[HPforGrownups] Snape's class (was Re: HBP chapters 21-23 post DH look

[Philip]

No: HPFGUIDX 184406

NB: Combining multiple posts on the same lesson:

<snip all but signature from Carol's post>
Carol, wondering whether there's a difference between an Inferius 
and a zombie.

Philip replies:

As the zombies in Harry Potter are mentioned only as: 

"His turban, he[Quirrel] told them, had been given to him by an 
African prince as a thank-you for getting rid of a troublesome 
zombie, but they weren't sure they believed this story." 

it is entirely possible they are one and the same. That said, 
the need for the addition of the word "troublesome" suggests 
they aren't normally a problem, ergo zombies may be construed 
to be 'mindless' and inferi as 'controlled'.

 
According to the Harry Potter Wikia: 

"Inferius" is  <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latin_language> 
Latin for "underneath; below." It could also be a tampered 
form of "inferus", or "the dead; underworld." As  <http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/J.K._Rowling>
Rowling sometimes changes real Latin words to form some
<http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Incantation> incantations, 
or names of 
<http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Creatures> creatures or 
people, it could well be that the second meaning is the 
correct one.

So perhaps Inferius are also similar to the Mordor Orc, unable 
to work in direct sunlight. Given that Voldemort can use the 
Dementors to work the weather however, they would still pose 
a tangible threat worthy of mention in the Daily Prophet.

Obviously this is all total speculation though.


> Potioncat:
> Well, this is really tongue in cheek you know. But Snape--being 
> Snape--could have taken points from Harry for talking. Instead 
> he turns the question on Harry and responds to the answer with 
> sarcasm. So Snape---being Snape---allowed the points Harry might 
> have earned to cancel out the points he might have lost.

Alla says:

Ah. Thanks for clarifying. But my question was serious. You said 
Snape gave Harry points and I wanted to know where it is in canon.

 
Philip replies:

I think Potioncat isn't referring to the actual text. He/she is 
just noting that if a student answers gaining even partial 
credit they normally earn a point or so. However in this instance 
any points he would have earned would have been cancelled by the 
lateness. So Snape simply moves on.


Potioncat notes:

<snip>

He does go on to explain, "It is not alive, it is merely used 
like a puppet to do the wizard's bidding." I wonder if Snape 
ever felt like that?--you know, a bit inferior?


Philip responds:

I think that this scene is given to Snape for this reason. 
He displays characteristics of both creatures. Ghosts are 
transparent, an imprint of a departed soul. Lily Potter has 
departed many years ago, but an imprint of her is left on 
Snape, something no-one can touch, taste, smell or feel - 
his Patronus and actions. Inferi are directed, controlled 
and operated by a powerful wizard, a pawn thrust out into 
battle. In the same way, Dumbeldore and Voldemort both 
sacrifice Snape and others to advance their aims. Nor does 
Snape care whether he lives or dies so long as he fulfils 
what he sees as his purpose. To him he has already failed, 
so his life is freely given, to redeem himself.

In another way he is not at all like them. His character is 
nothing is not transparent to the reader, lying beneath a 
poker face and an intricate web of lies and falsehoods. As 
a Professor he is seen not to be inferior, as a Death Eater 
he is given the seat to Voldemort's immediate right in DH 
chapter 1 pg 11 - something that indicates trust (and of 
course Voldemort values only power) and slain by Voldemort 
himself. As a member of the Order he is trusted unequivocally 
by Dumbeldore.

So yes, I think this scene is interesting for many reasons.

Philip