The handwriting in the book (Was: Lily and Snape)

[Jen Reese]

No: HPFGUIDX 140417

Carol:
> I really don't understand why so many posters seem to be trying to
> suggest that the hints Harry benefits from in NEWT Potions are not 
the
> HBP's. We know Snape is a Potions genius. We know he's the HBP. We
> know, as I've said a dozen times, that the notes are in his
> handwriting and that the spells are his own inventions. There's no
> solid evidence that anyone helped him, only Slughorn's statement that
> Lily was also good at Potions and the discredited idea that the
> handwriting looks like a girl's. (We *know* it's isn't.) Why give the
> credit for his Potions improvements to anyone else and spoil the
> delicious irony of Harry (finally) learning from Snape and of Ron
> (indirectly) owing Snape his life?

Jen: I believe the text demands the work in the book be Snape's. The 
relationship being explored in HBP is the Harry/Snape relationship, 
and the importance of Harry learning from the potion's book what has 
been difficult for him to learn from Snape in person. The point being 
Harry *can* learn from Snape. Another big example of how the two are 
connected is that Dumbledore's trust led both of them to be present on 
the tower that night, leading to Snape revealing himself as HBP to 
Harry. 

More on the Harry/Snape connections starting here: 
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/140230

Lily was important in HBP because of her relationship with Slughorn, 
and how ultimately Slughorn's feelings about Lily led him to give 
Harry the Horcrux memory. His feelings for Lily may also have 
influenced his decision to work at Hogwarts, although there's no 
direct text for that. He was simply talking nostalgically about her 
with Harry when they meet for the first time. Meaning, I don't think 
the Lily connection is this book is so much about potions as about 
Slughorn.

Jen