Why DD might not want Snape for DADA job

[ghinghapuss]

No: HPFGUIDX 94519

> Viridis wrote:
> > I still think he reason is very mundane: Snape is a former 
> criminal, possibly a murderer. Would somebody sentenced for 
shooting people get a licence for shooting school? As much as Snape 
is knowledgeable about (DA)DA, Dumble will be chin deep in letters 
from protesting parents, once the word would leak (and it would, 
sooner or later, trust Rita&co). Than he'd probale have to sack Snape 
for good.
 
> Potioncat wrote:
>Well, if someone committed murder with a gun, I wouldn't 
> want them teaching poisons either.  I still think he certainly 
makes potions sound like Dark Arts in that first speech of his!


Mandy here:
Viridis, I believe you raise a very good point and it really is that 
simple.  

Snape was involved with LV during the first war.  He may have been 
exonerated of all charges, but the accusation was still made.  If DD 
was to put Snape in the position of DADA teacher, it would only be a 
matter of time before the rumors started flying among the parents 
about Snape's possible past.  And no one is going to want a man who 
was accused of being involved with the Dark side of the war teaching 
their children about Defense of the said Dart Arts.  It would be like 
hiring an accused member of the IRA (innocent or not) to teach 
Defense of Terrorism in a English school.  The government might do it 
but not a school.  Despite Snape's supposed innocence there are 
people out there know for certain that Snape was a Death Eater.  
Malfoy and Karkaroff, and mostly likely all the other DE's as well. 
Anyone of these men could quietly let is 'slip' about Snape's 
involvement.  If there was any doubt cast about Severus Snape and LV, 
DD would have no choice but to remove him from the school.  That is 
something DD cannot risk, he needs Snape at Hogwarts with himself and 
Harry.  Snape is too important to DD for him to risk loosing him.

You might ask why has this not happened already?  I believe LV also 
wants to keep Snape at Hogwarts as much as DD.  It's a goldmine of 
information about Harry and DD.  But if Snape is given the DADA 
position and parents start shouting for his removal neither DD or LV 
could do anything to keep him there.  It's best for DD (and LV) to 
keep Snape in a relatively low-key position, doing the same job he 
has done for the past 15 years or so, and not rock the boat.

Cheers, Mandy