A Dark Glamour - Voldemort's Appeal

[a_svirn]

No: HPFGUIDX 179030

> lizzyben:
> 
> You're right that Voldemort's actual protection was uncertain at 
> best, 
> but from a teen's POV, I think it would look differently. For 
Snape, 
> the DE's seemed powerful, respected, feared. They'd be the coolest 
> baddest gang on the block. Pre-DH, it seemed like Snape might have 
> joined up to get protection from the Mauraders. 

a_svirn:
Even for pre-DH Snape it doesn't really seem to work. Judging from 
his "worst memory" he got precious little protection from his house-
mates. Actually, if it was protection from the Marauders he wanted 
his best bet was to stick to Lily. Besides, we know that he followed 
them around spying and probably trying to get them expelled. It's the 
behaviour of someone who seeks trouble rather than protection.

> lizzyben:
That might still be 
> the case, but now I'd say it was more protection from the world in 
> general. IMO joining this group would give Snape a sense of 
> protection & safety; in the sense that being part of any group 
> protects one individual. It's the protection that most people find 
> in a family or circle of friends. Lacking that, people (especially 
> young men) can turn to gangs instead. I don't think that it's the 
> *main* reason, but it's an important one, & the best fit of the 
> three categories Mike mentioned. 

a_svirn:
Oh yes, in that sense I agree. Though I wouldn't call it protection. 
The other two you mentioned upthread – affirmation and affection – 
suit better. He was unpopular, a loner and he wanted to belong. And 
the junior death eater league was elite of a sort in Slytherin. Does 
it mean that he was weak? He seemed to be emotionally crippled, 
almost pathetic in his neediness and that is certainly a weakness. He 
was weak in the same sense Lupin was weak, but it's not the sort of 
weakness that brought the likes of Pettigrew to Voldemort.