Snape passionate about the dark arts? [was: Snape]

[justcarol67]

No: HPFGUIDX 89783

Siriusly Snapey Susan wrote:
Sigune, the point I'm addressing isn't your main point, but I still 
think it's worth asking about.  Do we KNOW that Snape is passionate 
about the dark arts? <snip>I am just wondering whether "passionate about" 
the dark arts might be going a little too far, for what we know of 
Severus.
Please fire away if I'm way off and there is concrete evidence in 
canon!
 
> Sigune again:
<snip>
> I would like to clarify one thing first: if I called 
> Snape 'passionate about the Dark Arts' I wasn't referring to the DADA 
> position but to a general interest, so I would like to split up my 
> arguments.
> 
> 1. Interest in the Dark Arts as a branch of magic:
> We know - though, well, again not from Snape himself - that Snape was 
> already into Dark Arts when at Hogwarts; that would be Sirius (or 
> Remus? I haven't got my book here) saying so in OoP [somewhere after 
> the Pensieve bit, where Harry wants explanations for James's 
> bullying]. They explain James's antipathy towards 'Snivellus' by 
> pointing out that Potter hated the Dark Arts whereas Snape studied 
> them.
> 

Carol:
I'm not sure who I agree with here, but Sirius's statement that young
Severus was "up to his eyes in the dark arts" was not quite true,
unless you count his coming to Hogwarts at age eleven knowing more
hexes than most sixth years. The Dark Arts are not taught at Hogwarts,
so what he was up to his eyes in (quite literally in the Pensieve
scene where he has his nose pressed to the parchment and is writing
extremely long and detailed answers in a small hand) is DADA.

However, I do think that he was genuinely interested in the Dark Arts
as both a field of research and a potential career. We like what we're
good at and we're good at what we like. I think, as I've said
elsewhere, that it was his skill and knowledge in the Dark Arts was
what seduced him into joining Voldemort, hoping, I'm sure, for more
recognition and appreciation than he received at Hogwarts.


Sigune:
> Personally I like the idea of a Dark Sorcerer who isn't quite as bad 
> as he looks at first sight; I can imagine someone taking an 
> intellectual interest in the Dark Arts without necessarily growing 
> into a Voldemort. I mean, they /are/ fascinating after all.

Carol:
I agree, but then I like Snape as everyone on the list must know by
now. He has a logical mind and is highly gifted. It's time those gfts
were recognized and rewarded. In fact, I'm sure that Dumbledore does
recognize them and will reward him once he's paid that life debt to
James via Harry--assuming that they both survive to the end of Book 7.

Sigune:
 Also I 
> must agree with the person [sorry sorry, forgot who it was] who 
> posted on another thread that they can't believe Dumbledore would 
> trust Snape if he had killed Muggle(born)s under LV's command - 
> though I don't know how he could have avoided it and stay alive... 
> But then I suppose he would be cleverer than my humble self :).

Carol:
That was my suggestion. Glad you agree. :-) I don't know how he stays
alive, either. I just know that he's brilliant and mysterious and
intriguing. And I know I'll be jumped on for this, but he's not the
only one who abuses Neville. McGonagall calls Neville an idiot, gives
him detention, and refuses to let him know the passwords after his
list ends up in Sirius Black's hands (PoA). She also says something
like, "Don't let the people from Durmstrang know that you're incapable
of performing a simple switching spell" (GoF) after he plants hi own
ears on a cactus. (To be sure, his poor performance in both classes
would try the patience of any teacher. How many cauldrons has he gone
through now?) I can find the exact quotes and page numbers if anyone
wants them, and I'm not anti-Neville so please don't feel compelled to
defend him, anyone. I think he's made real progress and just needs
practice and self-confidence--not to mention his own wand. It will be
interesting to see how Snape deals with a competent and confident
Neville if Neville somehow gets into Snape's N.E.W.T.s potions.

Sorry to ramble in that last paragraph. I know it has nothing to do
with Snape's interest in the Dark Arts (or DADA).

Carol