A BIAS in the Pensieve: A Batty Idea About Snape

[nkafkafi]

> Magda wrote:
> I don't believe that Snape is a vampire.  We're two books away from
> the end and it's a little late in the game to suddenly spring a major
> revelation like this about a character who's been on the main stage
> since Book 1.  Especially since this particular character has a lot
> of backstory/Harry history to come out at the same time.
> 
> The other issue is: what's the point - plotwise - of Snape being a
> vampire?  Lupin's werewolfishness is integral to the plot in POA and
> to his character throughout the book.  What would Snape's
> vampirishness contribute to our knowledge of him?


Neri:
I personally tend to think that the vampire!Snape theory is mistaking
a metaphor for a mystery plot. I think that JKR has certainly planted
vampire suggestions in her characterization of Snape. All the sweeping
around in billowing black cloaks, the black cold eyes, living in the
cold dungeons, etc. 

Moreover, there's a JKR's drawing of Snape that can be seen, held by
Herself, in:
http://www.fictionalley.org/harryandme/profsnape.jpg

(warning: watching this picture is not recommended for those who think
Snape is sexy).
 
Except for the beard, this drawing is uncannily similar to the
pictures of Bela Lugosi as count Dracula, for example this classic
poster that even became a mail stamp: 
http://www.animationcelection.com/dracbig.htm

And yet, all the attempts to link Snape to Potterverse vampires are
shaky at best. Yes, there are several notes in the books about
vampires as dark creatures, but not more than there are notes about
hags, for example. There is the famous JKR rebuttal "Erm... I don't
think so". And as Magda wrote, what would be the point, plot wise, of
Snape being a vampire? 

So IMO the vampire thing is more of a characterization or a metaphor.
JKR isn't hinting that Snape IS a vampire, but that there's something
vampirish about Snape. What is it exactly is of course open to
speculation. Personally, I suspect that Snape is connected with Voldy
by some Dark Arts spell that makes Snape cold, perhaps part dead, and
possibly in need of consuming other people's fear in order to survive.
And such a thing would certainly be a plot point. 

Neri