Snape and the DADA Job

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 157843




 zeroirregardless:
>     Maybe he doesn't want it, but Voldemort ordered him to try to 
get
> it. Voldemort could presumably lift the curse -- or at least tell
> Snape that he would.

Potioncat:
As Carol has pointed out, you've approached this from an ESE!Snape, 
and I can't fault you for that. But, consider. We know LV had a loyal 
DE in the DADA position--Barty Crouch. Yet it appears LV did not 
suspend the curse for him. I wonder if Crouch knew about the curse?
Of course, we don't know if LV can remove the curse. Maybe LV has to 
actually be at Hogwarts to do that. Maybe he wasn't strong enough 
when he was part of Quirrellmort. 


>     Having a DE as DADA teacher would have several benefits for
> Voldemort. 

Yet we don't see Barty or Severus doing any of the things I snipped. 
Both seem to be teaching the course. Snape seems adamant that Harry 
learn the skills.

>>  Of course, Snape could want the job, and Voldemort could want him
> to take it. Snape doesn't seem like someone who has that kind
> of luck, though.

Potioncat:
Young Severus Snape might have wanted the job--or wanted recognition 
for his DADA knowlege and LV could have used that to get at him. Then 
LV could have urged Snape to apply for the job to get into Hogwarts.

There is a little bit of disagreement about when the curse was placed 
on the DADA position. As early as 1955--as late as 1970s. At any 
rate, I would suspect there was a rumor of a curse without the 
verification of it. We don't really know what Snape thinks of it, or 
if he knows of it. We've seen a new DADA teacher each year, but I'm 
not sure it's canon that there has been a new one every single year 
since LV's visit (or does DD say something about it?)

To my real point. I no longer think that Snape and DD had a firm 
understanding about the position. I used to think that Snape didn't 
want it, but pretended to so that LV would think he tried to get it. 
I used to think that Snape had full knowledge of the situation. I'm 
no longer so sure. DD doesn't really seem to tell very much to anyone.

So I think we've had the red herring of Snape wanting the DADA, along 
with something of a red herring that Snape had cursed the position. 
(Prior to HBP) We may never know if he really wanted it or not. He 
certainly seemed to appreciate Potion Making. 

I am starting to feel more strongly that many of the characters are 
carrying out their own plans for their own reasons and not all or 
even many of them have anything to do with DD's plans. They are of 
course, plot driven, and determined by their own rich back stories. 
JKR decided what they say and how they act on page, and we have the 
fun of working out whether a character's actions are driven by 
personal goals or the ultimate goal.