Some (once private) thoughts on HBP/relationships/Snape's background

[Lyn J. Mangiameli]

I've had some recent correspondence with Kneasy that he's cajoled me into posting. I'm 
posting it virtually unedited, along with a second email I shared with him. One is old and 
here will follow the new, the latter being my response to Kneasy when he asked what I 
thought about the new book. I fear some of this has been brought up by others already, 
(as I haven't had time to read even a quarter of the post-HBP commentary), so my 
apologies in advance for any repetition.

My take on HBP. Just some random thoughts, the least important of which was it was 
lacking in detail and I wish it had been 150 pages longer. Way sorry we will never get more 
of DADA being taught by Snape, for example, while it was almost tedious to tick off yet 
another point inserted just to clear up a matter for the fans. Still a more pleasant read 
than OOTP.

I'm sure others have already seized on how we must now re-interpret Snape's memory of 
mother cowering before presumably his father. Much room for a wide range of speculation 
here, in particular, there is now going to be room for speculation about how Snape 
acquired his brilliance.

Some will hate all the relationship stuff, but I don't think it should be discounted. I suspect 
that relationship stuff will prove pivotal in #7, but not in the obvious way. I think three 
important relationship themes were renewed in this book.

One, that death can interrupt all relationships, but not end or diminish them.

Two, Harry being a part of a trio loyal to each other (loyalty that has been tested and 
refined and enduring), a trio that have secrets shared only within that group, and with 
DD's expressed permission and even encouragement. There has to be significance in this 
that runs well below the superficial appearance.

Three, the significance of the sacrificial aspects of the relationship between lovers I think 
will be trivialized or easily dismissed by some (particularly with respect to Fleur/Bill or 
Tonks/Lupin), but is perhaps one of the most important pieces of foreshadowing (or 
perhaps, actually backlighting) left for us. Of greatest importance is the nature of Ginny's 
relationship to Harry, how it has remained intense, mostly suppressed, and why it must be 
concealed--how it comes secondary and sacrificed to his aims and requirements, out of a 
respect for his mission (saving others, indeed the WW world) and his approach to that 
mission. Of course am I still talking about GW/HP or am I talking about ??/DD. Why am I so 
sure GW/HP relates to and is a way to prepare us for a ??/DD? It was Ginny's choice of 
words "noble reason," in my memory the word "noble" has only been used once in the 
book and it was Minerva applying it to DD (I am not, however, saying Minerva is the ??). To 
me the presence of the word "noble" was an intended tip off. I think one of the bangs of 
the last book will be us learning the ??/DD, and how it involved a lifetime of sacrifice on 
the part of at least two people, and perhaps their offspring. Now that DD is dead, the need 
for concealment will have ended.

Which brings me to the still unrevealed reason why DD so trusts Snape. So, I will again go 
out on a limb I have climbed out on in a previous post to you.* Snape may well be the 
progeny of DD, either son or grandson. In my earlier post to you, I think I primarily played 
up the Grandfather angle, but lets try the father possibility (I have no idea if the time lines 
are conceivable [sorry]). Indeed, I shall be so bold here as to suggest that there is some 
possibility that the muggle "father" of Snape is not the biological father of Snape. What if 
following an act of wizarding indiscretion, Ms. Prince becomes aware that a child is on the 
way, and the father says his relationship as father must be concealed for the child's and 
mother's safety. A muggle father might well be a fall back substitute.

Some snippets of how this might fall in line with other themes in the book.
1. Harry being hidden away with the Muggle Dursleys, and left to their abuse with the 
larger goal of protecting him. Perhaps but a successor to somewhat previous tactics of DD 
towards his own.
2. That Snape is likely the most powerful wizard in existence next to DD and LV. So where 
does he get those powers and talents, specifically with respect to Occulomency, 
Legillimancy, and Potions [OLP].
3. The repeated reminders that talents are often passed down within families. Granted DD 
has a great mastery of many things, but haven't some of his more recognizable talents 
been in the areas of OLP.
4. JKR's comments about not being able to reveal marriages etc. We still haven't had one 
revealed.
4. The reason why DD trusts Snape so completely and perhaps even, unrealistically. That 
"softy" DD cannot avoid feeling a trust and even love for his own progeny.
5. The information that Harry could not bear. The level of cognitive dissonance he could 
not master, that his most hated and most loved and admired figure were father and son 
(grandson). DD sometimes appears to actually want to tell Harry, but it appears he always 
thinks better of it.
6. Then there is the irony of the HBP. Might it well be that it is a sarcastic reference to his 
understood but unrevealed relationship to DD.
7. And finally, wouldn't it all fit in so well with Snape's disdain not only for HP's celebrity, 
but that Harry is so often associated with the accomplishments/popularity of his forbears. 
If you were the progeny of the most famous/accomplished wizard that ever lived, might it 
not be irksome to never be able to reveal that, while others go on about how Harry is so 
like the attributes (usually positive) of James and Lilly.

Then, even less likely and farther afield, (and not really believed) but Prince and Pince are 
quite close, the latter simply having lost the 'R'. Just before the funeral, I can understand 
Filch being mentioned more than Pince.

It could all be very wrong, probably is wrong, (so what else is new) but these are the 
thoughts that have been stirring since reading the book.

Oh and BTW, I don't think there is any question that Harry will return to Hogwarts. Keep in 
mind the subtitle of every book till now has been "Year X at Hogwarts."

...and the story of DD's hand was consistently postponed. Perhaps just to show how death 
interrupts the future opportunities we took for granted, but how he was damaged 
obtaining/dismantling a HorCrux may be important to Harry's future efforts, so one 
wonders if there will be some advice, if not a story, yet coming from the "other side."

Lyn

*The earlier 8\8\04 Post to Kneasy. Of course the part about the dark wizard father has 
already been proven wrong.


Just a sharing and a seeding of something that I have pondered.

What if (of course the "what ifs" in the HP series are endless), Snape is DD's grandson.

Consider it this way.

DD has a daughter that, because of DD's anti DA activities, goes unknown. This daughter 
makes a very poor choice of a spouse. The irony exists of the great champion over evil 
wizrds having his daughter freely choose to mate with a bad guy. This dark wizard abuses 
her, as well as the child they have--namely Snape. DD doesn't interfere as his daughter 
has made her choice and as long as she maintains it, he does not intrude--there is also 
the matter that he doesn't want to reveal his relationship to her for fear that the forces of 
Grindenwald will attack her.  Of course this also means that Snape is raised in an abusive 
home.

Snape comes to Hogwarts where he has been told grandad is a prestigous teacher. Here he 
again doesn't find support or public recognition from grandad (perhaps now because DD 
doesn't want to be seen as favoring, or even revealing, a family member; and perhaps 
because DD is so bothered that a descendent of his would embrace Slytherin--of course 
Snape could have chosen Slytherin just to irk and reject granDD). A few know, then or 
later, perhaps McGonagal and Hagrid, and they treat Snape with greater respect than is 
warranted, perhaps partially out of respect for DD,  but DD himself stays distant (not 
unlike he did occasionally with HP).

Worse still, DD shows first a liking for, then favoritism to JP and his friends. He even goes 
on to make JP headboy over the more academically talented Snape, and protects the 
Marauders when Snape's life is threatened. The perseived rejection Snape must feel would 
be overwhelming, and make it quite possible for him to join LV's new crew in opposition to 
everything granDD stands for.

For whatever reason, perhaps because he comes to see how despicable LV is (but likely 
something much deeper), he reconciles with grandDD and becomes willing to become a 
spy. DD now has a trust and interest in Snape for the first time, in no small measure 
because he finally sees Snape choosing to act as a Griffindor, and consistent with granDD 
values. GranDD and Snape for the first time have a meaningful relationship, one which 
leads DD to trust Snape in a way, and for reasons, he is unwilling to share with others 
(partially to protect Snape in his relationship to LV and perhaps to not undermine his 
support for Snape before the Wizengammut).

Then along comes HP, first as the focus of attention after his parents deaths, and the fall 
of LV. Later upon entering school the relationship between DD and Harry deepens with DD 
showing an interest and love that Snape, was denied as a grandchild. The resentment, 
both with respect to JP and DD must be intense. Yet in the midst of this is granDD is 
seeking Snapes assistance in the caring of this youth--a request that is specially made 
and trusted because Snape is a family member. Snape also begins to see that granDD left 
HP to the "wolves" (actually the Dursely's and Aunt Marges dog) not unlike how DD seemed 
to leave Snape.

Of course just about none of this has canon support, but if I am recalling things, it is not 
contradicted by cannon either (isn't this the way  these things always start).

Anyway, I hope it provides some passing amusement, rather than irritation.

Lyn