First lesson WAS: Re: Marietta, was Slytherin's Reputation

[sistermagpie]

No: HPFGUIDX 185698

> > Magpie:
> <snip> I thought his hesitation about whether or not Lily could be a
> Slytherin was a small boy knowing it was a problem but hoping it
> didn't apply to Lily. <snip>
> 
> Carol responds:
> But he didn't hesitate about whether Lily could be a Slytherin. His
> saying to her on the Hogwarts Express that she'd better be in
> Slytherin (where he hopes and expects to be Sorted) is what starts the
> incident with James and Sirius. No hesitation at all. He mistakenly
> believes that she can be Sorted there. After all, he also mistakenly
> believes that it's the House for "brains" (which suggests that he's
> never heard of Ravenclaw).

Magpie:
I don't have the book with me, but I was referring to the moment when 
she first asks him about it. By the time he's on the train he's 
convinced himself she can be Sorted into Slytherin but I seem to 
remember a pause in the original conversation putting a spotlight on 
Snape having a moment of hesitation before deciding that of course his 
friend could get Sorted there with him--she's awesome.
 
Like I said, I don't have the passage in front of me but I have a 
strong memory of thinking that scene was already foreshadowing the 
tragedy of Snape's life. I thought he had already been exposed to the 
idea, he just couldn't fully understand the implications yet, 
especially only knowing one Muggleborn whom he loves. He ignored or 
couldn't understand the danger of Slytherin values yet. 

-m