[HPforGrownups] Why Snape doesn't get DADA job - with a sub-theory about the Prophecy

[Magda Grantwich]

No: HPFGUIDX 108302

The reason why Snape doesn't get the DADA job is tied into the
Prophecy about Harry defeating the Dark Lord.  No, not Neville, -
HARRY.  In order to understand this connection, let's slip into the
POV of the one guy in the middle of both issues: Dumbledore.

Dumbledore says that the "Power the Dark Lord knows not" is love. 
That's why he didn't anticipate Lily's sacrifice for Harry.  If Harry
has this power, then he will be able to defeat the DL permanently. 
How to make sure Harry has this power?  By letting him grow up as
normally as possible, come to Hogwarts, make friends, discover the
warmer emotions including real love (as we saw with Sirius).

Now, why not make Snape the DADA professor?  Well, JKR said (after a
lot of hemming and hawing) that Dumbledore feels it would bring out
the worst in Snape.  What could that mean?  Well, Snape is rather
single-minded when he's on the trail of something and he's not the
kind to pursue a course of action halfheartedly.  So if Snape was
DADA professor when Harry got to Hogwarts, what would Snape do with
Harry and his classmates in preparation for the great confrontation
with Voldemort?

Snape would drill the heck out of them, that's what.  He'd turn them
into a crack team of Order of the Phoenix storm troopers, tossing
powerful hexes and deflecting curses all over the place.  If Harry's
the saviour of the wizarding world against the forces of evil, then
kiss good-bye to quidditch and gobstones, kid - you're in training.  

And Dumbledore knows that this rigourous training is pursued, then
Harry will be a tough little warrior, an anti-Tom if you will, and
he'll never develop the "power the DL knows not".  Because this is
Snape's flaw: he doesn't really trust all that emotional stuff, he'd
put his faith in a well-aimed AK anyday.

In Book 6 or 7, Harry will be offered the choice of turning his back
on the prophecy.  He'll be given an out.  And of course he won't take
it.  But Dumbledore knows that to have that power means that Harry
must VOLUNTARILY be willing to sacrifice his life for love of his
friends, his community, maybe even his family, as pathetic as it is. 
He can't be forced to do it or the power won't work.

Magda


		
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