Suicidal!Snape and the Curse of DADA-- LONG!!

[colebiancardi]

No: HPFGUIDX 141907

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Sydney" <sydpad at y...> wrote:
>
<big snip>
>  
>  The 'relapsed addict' theory of why D-dore wouldn't give him the 
job is clearly silly.  Dumbledore is trusting Snape to infiltrate the 
Death Eaters.  Obviously that would involve a great deal more 
temptation than teaching countercurses to a load of schoolkids.  And 
what's to prevent Snape fiddling with Dark spells after-hours, with 
or without the DADA job?  No, D-dore says he "trusts Snape 
absolutely", and that's flatly incompatible with "but I'm worried 
that he's Go Evil if allowed near textbooks on Hinkypunks".

colebiancadi:
I want to say I totally agree with your statement.  It is a weak and 
extremely naive viewpoint to think that the only reason why DD 
wouldn't give Snape the DADA job is that Snape *might* revert to his 
old ways...

>  
> In any event, we don't NEED any other theories about why D-dore 
didn't want to give Snape the job:  there was a Curse on it.  It is 
in fact, a rather specific curse, if you take a little time to break 
down the history of it. All the DADA teachers have had double lives, 
or some sort of disconnect between their public and private persona. 
They have, in fact, been Jeckyll-and-Hydes. Quirrel, Lupin, and Moody 
had literally two natures in one body; Lockhart was a fraud; Umbrige 
was described by JKR as "poisoned honey"-- a sweet exterior and 
deadly interior. 
> 
> Snape was a double-agent. When the curse kicks in, the result is 
always the same: catastrophic exposure of the victim's hidden dark 
side. Snape fits the pattern perfectly.  I suspect D-dore knew the 
result of the curse was that Snape would be exposed as a Death Eater 
spy. He was only finally given the job when his position was already 
badly compromised and Dumbledore had taken a serious injury, so they 
were aware that the end-game was coming.

colebiancardi:

nothing to add - except to say - SPOT ON!!!  Very good analysis.

> 
> So, Dumbledore's end is pretty straightforward.  But what's Snape's 
angle? 
> 
> My theory is:  Snape didn't want the DADA job, he wanted the DADA 
curse.  >  .
> >  
> 
<big snip again>

colebiancardi again:

Hmmm...I don't think Snape wants any curse, nor do I believe Snape is 
suicidal.  I think that he takes a lot of risks for the greater good 
in defeating Voldy, but I think if he can figure out a way to live, 
he will do it.  If Snape's remorse to DD included killing himself, 
then what is stopping Snape from offing himself over the last 16 
years?  Nothing.  If someone is truly suicidal, they will find a way 
to kill themselves and they don't announce it.  Those who wish to be 
*saved* from harming themselves tell the world about it. 

I think Snape is a lot of things, but I cannot imagine him being 
suicidal, regardless of what he may have done in the past.  He 
doesn't behave like a person who wishes to kill themselves, so I 
cannot buy into that being the reason why DD trusts Snape so much.  
Nor, can I see JKR putting this little gem into book 7 - To kill 
oneself is not putting oneself into great personal risk, as DD 
describes Snape's conversion to the Order back in GoF - which was 
before Harry's parents were killed.  Which is why I don't sail on the 
good ship LOLLIPOPS either :)

However, I did enjoy your post up until the part of Suicidal!Snape :)

colebiancardi
(wonders if wizards ever do commit suicide?)