Why does Dumbledore make Snape DADA teacher?

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 158438

---  "justcarol67" <justcarol67 at ...> wrote:

> >
> Carol responds:
> ... Of course, there were other reasons for hiring 
> Snape as well--no other qualified teachers available 
> and a need to bring the old Potions Master, Slughorn, 
> back to Hogwarts--but I think that Dumbledore had been
> waiting to appoint Snape to the DADA position until he
> really needed him. 

bboyminn:

I think you have hit on the real reason; there was no
one else. As someone else pointed out it's been 30 or
40 years since Voldemort cursed the position, that 
means Dumbledore has been through 30 or 40 (or 
whatever) DADA teachers. By the time we enter the story,
it looks to me like he is scraping the bottom of the 
barrel; Quirrel's incompetent, Lockhart's a fraud, 
Lupin's a werewolf, Moody is mad, and Umbridge is a 
vindictive spiteful interferring counter-productive old
b... b... b... ...witch.

There is no one left who is willing to take on the 
position except Snape. It would seem much easier to find
a new Potions teacher than to find a new DADA teacher.

To the last part of Carol's statement, I will only partly
agree. I think it is critical at this time, now that 
Voldemort is truly back and the DE's are active, to have
a REAL DADA teacher, one who knows his stuff. But I don't
think Dumbledore was holding Snape in reserve 
intentionally. I think he simply ran out of options and
had to pick the only available and qualified candidate.

As to the other ways in which Dumbledore made use of 
Snape, Snape would have been available to perform those 
functions not matter what position he held. So, 
Dumbledore really doesn't gain anything in terms of 
secondary aspects from given Snape the job.


> Carol Concludes:
>
> IMO, Dumbledore told each of those teachers that it was
> a one-year appointment and/or that the post was jinxed. 
> Can't prove it, of course, ...
> 
> Carol, who thinks that Snape is the best DADA teacher 
> Harry ever had--too bad Harry doesn't realize it
>

bboyminn:

I suspect it was common knowledge, or suspicion, that the 
DADA was /rumored/ to be cursed. I have no problem with
Dumbledore reminding candidates of the /rumor/ and 
suspect most of the candidates brought the subject up
themselves. I don't think Dumbledore hide it but I also
don't think he emphasized it. I also agree that 
Dumbledore had long ago accepted that no teacher would
stay more than a year, and so that was probably part of
the agreement.

As to your parting comment, I definitely agree. Snape was
the best DADA teacher Harry ever had, but Harry resisted
that knowledge because it came from Snape. Snape classes
dealt with things that are critical for Harry to know. He 
presented alternative ways to deal with Dementors, which
Harry rejected. He taught non-vebal magic which is 
criticial to dueling, but which Harry was terrible at. 

Snape as good as says in his parting statement that 
he had given Harry the tools he needs if he will only
accept them and learn them; controlling his emotions,
occlumency, non-verbal magic, etc....

"No Unforgivable Curses from you, Potter. ...You haven't
got the nerve or the ability--."

"Blocked again and again and again until you learn to 
keep your mouth shut and your mind closed, Potter!"

Just a few thoughts.

Steve/bboyminn