If DD knows, then why...? [was: Snape, trying very hard not to smile?]

[Berit Jakobsen]

No: HPFGUIDX 93963

Susan wrote: 
*Do* we know that Snape told Draco to use the serpentsorcia spell? 
It's certainly not clear in the movie and I don't have my book here 
to check.

Berit replies:

Quote:
"Snape moved closer to Malfoy, bent down and whispered something in 
his ear.
... Harry looked nervously up at Lockhart and said, 'Professor, could 
you show me that blocking thing again?'
'Scared?' muttered Malfoy, so that Lockhart couldn't hear him.
'You wish,' said Harry out of the corner of his mouth.
... 'Three - two - one - go!' he [Lockhart] shouted.
Malfoy raised his wand quickly and bellowed, '*Serpensortia!*' (CoS 
p. 145 UK Ed)

Harry (or we as the readers) don't hear exactly what Snape whispers 
in Draco's ear, but from the context it sure doesn't look like that 
Serpensortia spell was Draco's idea. This is how Harry perceives the 
situation as well. The reason Harry wants Lockhart to show him "that 
blocking thing" again is because he thinks Snape is advising Malfoy 
as to what to do; quite a reason to be apprehensive! Also, Snape 
doesn't seem very surprised at the sight of a snake coming out of 
Draco's wand:

Quote:
"Don't move, Potter,' said Snape lazily, clearly enjoying the sight 
of Harry standing motionless, eye to eye with an angry snake. 'I'll 
get rid of it...' (CoS p. 145 UK Ed)

Berit
http://home.no.net/berjakob/snape.html