Most burning Snape question?

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 107533

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "laura" <snapesangel2002 at y...>
wrote:
> Hey there, this is a bit OT but I had the most *amazing* letter this 
> morning containing tickets to meet JKR at the Edinburgh book
> festival on Aug. 15!!!!!
> 
> I've already decided I'm asking her a question on Snape as not many 
> people ask good Snape questions ... This is what I've got so far:
> 
> 1) Is Snape a pure blood?
> 2) Why did he join/leave the Deatheaters?
> 3) Has he ever been married/engaged?
> 4) Will he ever get the DADA position?
> 5) Why did he flinch in GOF when Lucius was named as a DE in the 
> hospital wing?
> 
> ...edited... If so what are you gonna ask?
> 
> Laura* (who can't believe her luck and is gonna celebrate big time 
> tonight!!!)

Asian_lovr2:

Tricky business this question asking. If you ask a question that is
too blunt or direct, you risk her giving you a 'non-answer' in order
to protect the story. If the question is too flighty, JKR won't take
it serious, and again will give you a non-answer.

The trick is to phrase your question in a way that allows her to
answer without revealing too much about the future books. 

It's also important to not ask a quesiton that asks for information
that you know she will never reveal. That's just a wasted question. So
find a question that she is likely to answer. 

It would also help to ask a somewhat vague question, one that starts
with 'is there any chance' or 'is it possible'. That way she can
answer without making an absolute commitment to the answer. Take the
'Vampire' issue. If you ask, 'Is Snape a Vampire?', you'll get no
answer. If you ask, 'Is there any connection between Snape and
Vampires?', that's more vague and allows her to answer without saying
absolutely that Snape is a vampire. By the way, that question was
asked and answered; he's not. So, please... please... do not ask if
Snape is a vampire.

Also, you have to ask a question that in all likelihood has a short
and sweet answer. In the short time you will have, JKR will not be
able to give a long detailed complex answer.



Of the ones you suggested.

1) Is Snape a pure blood?

Will probably get an answer, but I worry that the answer might be
'isn't it obvious' (Slytherin, DE, Dark Arts, etc...) which in a sense
is a non-answer. You might change it to something like, "Can we assume
Snape is a pureblood?"

2) Why did he join/leave the Deatheaters?

I think the answer to that question is too long and complex, so I'm
not sure she will answer.

3) Has he ever been married/engaged?

I think she may have implied the answer to this one. I vaguely recall
someone asking her if Snape was ever in love and the answer was
something like 'who would love someone like Snape?'. I think the
person who asked the 'love' question was trying to find a clue to
support a link between Snape and Lily. 

4) Will he ever get the DADA position?

Try re-phrasing it as, "Is there any chance Snape will get the DADA
position?". By asking a somewhat vague question, you allow her to
answer without commiting herself. This way she doesn't have to say,
'Yes, he will' or 'No, he won't'. It allows her to say 'there is a
chance', which implies he will get it but does so without forcing her
to commit.

 5) Why did Snape flinch in GOF when Lucius was named as a DE in the 
hospital wing? 

This one is kind of in the middle. You could maybe re-phrase it to
your advantage, and there is some chance it might get answered. But if
the answer is too long and complex, I'm sure she will avoid it. 

I liked some of the question others suggested. 

Regardless of what happens, you at least get to see her face-to-face,
and that is definitely something.

Steve/asian_lovr2