[HPforGrownups] Re: New characters in Book 6 (Was: JKR says no, and she's no Dobby)

[James Lawlor]

No: HPFGUIDX 104944

> Carol:
> If the pattern of the DADA teacher dying or losing his/her job at the
> end of the book holds true, Snape can't be the DADA teacher in Book 6,
> as JKR has stated in an interview that he'll play a key role in Book
> 7. (If he becomes DADA teacher in Book 7, I'll worry about his
> survival. As it is, we have what amounts to a promise that he'll
> survive past the end of Book 6.)
> 
> 
> Q: "There's an important kind of redemptive pattern to Snape."
> JKR: "He, um, there's so much I wish I could say to you, and I can't
> because it would ruin. I promise you, whoever asked that question, can
> I just say to you that I'm slightly stunned that you've said that and
> you'll find out why I'm so stunned if you read Book 7. That's all I'm
> going to say."

Hmm! Actually, going by that it's still possible (although personally
I don't find it very likely) that Snape could be the DADA teacher in
HPB. It has been mentioned that Dumbledore has declined to give Snape
the position despite his qualifications because he fears it will
"bring out the worst in Snape", or something to that effect. It's
possible that Dumbledore gives Snape the job against his better
judgement and turns out to be right - that a renewed immersal in the
Dark Arts brings out the worst in Snape and causes him to go back to
Voldemort's side (or at least if not Voldemort's side, causing him to
sink into the Dark Arts). Then he could still have a key role in Book
7 (since not all of the DADA teachers have died, after all).

But I highly doubt that Dumbledore would put Snape in such a position,
and I would seriously wonder what exactly was meant by Snape's "worst
side", because I don't think the issue of Dumbledore's trust in Snape
would hinge on something easily changed - it can't have been a whim
that caused Snape to turn against Voldemort.

My my, this list is quite the pleasant time-sink, isn't it? :D

- James Lawlor
jlawlor at gmail.com