[HPforGrownups] CHAPTER DISCUSSION PS/SS 11, QUIDDITCH

[Happy Smiley]

No: HPFGUIDX 188410

>3. When Harry & Ron express their belief that Snape had tried to get past the three-headed dog to whatever it was guarding, Hermione says, "No – he wouldn't. I know he's not very nice, but he wouldn't try and steal something Dumbledore was keeping safe." Ron snaps back, "Honestly, Hermione, you think all teachers are saints or something. I'm with Harry, I wouldn't put anything past Snape" [p. 183]. 

This exchange seems to express much of the crux of the mystery which surrounded Snape all the years we waited for the conclusion of the series: Is he the kind of person about whom one could rightfully say "I'd never put anything past him"? Or is he to be trusted never to go against something Dumbledore has asked of him? 

Joey:

Well, Ron did sound right when I read the book for the first time. Snape's loyalty to Hogwarts / DD was voiced out only by Hagrid and Hermione - no other incident seems to illustrate that point at this juncture of Book 1.
 

>Was JKR thinking that far ahead at this point?? 
 

Joey:
 

I think so. She seems to have sketched all her characters at a high-level (the outline, at least) before she started writing the books.
 

>Do Harry, Ron and/or Hermione ever change their basic opinion as expressed here at any point before the final reveal on Severus Snape?
 

Joey:
 
 
Ron never changed his basic opinion. Harry seems to have had after thoughts post the SWM chapter in OoTP though it is back to usual in HBP. Hermione changes during mid Book 1, is back to her basic opinion by end Book 1 and changes again post HBP climax till the final reveal on Severus Snape.
 

Cheers,
~Joey :-)


      

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]