Plugging my theory (was Re: A BIAS in the Pensieve: A Batty

[naamagatus]

I've replied here to several points from Neri's and Pippin's posts.

Neri:

<snip>
It is true that the more superficial vampire allusions (cold 
dungeons, billowing black cloaks, direct "bat" references) are mostly 
suggested in regard to Snape, not Voldemort. But Voldemort still 
seems to have some deeper vampirish properties: he is in some 
sense "undead". He is a parasite. He seems to take power from other 
people fearing him. As Charme noted lately the description of Ginny 
possessed by Riddle sounds vampirish. And Voldemort (or at least his 
Dark Mark) seems to exert some source of mind control over Snape and 
probably the other Death Eaters.


Naama:

The main difference is that vampires have to feed on humans, but 
Voldemort doesn't need to possess in the same way. As we saw in OoP, 
the possession is a form of attack - and, there's no evidence that he 
draws strength from it. (I'm referring here to regular, embodied 
Voldemort - not vapor or diary!Voldemort.) 

BTW - on what do you base the notion that Voldemort takes power from 
people's fear of him? From the name taboo? 


Neri:

I'm not sure how to combine the snake connections with the vampire
connections, mainly because I'm still not clear about what is the 
role the snake connection. For example, how does Harry freeing the 
Boa Constrictor in SS/PS fits into this?


Naama:

My interpretation is that it grounds the Parseltongue revelation 
later in CoS, and otherwise is an amusing adventure that serves to 
show the reader, in real time, Harry's magical abilities. I don't 
think that it necessarily has deeper meanings.


Pippin:

Unlike vampires, snakes do not have dead white skin or glowing
red eyes. Voldy does. The white skin is confirmed for the
Potterverse vampire. Some legendary vampires had the glowing
red eyes, but we don't know about Potterverse ones.


Naama:

Still, Voldemort is *explicitly* connected to snakes. I.e., it's not 
just that he has features that snakes may have (like scaly skin or 
makes hissing noises), but JKR uses the word snake when she describes 
him - and that on several levels (appearance, emotional presence, pet 
of choice ...). Compared with this, his connection with vampirism is 
slight indeed.


Neri:
> As I wrote later in that post, I tend to think that the vampire
>thing is strictly in the metaphorical level.<

Pippin:
But that is so unlike everything else in her world. Hagrid didn't
turn out to be a metaphorical giant. It seems that all the other
major species have or have had representatives on campus,
(assuming Flitwick is part goblin as the movies imply) so
shouldn't there be a vampire?

Naama:
But that's an argument for vampire!Snape, not vampire!Voldemort.



Naama