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

[Lyn J. Mangiameli]

--- In the_old_crowd at yahoogroups.com, "Barry Arrowsmith" <arrowsmithbt at b...> wrote:
> My
> Space
> Bar
> Is
> Almost
> Empty.
> Re-supply
> Urgently
> Requested.
> 
>snip> 

> Snape as DD progeny (1st or 2nd generation) or even, as I've suggested 
> to you off-site, uncle-nephew (Aberforth taking  centre-stage at last)
> does have a certain piquancy. Additionally, a 'mudblood' as Head of
> Slytherin House doesn't really compute, either. 

Now Lyn:
I like playing up the Aberforth connection, but I don't think it would impact Harry 
sufficiently, nor cause DD to trust sufficiently, or even help explain Snape's exceptional 
talent. I do support your early supposition that he is most apt to be the Order member to 
take center stage. Aberforth surely can provide more  DD history than anyone else. Which 
brings me to: "Who might inform Snape of his relationship to DD, if it were not DD 
himself" and I think it might likely be Aberforth. Also, who might DD have shared a private 
confidence with, and I think it might well have been his brother. Afterall, it has been 
revealed again that DD had a regular presence at (presumably) Aberforth's establishment.

If one goes with a DD/Snape family bond, then might it not be concieveable that Snape 
might choose to spend time with the one DD family member with whom he could 
acknowledge his real self. That might help explain just why Snape was even allowed at 
Aberforth's pub, and how he might not be so carefully observed if he left the common 
areas. Probably a stretch, but I do think it holds together.  
 
> 
> A sibling-type rivalry (on one side anyway) as Harry and Sevvy 'compete' 
> for DD's attention, if true, - and it could be read between as such if one is
> looking for it, could explain at least a part of the Harry/Snape mutually
> ruffled feathers.

Lyn again:
Yes, I think this does meaningfully expand the poignancy of their relationship.

I think it also draws a distinction between Snape and Harry when each are considered at a 
particular age. DD words are interesting here: "It is our choices, Harry, that show what we 
truly are...."  Why should these words be any less applicable to Snape, not just in the 
"present" but as a youth. Harry, to a significant extent, manifests almost every value DD 
holds more dear, that he (and Rowling) would want most in a son: Love, concern for 
others, bravery, loyalty, etc., in general, a Griffindor orientation to life (Yah, Harry also 
exemplifies others less desirable, but perhaps in areas not as prized). 

Snape, on the other hand, chose and displayed (particularly as a youth) almost 
diametrically opposite values. Only intelligence, (which DD shows he greatly prizes, at 
least in himself--but which interstingly JKR tries to play down otherwise), does Snape 
actively display, but still not in a manner DD would prize. 

So if one were DD, which child would he feel most drawn to, which would he most wish t 
own as a son? 

Lyn