[HPforGrownups] Re: Hermione must be stopped/Snape's half truths in "Spinner's End"

[Magpie]

No: HPFGUIDX 149649

> houyhnhnm:
>
> I don't understand.  Why does there have to be a relationship between
> them? If she can bring down DD's only known spy in Voldemort's camp,
> then she's a threat to DD, the Order, Hogwarts, Harry, the defeat of
> LV, and the whole Wizarding World.  This is not enough to risk one's
> life over?

Magpie:
My point isn't that she can't, physically, be a threat.  I'm talking about 
the drama in the story.  Is there really much to be gained by Bellatrix 
LaStrange suddenly becoming a central character?  I *don't* think she's a 
character who dramatically should be able to take down the greatest spy this 
way. Bellatrix can be the person who makes the vow happen, but I think 
Snape's got to take it for reasons that go to the heart of who he is, not 
the passing need to shut Bellatrix LaStrange up one night. That, imo, is 
just a device, and I don't think the vow is just a device.
>
> Magpie:
>
>> Us seeing it makes all the difference, though.
>
> houyhnhnm:
>
> Why?  Sirius turns up (his head anyway) in GoF with shorter hair.  We
> don't have to see him getting a haircut to make the reasonable
> assumption that he did so.

Magpie:
Getting a haircut is a totally superficial, shallow thing!  The point is you 
don't want to treat possibly the most important thing about a character like 
a haircut.  I'm talking about the entire creation of a character here. 
JKR's really clear about characters and their motivations. Having Snape 
brought down by a stupid risk is like having Snape brought down by wanting 
to be liked or trusting people too much.  It's not what his character is 
about, so I don't think JKR is going to make his story turn on it.  In life 
or death situations, I think characters show their true colors in HP.

-m