Part 4 - A Tale of Two Pretties

[Goddlefrood]

No: HPFGUIDX 167837

> Goodlefrood wrote:

> > Simply Snape's patronus is Nagini. 

> > There is little support for this and from the matters in GoF, 
> > particularly relative to the Foe Glass it is almost certainly
> > incorrect. 

> Julie:
> The problem with figuring out Snape's Patronus is that he has
> used it to communicate with the Order. 

Goddlefrood:

It is not a problem that excludes speculation :). That's why this
part of the thread is entitled the downright ridiculous part. It 
is not known what form Severus's Patronus takes, but it's always 
fun to speculate. This part is hardly supportable at all. If 
anyone thinks otherwise then I would be interested to see them 
try.

Oh, and btw, the reference to a Phoenix was to a recent thread
where it was put forward that Snape's animagus form might be
Fawkes. That, IMO, is as unlikely as his Patronus form being
Nagini :)

I agree that there is not much at all to go on to give a really
concrete opinion as to how Patronus forms come about. We do know
that the form of a Patronus can change (Tonks's for one). It may 
be, as suggested later in Julie's post, that the subconscious 
determines the form.

> Julie:

> So either Snape's Patronus is something apparently innocuous
> that may turn out to have a hidden meaning (say, his mother,
> if she were to turn out to be Irma Pince, who's also been
> spying in some way for Dumbledore all along)...or Snape's
> Patronus is something actually innocuous (say, his mother
> again, if she turns out to be dead or have little role) and
> it will *change* in DH to reflect a new protector/guardian
> (a bee or phoenix for Dumbledore, or this would be the time
> for Nagini, if Snape is ESE and loyal to Voldemort).

Goddlefrood:

If there is any link at all then this suggestion would be a good
one. It seems an eminently sensible and sustainable argument as 
to how a Patronus form might reflect an inner being. It would
also further explain why JKR would not give any clue in the
interview I referred to earlier as to why she could not disclose
what either Snape's Patronus or Boggart.

> Julie:
> I can buy this boggart, since no one else but Snape has to 
> have ever seen it. Of course such a boggart rather suggests
> a DDM!Snape, if he's so deeply regretful about the Potters'
> deaths (as Dumbledore also stated).

Goddlefrood:

Thank you. It would be suggestive of a DDM Snape, but certainly not 
conclusive. I like my version of Severus as outlined throughout
part 3 of this series and, as with us all, eagerly anticipate
Deathly Hallows to see whether I am anywhere near being correct :)

I can't say I'd be entirely disappointed if I were wrong about 
Snape's loyalties. I'll enjoy Deathly Hallows however he turns
out.

> Julie:

> I can't envision Harry and Snape teaming up early in the
> book either, though I hope they do so in the final push to
> defeat Voldemort. 

Goddlefrood:

I agree on this point, I do hope Snape is not working against 
Harry for reasons set out in part 4.

> Julie:

> Aren't you then hoping that Snape will be DDM? I do expect
> Aberforth to be an ally for Harry, possibly a very powerful
> one, no matter how Snape's character plays out. 

Goddlefrood:

My comments were not meant to be interpreted as me favouring a
DDM Snape. I do not. I favour a Snape who assists Harry for
another reason, and not necessarily because he is DDM, I hope
that's clear ;)

> Goodlefrood:

> > (ii) The smoky white matter that took the shape of a phoenix 
at Dumbledore's funeral I predict will be DD's last message to 
Snape, whom DD did trust, whether misguidedly or otherwise :)

> Julie:

> I haven't heard that theory before, but it is an interesting
> one. I wonder what message would Dumbledore have sent? 

Goddlefrood:

The reason this came to me was because that smoky Phoenix form
must mean something. It is described in a very similar way to
the first time we come across Patronuses as a communication tool, 
before we knew the Order used them, that is in GoF where a
Patronus is sent to Hagrid for assistance after Krum is found in 
the woods. Read that sequence to see what I mean :)

That led me to the thought that this may be DD's last message to
either Snape or the Order in general.

I did, btw, think DD was dead even before that was confirmed, but 
I'm not one to boast ;). There's a post somewhere in the archives
to prove that.

Goddlefrood