CHAPTER DISCUSSION: Chapter 29, Career Advice

[justcarol67]

No: HPFGUIDX 116185


> Bookworm wrote:
> I wouldn't want my kids to attend a school that had Snape 
> in charge! ;-)
> 
> I agreed that McGonagall is `more' likely to survive than 
> Dumbledore – mostly because she isn't in the front line. 
> It's just that JKR takes delight in planting hints...  I also 
> suspect that the entire Wizarding World is going to be turned upside 
> down by the end of the series and there will be changes everywhere.  

Carol responds:
Given Dumbledore's age, he'll have to retire in the somewhat near
future if he doesn't die, and I think JKR will tell us who replaces
him in the epilogue. Although I did note McGonagall's "if it's the
last thing I do," I think (at least at the moment!) that it's
something of a red herring and she'll probably survive. She certainly
has the temperament and experience to be Headmistress.

But I disagree with you about Snape. If he survives and if he chooses
to stay at Hogwarts, I think McGonagall will make him the Assistant
Headmaster, essentially filling her own current position, and that
he'll remain Head of Slytherin but teaching DADA rather than Potions.
Given the recognition he seems to crave, and without the (to him)
odious task of keeping Harry Potter out of trouble so that he'll
survive to face Voldemort, I think that Snape could be an effective
second in command. McGonagall is used to working with him and seems to
like and respect him, even down to a friendly rivalry in Quidditch.

By the time Snape is McGonagall's age (and she's 105), he'll be ready
to be Headmaster himself.

Just my opinion--quite possibly not JKR's, unfortunately!

Carol, in Tucson where it actually rained!