WHY a vampire? was No fire in the office

[Amanda Geist]

No: HPFGUIDX 88054

Carol, exasperated, asked

> Whose evidence? I'm a bit confused.

One of the Pips--I can never remember if it's Pip or Pip!Squeak (and they
*are* two different people, I'm told)--compiled a masterful list of every
shred of canon that had any chance of being interpreted to point at Snape as
a vampire.

Pip? Have you reposted lately, or given the link to it? If you do, we can
all get on the same page.

> What I don't understand is why anyone, even the most
> virulent Snape hater, would *want* Snape to be a vampire. What purpose
> does it serve? How does it advance the plot? He's a complex character
> with no need for supernatural explanations for his attitudes and
> actions. I much prefer real, human motivations.

You and I are in total agreement. However, I can see several grounds for
wanting him to be one. Only one has to do with plot; the rest have to do
with how we, as readers, interact with the characters.

1. Plot-related. JKR may make Snape a vampire to further make her points
about prejudice and exclusion. [Personally, I don't think this point has yet
been fully explored, because her creatures are not simply differently-shaped
humans, and it remains to be seen how the different species can
realistically be expected to interact.] Okay, so much for plot.

2. How totally cool to have known all along, if it *does* turn out to be
true; how wonderful to have figured out a JKR device so early on.

3. Vampires (at least the modern varieties) are presented as lifestyle
options, not monsters or sub-human. They're sexy. Snape is often considered
attractive, based on such things as his redemption potential, intellect,
lonely bravery, etc.; it may be irresistible to keep from combining that
with similar qualities seen in many modern vampire interpretations.

4. I just thought of this, it'd be interesting to see if there *is* a clear
correlation--the Lupin lovers may want Snape to have a similar affliction,
in a sort of reverse defense of, or equalization to, Lupin.

5. I also just thought of this, but I'm almost certain I've seen this point
argued in a Sirius thread. The Sirius people may want Snape to be a vampire,
and want Sirius to have known about it, in yet another of the many attempts
to excuse his setting the Prank in action.

Any others? What an interesting question, Carol: Why. We've spent so long on
Yes or No. [makes mental note to rummage back in the archives if there's
time and find some of my old passionate refutations of Vampire!Snape.]

~Amanda