The bucking broomstick (Was: Snape's house)

[catherinemckiernan]

No: HPFGUIDX 94641

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "severelysigune" 
<severelysigune at y...> wrote:
> Carol:
> <<At least as an adult he has no trouble controlling his broom when 
> he referees the Quidditch game in SS/PS. As we know from Harry's 
> remarks, a good broom won't throw off its rider, so either this is 
> not a good broom or it has a hex or jinx on it.  IMO it's not fear 
of 
> flying or incompetence but stubborn unwillingness to let the 
(jinxed 
> or faulty) broom control him (which the girl in the memory finds 
> funny). 
> Carol, who wishes she knew who the girl was>>

As did Sigune:

<snip>
> Sigune now:
> Yes, I think you must be right, Carol - but I must confess to be a 
> teensy bit disappointed. I did like the thought of Snape being not 
> good at something like flying a broomstick. In any case I still 
find 
> it hard to imagine he likes brooms as a means of transportation - 
he 
> seems more of an Apparating type (much more magic, invisible and a 
> little spectacular to my mind). 
> My first interpretation of the Bucking Broomstick was that Snape 
> couldn't fly very well; but in Quidditch Through The Ages it is of 
> course stated explicitly that a Quidditch referee should be an 
expert 
> broomsticks(wo)man. Bleh. I also loved to think the apparent 
> unfairness of Snape's refereeing was in fact due to his faulty 
> knowledge of Quidditch rules, though of course he would never admit 
> that in public (or private, for that matter). But now I must agree 
> with you and Potioncat.
> Hmmm - yes, who can the girl be? I don't believe in Hooch. And I 
hope 
> we'll find out more about the scene, which is quite possible, isn't 
> it?
Now Catherin McK:
I see what you mean about Snape not being a broomstick kind of man - 
it just isn't as impressive as apparating, and Snape does like to 
make an entrance.

I always interpreted the bucking broomstick scene as symbolic of 
Snape's lack of success with girls. Is this the result of an English 
Lit. degree (sex interpretations = high marks) or am I just dirty-
minded? There's just something about him being laughed at during that 
unsuccessful ride...

Catherine McK