Dark Magic and Snape (was:Re: CHAPDISC: HBP24, Sectumsempra)

[ladymela99]

No: HPFGUIDX 161468

Bonniedune:

I think Voldemort's Dark Knowledge is linked to power, not
immortality. In one of the books he says something to the effect
that "there is no good or bad, just power and the strength to use 
it."

As someone who has been victimized, Snape would be drawn to this
concept of personal power.

For Voldemort himself, the ultimate power is immortality. As a child
he assumed that his mother could not have been a witch because she 
did
not have the power to not die.

My (Melanie) reply:

While I personally agree with you about Voldemort's need for power I 
wonder if his lack of caring what he is doing to other people just a 
mere decision on his part not to think about it.  Or perhaps, given 
Tom's sadistic thoughts he actually enjoys the power to hurt, 
torture, and kill people.  He also wants to be immortal due to the 
fact that this skill will ensure that nobody can ever take his place 
and that his legacy will continue on.

I agree Snape was more than likely drawn to Voldemort in his desire 
to gain personal power but I also think it was a chance to belong to 
a group of people.  I know that many people join a certain 
organizations, cults etc. to find a sense of family.  As sick or 
twisted as it is in many ways Snape found that he could help 
Voldemort with his wide-array of potions and charms knowledge. He 
enjoyed that he was respected by these people and that gave him 
power.  This was afterall a boy who at 15 was already creating 
spells..something I haven't even seen Harry himself do.  

I'm a little confused as to why you feel Voldemort doesn't believe 
his mother was a witch?  I have only heard him deny his father, who 
abandoned him as a child when he found out that they were in fact 
magical.  I see your point that he felt his mother was weak in 
dying.  A powerful person should want to live forever, in 
Voldemort's mindset at least.  

Melanie