've 'earned' their right to walk in the day by switching their natural vampire alignment from (evil) to (good). That last would, arguably, blow the Evil!Snape theorists right out the window...(Although the Asshole!Mean!Snape theorists would still be okay...^^;)

2) She rarely goes for 'stereotype' monsters either--Although Lupin does share a few of the original cinematic wolfman's gentle nature while not under the influence of the moon, he is actually a rare depiction. You barely believe it when it's first revealed. Most weres at least bow a little to their inner nature, becoming a bit rough around the edges, and downright murderous during full moon, even before they change....And, you have to admit, having pale, already 'batlike' Sev cast as a vampire would be both obvious and anticlimactic. She might do it anyway, but I would hate to see it (Although if her statement of "Look out for Severus in book 7" is any indication--he's obviously going to go around the bend, if even for a little while. Scary thought. Maybe is isn't one YET.....)

Of course, here's another scary thought....I'm sure I missed the proper scenes to shoot this one down, and I know it can't be right...but does anyone remember seeing 150 year old Dumbledore out in the daylight? Wouldn't it be frightening if HE were the Vampire? *eg*
 
Just something for the theorists to kick around.

Anne