Why ole Snapey is a vamp was Re: No fire in the office

[jakedjensen]

No: HPFGUIDX 88361

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, 
Kneasy wrote:
> Fans may offer counter arguments, but it doesn't seem that startling
> revelations of what someone is are multi-volume threads. The only
> arguable instance is Scabbers (introduced in book 1 and revealed in
> book 3), but for the first two books he was a minor cast member who
> blossomed(!) in book 3. To put it crudely, he was 'a nothing' that
> became 'a something'. He may yet become a 'something else' but that
> has already been hinted at with his debt to Harry.
>.

This is an insightful observation.  True, most significant character 
transformations occur over the course of a single text.  However, I 
think it is safe to say that significant character revelations are 
approaching for Lily Evans, one of the Dursleys (probably Pet.), one 
of the OoTP (probably turn out to be a counterspy), Neville (or one 
of the Longbottoms), and Snape (just to name a few).  These character 
transformations will be appear at the end of the series, even though 
JKR has been developing them for thousands of pages.  So, for 
example, if all of a sudden Petunia is revealed to be a squib who 
lived actively in the WW for most of her early years it would be a 
lengthy revelation (started in book one).  So, given that such 
transformations/revelations are likely for at least some of the main 
characters, I think we should consider them a definite 
possibility.    


Kneasy wrote:
> As to the evidence produced by Pippin, filoroll and others, all I 
can
> say is that, *IMO*, all of it can be explained by alternative 
> interpretations. Moreover, and I may be mistaken here, the only
> reason that the adherents of the  Snape!Vampire theory seem to
> have is a desire to see a vampire in the story somewhere and Snape
> is the one elected. Now if someone can offer cogent  reasons *why*
> Snape needs to be a vampire, I'll be more than happy to listen (and
> probably to dissent, but that's beside the point).
> 
> Add  to  this the evidence countering the Snape!Vampire hypothesis
> (that he doesn't show the behavioural characteristics associated 
with
> the breed), and I hope you will understand my deep scepticism.

Speaking for myself, my belief in the Snape!Vampire theory does not 
stem from a desire to see a vampire in the story somewhere.  My 
belief was driven by the canon.  What originally sparked my curiosity 
was the exchange between Lupin and Snape in PoA.  Here it is in 
summary:
1. Snape is especially bothered by Lupin being DADA (as evidenced by 
his constant nagging on DD about it).  Note that Snape does not 
bother DD about a DADA (at least, JKR does not mention it) even 
though the others are Quirrel, Lockhart, Moody, and Umbridge.  
Clearly Snape did not like any of these other four, but JKR notes 
that he is especially miffed about Lupin.  Hmmm....
2. Snape subs for Lupin and assigns an essay on werewolves.  He is 
especially nasty about this (even for Snape).
3. Lupin discovers that Snape has assigned the werewolf essay.  He 
cancels it.  He does not assign an essay on vampires.
4.  Harry is in trouble.  Snape has caught him sneaking out the 
Hogsmeade and in possession of the map.  Snape is putting the 
pressure on.  Summons Lupin to office to discuss map.  Starts to put 
the pressure on Lupin.  Lupin offers a lame cover for the map (like 
Snape believed it was a joke shop item) and then (as if to silence an 
anticipated retort) he says asks Harry if he can talk to him about 
his vampire essay.  Snape does not respond.  Lupin and Harry exit to 
hallway where they do not discuss any vampire essay.
5. Future books reveal Lupin's curr. for DADA and surprisingly 
vampires are not mentioned (but all other monsters they covered 
are).  In addition, vampires seem to be much more complex monsters 
than the others covered by third years (bloodcaps and such).

This exchange got me to thinking about Snape.  We know he has some 
secret.  Probably multiple secrets.  Mainly, why did he leave the 
DE?  Why did he come to Hogwarts?  

As I peiced back through the books I noticed that (1) JKR is always 
talking about vampires (like a running joke to herself), (2) Snape 
looks like a vampire (see both description of Snape in book and 
drawing by JKR), (3) Snape is described as a bat several times by 
multiple characters, (4) Snape is skilled at reading minds (a power 
attributed to vampires in many myths), (5) Snape was treated by Filch 
in book one when he was injured (which, at the time, seems like a way 
to avoid the attention of his fellow teachers...but we later learn 
that this is not the case...he is on the side of good...so why 
Filch....who is a bit on the dark side himself), (6) Snape is often 
pictured in the books doing things at night (roaming the halls, the 
dark forest, outside the castle looking for Harry...why was Snape 
doing this and not McGonagall?), (7) indeed, Snape is often used by 
DD for special physical tasks (guard the stone, search the forests, 
etc.) which seems odd (Snape is not an athelete or anything), (8) JKR 
says DD won't give Snape DADA because it would "bring out the worst 
in him" (what does that mean?), (9) Quirrels been teaching at 
Hogwarts for awhile, but suddenly he is very concerned about vampires 
(needs a "new" book on vampires....Hagrid says he ran into a vampire 
during his year off...but when was that...last year....or before he 
started teaching...not clear...what is clear is that Snape is on his 
case).   Just to mention a few things.  So I thought, "Might Snape be 
a vampire?  Is that what JKR is hinting at?  Is that possibly part of 
the reason he left the DE?  Maybe he contracted vampirism and was 
shunned by LV, the DEs, or something like that?"  The more I looked, 
the more it seemed to be a possibility.  I mentioned it to others and 
they were like, "Whoa...that's crazy...but, yeah, that would make 
this make more sense...or, maybe that explains why this happened.."  

Sure, there is canon evidence suggesting he is not.  Where are his 
pointy teeth?  Well, most myths say that vampire grow there teeth 
before they feed (or they would be pretty easy to identity).  Where 
are all the dead bodies from him feeding? Well, there are a number of 
ways around this.  He is a potions master.  Maybe he mixed a potion 
(like Blade).  Maybe he feeds on non-humans (like chickens, or deer 
in the forests...we know there are other vampires there and we have 
seen Snape go in there...doesn't seemed bothered by it and DD seems 
to think of him when he thinks forest....see end of OoTP).  What 
about a coffin?  Well, we haven't seen where Snape sleeps and if he 
is like most vampires his coffin is probably hidden.  Most of all, 
what about sunlight?  JKR already gave us a way out of this.  Lupin 
feared the moonlight of a full moon, but he drank a potion and it 
allowed him to survive it.  Who made that potion?  Why none other 
than Snape.  

Anyway, none of this is to say that Snape "has" to be a vampire.  All 
it says is that there is canon evidence and a logical reason for 
Snape being a vampire.  He might not be.  But I think I have laid out 
a reasonable case that a person can look at and say, "Hmmm that's 
interesting...I may not believe it...but I can see what you mean."

Nuff outta me,

Jake