Family ties.

[khinterberg]

No: HPFGUIDX 117236


Kneasy said:
>  Nor are links  evident to everyone's favourite Potions Prof. As a 
> Slytherin it's  probable he's a pureblood, but I don't know; I have 
> a sneaking  suspicion that his background is more complicated than 
> that. I wouldn't  be surprised if there wasn't an unexpected family 
> connection or two  buried in his background. Though it'd suit some 
> if he were descended from Herpo the Foul.
> 
> Potioncat:
> I can't link the information...as I'm not using my own wand and do 
> not get quite the same results...but JKR's discussion of Snape's 
> backgroud seemed to be saying that he isn't exactly pure-blood.
> 
> Only now I can't remember if this was from the last question/answer 
> session or from her own site.
> 
> She says only in rare cases would a Muggleborn enter into Slytherin 
> says something about that being a hint...Oh, I hate it when people 
> don't quote exactly!  Can anyone help here?  JKR never comes out a 
> gives a real answer of course.
> 
> 

Here is the quote potioncat:

Apart from Harry, Snape is my favourite character because he is so
complex and I just love him. Can he see the Thestrals, and if so, why?
Also, is he a pure blood wizard?

Snape's ancestry is hinted at. He was a Death Eater, so clearly he is
no Muggle born, because Muggle borns are not allowed to be Death
Eaters, except in rare circumstances. You have some information about
his ancestry there. He can see Thestrals, but in my imagination most
of the older people at Hogwarts would be able to see them because,
obviously, as you go through life you do lose people and understand
what death is. But you must not forget that Snape was a Death Eater.
He will have seen things that
 Why do you love him? Why do people love
Snape? I do not understand this. Again, it's bad boy syndrome, isn't
it? It's very depressing. [Laughter]. One of my best friends watched
the film and she said, "You know who's really attractive?" I said,
"Who?" She said, "Lucius Malfoy!"

This is from the Edinburgh book festival on August 15, 2004.  The full
transcript is here:

http://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/news_view.cfm?id=80

Hope this helps!

khinterberg