Sexy Snape

[Deb]

No: HPFGUIDX 139638

(Snip 
> Elyse rolls up her sleeves, takes a deep breath and plunges in:

> The man has a presence. (Snip)

Deb adds: And he is a presence about the school. Usually the first 
one on hand when ever a student is in trouble, or there are odd 
goings on in the middle of the night. 
 
>Elyse:
> There is also the fact that Snape demonstrates great expertise in 
> Potions, creating the Wolfsbane Potion
> and Veritaserum, both of which are rare and difficult mixtures.
 (Snip)
 
 Deb adds: It has always seemed to me that the way he would have 
proven to Dumbledore that he was sincere in his remorse about 
telling LV of the prophacy - go to DD's office with a vial of 
Veritaserum and tell DD that he *must* use Legilemens to verify what 
Snape is telling him. I think Snape would have opened his mind and 
his emotions and his memories to DD in order to show him the "truth, 
the whole truth, and nothing but the truth" under conditions that DD 
could not refute.  

>Elyse:  
> He is an exteremely powerful wizard. (snip)

Deb adds: IMO Snape is as powerful a wizard as DD in his prime and 
probably as powerful as LV. In book 7 I hope Hermione gets a chance 
to have go at all those "books, most of them bound in old black or 
brown leather" that cover the walls of Snape's sitting room at 
Spinner's End. Bet there is a wealth of information there about 
potions, Dark Arts, Defences against Dark Arts, etc.  

>Elyse:
>We have been told any number of times that he is a superb Occlumens 
(Snip)

 Deb adds: An Occulmens of Snape's stature would be able to hide 
just about anything he wants... for a while any way. My hunch is 
that he is lying to LV and the DEs because he spends less time with 
them. I think that Occulmency takes a great deal of concentration 
and focus... I would suspect that it would be very difficult to 
maintain that level of concealment for extended periods of time. It 
makes more sense to me that he spent the 13+ years between LV 
becomeing Vapomort and LV reappearing in the graveyard being able to 
relax and not worry that DD would "catch" him in a lie.... he'd 
already bared his soul and his psyche to DD so he had nothing left 
to hide. Where as, if as I suspect, he is "Dumbledore's man through 
and through", he would have a lot to hide from LV!    

(Snip)
>Elyse:
> We know he was intelligent in school.
(Snip) 
> He always has an "unfathomable" expression on his face. (Snip)
 
Deb adds: The word "inscrutable" comes to mind.... he usually has a 
great poker face... one can not generally read his true emotions 
just by looking at his facial expression 

>Elyse:
> When asked for an opinion, he gives the naked brutal truth. (Snip)

Deb adds: I think his nastiness may also stem from the fact that he
will be Legilemensed by LV when ever he goes back into LV's 
presence. In order to maintain the facade that he is a "loyal" DE he 
must never, ever, ever have any hint of positive emotions toward 
Harry lurking within his memory. LV being the paranoid person he is, 
would instantly suspect that Snape was a double agent if he caught a 
whiff of anything other than contempt for Harry.... and for Harry's 
friends. As for his teaching abilities.... well he also taught Fred 
and George, makers some pretty incredible potions/concoctions 
themselves - I'd be they were in NEWTs Potions before they left 
Hogwarts. He taught Bill, Charlie, and Percy Weasley... each of whom 
got 10-12 OWLS. He taught the Ravenclaws in NEWTs Potions with Harry 
as well as Ernie McMillan (and none of them needed a "loaner" 
potions book so apparently they all got "O"s on their Potion OWL.)  

>Elyse:
> Last but not least, the fact that he is a double agent speaks for 
> itself no matter which side he is on. In the ESG!Snape scenario,
> lets not forget that he went to Voldemort, one hour late, to 
> possile, even probable death, without so much as a tremor.
> "You know what I must ask you to do. If you are ready . . . if
> you are prepared ..."
> 
> "I am," he says.
> 
> This shows "pure nerve and outstanding courage". 
> Alongwith this bravery, remember he has successfully walked a 
> tightrope between both sides for a few years now. I am sure it 
> called for 
> resourcefulness, quick thinking, sharp observation skills,
> Oscar-worthy acting, fast decision making abilities, remaining 
calm 
> in a crisis,complete inner confidence, sureness of purpose.
> 
> To sum up, here is a man, with skillful expertise and a passion 
for 
> Potions (and DADA). An extremely competent, amazingly powerful 
> wizard, possibly the greatest Occlumens the world has ever seen.
> A paragon of self control, intelligent and creative, with a brutal 
> honesty. His incredible courage of course is beyond question.
> 
> I hate to use your own quote against you but:
> JKR:However, everyone should keep their eye on Snape, I'll just 
say 
> that because 
> there is *more to him* than meets the eye......
>  
> Elyse

Oh, I am in agreement with you Elyse! I think you have outlined the 
key points of the real Snape very well, IMO. I would also add that 
he is a very accomplished healer as well as Potions master, DADA 
expert, Occulmens Par excellente, and very accomplished Legilemens 
also.  He heals Draco after the Sectumsempra and he stabilizes Katie 
Bell after the necklace gets her.