[HPforGrownups] Snape as Borgin's son (was Snape as Borgin)

[caesian]

No: HPFGUIDX 114041

On Sep 24, 2004, at 9:13 AM, Gregory Lynn wrote:
> I was listening to Chamber of Secrets last night, and I think Mr
>  Borgin may be Professor Snape in disguise.
>
Caesian snips most of a well-reasoned post:
Oh hooray!  Someone else finds the similarities between Snape and Mr. 
Borgin intriguing.  I also agree that the manner in which Mr. Borgin is 
introduced seems a bit too memorable to discount him - particularly the 
vignette as he drops his oily manner after the Malfoys depart.

G.Lynn continues:
>  And, of course, a shopkeeper who deals in dark arts toys would
>  reasonably be expected to be in the company of a variety of DEs on
>  occasion, and would appear (to the DEs) to be in a subservient
>  position and thus possibly be overlooked.  No better place to hide
>  than right in plain sight is there?

Perhaps.  But if Snape is spying - I believe he can do alot better than 
staking out a storefront in Knockturn Alley.  I surmise that Voldemort 
is no more likely to do his own shopping than I am able to triumph over 
SearchMort.

Let me suggest an alternative explanation for the resemblance - Mr. 
Borgin is Severus Snape's father (or other close relative).

The reasoning behind this is multiple (posts #96654 and 96813).  
Briefly:

No other member of the "Snape" family has been mentioned in the books 
thus far.  His name, Severus Snape - two words that mean to cut off or 
separate oneself - from his family?.**

Young Snape's extensive knowledge of Dark Arts at the tender age of 11 
strongly suggests extensive early contact with Dark Arts - as would be 
likely for a shopkeeper's son in Knockturn Alley.  It is also clearly 
stated that Borgin&Burkes appears to be the largest and oldest of such 
shops.

Snape's subservient attitude towards the Malfoy family utterly flies in 
the face of his generally prideful manner.  It is not merely explained 
by the (putative) utility of Malfoy as a conduit to Voldemort - as this 
relationship seems to be long-standing (Sirius taunts Snape about being 
Lucius's lap-dog).  Yet it would be explicable if Snape's family of 
origin was in a different social and class strata, such as the merchant 
class.***

I apologize to those who have read this idea from me before - I'm still 
holding out for Snape the Half-Blood Git!  Cheers,
Caesian

rampant speculation section:
** Perhaps Harry was correct when he assumed that the child who cowered 
as a hooked-nose man berated a woman was young Snape.  A suitable 
reason to cut familial ties at a young age?  Maybe even to have run 
away, as did Sirius.  And to seek refuge with another wizarding family 
- the Malfoys perhaps?  Or perhaps to his (muggle?) mother?

*** This may also explain some of Snape's self-discipline and ambition 
- to rise above his childhood station - and possibly serve as a motive 
for his original branding with the Dark Mark.

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