Severus Snape's character

[Brenda M.]

No: HPFGUIDX 105811

First thing first -- *Awesome* post, Julie!!

I really don't have much to add to your post since most of my 
reaction is head-nodding "uh-huh", but just few comments to...

>>> Julie wrote:
> 2. Snape treats all students with equal doses of nastiness?
> Not by a long shot. I've been re-reading POA, and Snape definitely
> favors Slytherins. In the first Potions class scene, Snape makes
> Ron and Harry prepare Draco's potion because Draco is nursing his
> supposedly injured arm. It's a safe bet that if Harry came to class
> with his arms actually cut off, Snape would tell him to quit whining
> and fix his own potion, with his toes if necessary!
> 
> Maybe this isn't too surprising, given that Snape is head of 
Slytherin House, and that he either does not choose or is even 
incapable of acting without prejudice. We don't see him with 
Hufflepuffs or Ravenclaws, but I suspect he's somewhere in the middle 
with them-- strict, but not as permissive as he is with Slytherins, 
nor as demeaning as he is to Gryffindors. <<<


Bren now:

Not to mention Slytherin students actually don't cause any meyham in 
Potions class (as far as we know), they seem to follow Snape with 
much respect. Draco clearly admires Snape, he wants him to be 
Hogwarts Headmaster, and I don't think *any* teacher can resist to 
show even slightest favorism towards his "pet" students.


>>> 3. Why does Dumbledore let someone like Snape teach?
> I think Dumbledore lets Snape teach because Snape is in fact 
*teaching* the students something. Not only is he competently 
teaching them Potions, but he is also teaching them about the real 
(i.e. Wizarding) world. Yes, Snape is mean, even occasionally mildly 
abusive, and Dumbledore does call him on it when necessary. But it's 
a life lesson. If students can't handle Snape's vitriol, especially 
certain students like Harry and Neville who will likely be crucial in 
saving the WW, how will they ever stand up to Voldemort? <<<


Bren now:

And perhaps to keep Snape around, feeding him with dose of noble 
Dumbledore to cast any temptation of returning back to Voldemort? And 
to have a powerfully-magical and quick-thinking Order member around 
in case of Voldemort's return and his infiltration of Hogwarts?


>>> Julie continues: BTW, I don't think for a minute there is some 
good cop/bad cop thing going on here. Snape is simply Snape, and I 
don't believe he is *acting* at all. He despises Harry, both because 
of his father, and because of Harry's own actions and attitude. Snape 
goes on his merry
> way, doing what he does because that's simply how he is, and 
> Dumbledore accepts it because it is far more beneficial than 
harmful.
> And because he knows that the students, while perhaps bruised a
> bit by Snape's words, are completely safe in Snape's presence (which
> is no small thing, if you consider some of the other teachers). 


Bren:

I do believe he is "acting" to a degree, though. The fact that he 
despises Harry probably makes it much easier for him to go along with 
it. I highly doubt that he will like Harry given different 
circumstances, but his actions seem to be *exaggerated* to entertain 
the Malfoy lot -- hence your "far more beneficial than harmful" 
comment. He probably justifies his verbal abuse that way, it's a win-
win situation for Snape and IMO this kind of train of thought IS what 
makes Snape who he is.


> 4. Snape's Boggart and Patronus? 
> I don't really have a clue! I do think Snape has both though. I am 
> wondering if his Boggart might be whatever drove him from 
Voldemort's 
> side. Something he was nearly forced to do, but realized he couldn't
> go through with? Or, something he did, and then regretted enough
> to leave? As for his Patronus, Snape has to have at least one happy
> memory (I hope). It will be pretty fascinating to see what it is. 
(Though I can't quite wrap my mind around the image of a smiling 
Snape!)


Bren: Perhaps his Boggart is Vampire and his Patronus is Dumbledore. 
Or maybe Harry or Prongs. Or --better yet-- PADFOOT! LOL! [having a 
fit from giggling too hard]


Bren