CHAPTER DISCUSSION: Chamber of Secrets Chapter 18: Dobby's reward

[Joey Smiley]

No: HPFGUIDX 189329

> > 
> > Joey:
> > 
> > I don't think he *wanted* to teach - DD sort of gave Snape no option after unfurling the you-take-care-of-Lily's-son plan to Snape. Teaching at Hogwarts would be the easiest way to take care of Harry which is Snape chose to do that, I feel. 
> 
> Potioncat:
> Well, we know he was very interested in doing well in exams and was like Hermione in that he wanted to go over the test after taking it. I know being studious doesn't mean one wants to teach--but it shows an interest in academia.

Joey:

True and that is why I think he could do great in research. Do you think a person who *genuinely* wants to teach will be that horrible with students like Neville and Hermione? I'd think they would rather offer help to students like Neville or at least refrain from being that nasty. And I'm excluding Harry here because Snape was clearly prejudiced in his case and so, that is a different problem altogether, I think.

> Potioncat:
> I think he was pursing a position before it was given to him. How else could he explain the job to LV? "Hey boss, Dumbledore just offered me a job out of the blue?" Although, I think LV had set him the task of getting a position--I think LV wanted someone at Hogwarts. And if that's the case, it still doesn't tell us if Snape wanted to teach.

Joey:

I wonder if Voldy *planned* to have Snape at Hogwarts. I always thought he found the option useful *after* Snape explained to him what he had been doing at Hogwarts all the time Voldy was invalid. Didn't Voldy refer to him planning to punish Snape and Karkaroff (indirectly, without mentioning their names) during his "rebirthing party" in GoF?

> Potioncat:
> He doesn't seem to enjoy it, and he doesnt' seem to like the students, but he does take pride in his "higher than average pass rate" on the OWLs.

Joey:

Good points indeed and probably this is where we have different points of view. The facts that he doesn't seem to enjoy it and that he doesn't seem to like the students make me feel that he doesn't *want* to teach. You seem to consider his taking pride in his "higher than average pass rate" on the OWLs an important indicator of his attitude towards the job and yes, I must say that I understand why it may look significant to you though I personally wouldn't give this point that high an importance.

> > Joey:
> > Research, yes, sure. Healer, um, *maybe* not. I can imagine him doing a great job diagnosing problems in patients and also, performing skillful cures. His ability to control his emotions also will guard him from getting emotionaly involved with patients. Yet I feel a Healer should be smiling and gentle with the patients to enable their speedy recovery and I'm finding it tough to imagine Snape being smiling and gentle. :-) And yes, I do remember him being sort of okay with Slytherins but that would not suffice for a Healer, I think. :-)
> 
> Potioncat:
> We saw him healing DD and Draco. We know he healed what's-her-name of the necklace curse and made the mandrake potion in CoS. He also offered the antidote to the swelling draft in class in CoS and that went smoothly for all students.

Joey:

Oh yes, he can certainly be a *very skillful* Healer. It's just that I think Healers should be *really* passionate about their jobs - someone like Madam Pomfrey. I like McGonagall yet I wouldn't imagine her as a Healer, especially if I'm asked choose between her and Flitwick or her and say Sprout. 

> Potioncat:
> So, Ok, He's no Marcus Welby--Let's say his style would be more like House.
> 
> Potioncat.....what do you mean, "Who's Marcus Welby?"

Joey:

LOL. Good one. :-) I also had fun trying to imagine Alec Rickman in Snape's attire with a Marcus Welby smile. :-)

Cheers,
~Joey, who enjoyed pondering over Potioncat's arguments :-)