[HPforGrownups] Relationship between Snape and the Malfoys

[Magpie]

No: HPFGUIDX 142284

abcwv2004:

> Some people have reported that Snape and the Malfoys are genuine
> friends. They claim that there is real trust and friendship between
> them and that this friendship may be a reason for the UV. However,
> would you ask a real friend to make an UV? I have been thinking
> about this. Honestly, if I went to a friend and asked that person for
> help with something really important and they said they would
> help me - then I would believe them. Why ask someone that you know
> well and trust to make an UV? Makes me think that Narcissa doesn't
> trust Snape that much after all.

Magpie:

I've always thought the feelings between them were genuine--or at least the 
relationship between Snape and Draco.  They really do get along.  We just 
don't know very much about Snape's relationship with the elder Malfoys, 
except to know that others have always perceived a positive relationship 
between them.

I suspect it's complicated.  Snape potentially really was a fan of Lucius' 
back in the day, and post-Godric's Hollow both of them were eager to disavow 
Voldemort. But how they feel about each other deep down is just really 
impossible to say without knowing them better.  I don't even know how they 
interact.  Draco, in CoS, sounds as if he isn't aware of their past 
relationship (when he offers to put in a good word for him with Lucius) so 
he may think that all positive thoughts Lucius has for Snape come sort of 
through him.

With Voldemort back, I don't think the kind of trust you're describing is 
possible for anyone on that side.  They all seem to be attached to people 
they may really like but can't trust--Draco doesn't trust Snape, Snape 
doesn't trust Draco, Bella doesn't trust Voldemort or Snape, Narcissa 
doesn't trust Snape.  They all quite possibly care about each other, but 
can't trust each other or know what the other will do (Narcissa even says 
this--there's nothing I wouldn't do).  Most of them are cornered animals. 
Narcissa, no matter how she feels about Snape, has good reason to think 
she'd need something to insure Snape does what he's saying he's going to do. 
With Voldemort around there's just too many reasons he'd have to back out.

abcwv2004:


> The way Snape responds to Narcissa in Chapter 2 - is that genuine
> affection or part of a long time act to get and stay on the Malfoys'
> good side? After all, they do sound like a wealthy and powerful
> couple. Do you think Snape really likes Lucius or simply uses him
> like any good spy would? He certainly doesn't show any affection or
> concern towards Lucius in the conversation at Spinner's End nor do
> we ever hear him speak positive about Lucius in canon.

Magpie:

I don't think Snape is so much a good actor as someone who can keep his 
feelings to himself.  We've heard Lucius speaks highly of Snape but we've 
never heard Snape say a peep about Lucius that I recall.  We do see him 
seeming to have a positive relationship to his son, and we have Sirius' and 
Narcissa's word that Snape at least in the past seemed to like him a lot. 
I'm less likely to think of Snape as putting on an act around the Malfoys to 
just hiding whatever he's really feeling whenever he can.  Draco doesn't say 
much about his feelings about his father's predicament in HBP either, but 
they're under the surface.  When Snape says, "I know your father's 
imprisonment has upset you..." that's when he storms out.

I think Snape is being careful to keep any personal feelings he feels for 
anyone or anything hidden in Spinner's End.  Edging into the realm of 
speculation, I can imagine Snape seeing Lucius as beyond his help.  He's a 
grown man and he can take care of himself--he's in Azkaban, and it's 
repeated more than once that this is a *good* place to be right now.  He's 
protected without Dementors.  But I can see Snape having a number of reasons 
for focusing more on Draco, some of which have to do with his past with 
Lucius.

So yeah, I'd say that HBP showed that personal affection is a big factor in 
the actions of the characters we know who are on the other side, with 
Snape's feelings the most hidden from us.  For instance, I'd like to know 
the exact reason(s) Snape shows fear one time that I remember in canon--when 
Draco is dragged into Slughorn's party.

-m