Draco, Snape and Others: Castles in the air?

[lupinlore]

No: HPFGUIDX 124827


<SNIP>
> 
> Neri:
> OK, lets call this theory of yours simple!Snape (unless you have a
> more cool name, an acronym or so. It is the right of the originator to
> choose the name for his theory). You say this theory misses only two
> puzzle pieces. Now lets have a tiny hypothetical exercise: I let you
> choose these two missing pieces any way you want to. Just invent
> whatever you think would work. Put your two pieces of puzzle into
> place and answer these questions:

Okay, here goes.

STORY TO DUMBLEDORE:  He found a lot of Voldemort's policies
attractive initially, and was deeply fascinated by the Dark Arts, but
has come to realize the man is insane and his policies will lead to
the destruction of the WW, including Snape and all the purebloods.  He
will work for DD as a spy in the pureblood ranks to keep this from
happening.

PRESENT POLICIES:  Is committed to bringing Voldemort down, but is
primarily concerned, deep down, with his own self-preservation.  Is
loyal to DD because he honestly thinks working for DD is the best way
to destroy Voldy and preserve self.  His hatred of James and the
Marauders, and Harry by extension, do have a very bad way of clouding
his judgment, however.




> 
> 1. Why DID Snape desert Voldy?

As said above, because he thinks the man is insane and will destroy
the WW, the purebloods, and one Severus Snape.
> 
> 2. Why does DD trust Snape to teach Potions but not DADA? 

Because Snape was fascinated with the Dark Arts, which DD believes to
be inherently destructive.  DD didn't want to put to much temptation
is Snape's path.

> 
> 3. Why does Snape show his Dark Mark to Fudge in the end of GoF?

Because he felt it imperative that Fudge understand the danger and
realize Voldy had returned.  He felt that if Fudge continued to be
obstinate the chances of Voldy getting away with something insane and
destructive were greatly increased.

> 
> 4. Why is he ready to take a mission that, from his and DD's manner,
> is extremely dangerous? We are talking about a very nasty and bitter
> man, remember? And DD gives him a choice in the matter.
> 


Certainly he is nasty and bitter.  But he is also very intelligent and
brave (the latent good qualities coming to the fore).  He wants Voldy
stopped and feels this is the best way to do it.  Better a level of
risk than a near certainty of destruction.

> 5. Why does Snape make "a sudden movement" when Harry tells Fudge that
> Lucius Malfoy is a DE?

Several possibilities.  He was startled that Lucius was stupid enough
to reveal himself to the boy.  Alternatively he starts to express
agreement with Harry but his hatred of the boy overrides the instinct.


> 
> 6. In OotP both Sirius and Umbridge hint that Snape is in good terms
> with Lucius. Why does Lucius like Snape when Voldy seems to have made
> Snape a persona non grata?

I don't believe Voldy necessarily has done any such thing.  That is
the interpretation of one of JKR's remarks by a lot of fans.  However,
I tend to think that Snape is still in Voldy's good graces.  


>  
> 7. Did Voldy agree to take Snape back? Why?

No, because I don't really think Snape ever left.

> 
> 8. Why does DD pick Snape, of all people, to teach Harry Occlumency
> when he knows about Snape hatred to James and Harry, and he still
> doesn't trust Snape to teach DADA?

Because DD sincerely wants to give Snape a second chance.  Because DD
is afraid to teach Harry himself and Snape is the only Master
Occlumens available.  Because DD tends to see people through rose
colored glasses and, knowing that Snape is intelligent and loyal,
thinks he can overcome his feelings enough to teach Harry.  Because
getting to near the Dark Arts would be destructive to Severus
personally, but Occlumency poses no danger.

> 
> 9. Why is Snape so emotional when he tells Harry in Occlumency that
> "those who carry their hearts on their sleeves stand no chance against
> the Dark Lord"?  

Simple human psychology.  As Snape says, he has seen the way Voldy
manipulates such situations.   His contempt for Harry convinces him
the boy will fall prey to such manipulation, and leads him into anger
and fear.  He is being self-contradictory, of course, but humans often
are and Snape is not a very unusual example of that tendency.


> 
> 10. Why is Snape, after 20 years, still so emotional about some school
> grudges?    

Because he's a petty, bitter man.  Petty people, by their very nature,
hold grudges and get very emotional about them.  Besides, it's a
pretty big grudge.  I don't like Severus but if somebody tried to kill
me I'd still be very angry about it twenty years later, particularly
if the culprits got off more or less scott free.


> 
> 11. JKR promised us a big revelation about Snape in Book 7. What would
> it be?

Has she promised this in so many words?  The only allusion to this
I've seen was when her interviewer talked about an "important
redemptive pattern to Snape" and she said, basically, "talk to me
after Book VII."  If there is such a revelation under this scenario it
could be several things.  It could by his story to Dumbledore.  It
would also likely be his present policies.  Personally I rather
suspect Snape's hatred of Harry will cloud his judgment again at a
crucial moment.


> 
> 
> If simple!Snape misses only two puzzle pieces, surely you can suggest
> two pieces that explain all the above. I don't require them to be the
> TRUE pieces, only that they'll answer the questions reasonably well.
> If you can't find such two pieces, why is it so difficult? 
> 
> Neri

Well, there you are.  No trouble at all.  Two pieces of info and Snape
is pretty well wrapped up in quite a consistent and understandable
package.  


Lupinlore