Requiescat in Pace, My Dark Phoenix (It's a little late and a lot long :)

[Talisman]

No: HPFGUIDX 151633

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "andrea1270" <andrea1270 at ...> 
wrote:
> <snipped to address Spinners End, mostly>
>  Zgirnius wrote:
 My bottom line objection to your theory (and also 
> > the Spinner's End Snape was Dumbledore theory)... > > Talisman:
the magnanimity of his actions.
>
andrea1270: 
>snip<I find more compelling clues that Dumbledore may 
> have been impersonating Snape at Spinner's End than I find for a 
> Dumbledore/Snape switch in the cave and beyond. 

Talisman:

While I'm all for a rejuvenated look at the texts, and differing 
opinions, I feel compelled to clarify that  my Dark Phoenix theory 
unequivocally posits that it was Snape--and no imposter--at Spinners 
End. 

Frankly, while I enjoy the slight progress this chapter offers in 
terms of character revelation, I find it in accord with what we 
already know, rather than contradictory.

We know Snape is cordial with the Malofys, so it is not at all out 
of character for him to welcome Narcissa to his home.

Moreover, understanding that Book 6 would mirror Book 2 (i.e. offer 
the same pattern, but reversed, I predicted--prior to HBP's release--
that we would find evidence of an emotional relationship between 
Snape and Narcissa.  

Here's a little exert I shared with friends, on the topic of Snape 
and 2/6 reversals, on the eve of the Book 6 release.  (The *EFA* is 
the acronym for a theory that deals with Jane Austin's plotting 
devices):

---------------------------------------------------------------------

From: "Talisman" <talisman22457 at yahoo.com> 
Date: Thu Jul 14, 2005  12:45 am 
Subject: Just A Bit More On EFA 
[message 23]:

Snape is a great reversed image of Lockhart. You've got the honking 
peacock with the carefully curled blonde hair vs the brooding, 
taciturn powerhouse with greasy locks. 

That marvelous, gleaming award-winning smile vs those yellow, uneven 
fangs. (Sorry, couldn't help it.) 

Lockhart was publishing his B.S. books and always noising around 
about how great he was, while really being hopelessly inept at 
magic. I think it's an easy guess that Snape has quietly done mighty 
deeds and that he is powerfully, powerfully magic. 

Okay, so I would predict that the side of Snape that will be 
revealed in Book 6 involves all those characteristics antithetical 
to Lockhart. 

EFA may also shed some light on his relationship with Narcissa. I 
would call Narcissa a good counter to Molly. 

Where Molly had a ridiculous crush on Lockhart, Narcissa may have 
the long-suffering real thing for Snape. 

We know we'll get to see more of her in Book 6, so why not. 

As an aside, I think part of the enmity between Sirius and Snape may 
be that, as a youth, Snape was more welcome at Grimmauld Place than 
Sirius was. That surly "this is my house" business in OoP has the 
ring of it. 

If Narcissa still had to marry Lucius to please Dad and Mum, maybe 
it has to do with a little problem with Severus' blood. Maybe he's a 
halfblood. 

After all, Rowling ruled out Muggle-Born, but wouldn't answer the 
question of whether he was a pureblood. *I* certainly think he's a 
prince. : P 
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------
Voila.

In this light, a mere friendly welcome is well within expectations.

If anyone has not yet read Snape as a more complex character, now is 
the time to do so.  The he's-just-such-a-bastard train, which has 
always been on the wrong track, is about to go over the cliff.

We have known since Book 1 that Snape is willing to look bad for the 
cause, and that his motivations are generally other than they seem.

In addition to watching him play bodyguard to Harry, we have seen 
small glimpses of his softer side, even prior to HBP.

E.g. He grips the chair when McGonagall reports that a student has 
been taken to the Chamber in Book 2; he rushes forward--with obvious 
relief and  happiness--to greet McGonagall's return from hospital in 
OoP, etc. 

No, my reading holds that, not only is Snape who he seems to be at 
Spinner's End, but that the scene confirms the series-long 
development of the character.

Even his decision to live in that Muggle slum--to which we may well 
find he has familial ties--bespeaks his characteristic lack of 
vanity.

His disdain for Wormtail, contempt for Bellatrix, and emotional bond 
with Narcissa, are all clues worth keeping.

Talisman, who also has a long response for zgrinius, which will 
appear as time permits.