[the_old_crowd] The Potions Master

[Susan Albrecht]

Kneasy wrote: 
".... even stopper death..."
Thus spake Snape in PS/SS.

Can't speak for those on the other side of the water
but in the UK the generally accepted usage of stopper
(as a verb) is to block, prevent, curtail, seal off,
obstruct, stop; much the same meaning as the phrase 
"put a cork in it" when you want somebody to shut up.
Which would mean that Snape can prevent death.

Kathryn added:
Of course when I mentioned that possible meaning over
on HPfGUs I got told by several posters that I was
misunderstanding and confusing the word stopper with
stop and he simply meant he could make poisons.


SSSusan:
I remember that exchange, Kathy, and I was one of the
ones who thought you were *right.*  From the moment I
first read that speech of Snape's, this American
interpreted it along the lines of what Kneasy's
described.  That is, something along the lines of put
a stopper *in* it, or prevent it, or slow it down.

Kathryn:
I could see that actually - him advertising a
capability that it isn't in his interests to advertise
just because he's one of only a few people who can do
it and he's darn proud of himself.

SSSusan:
I think you may be right on this, too, and I've got
more to say on this later... it relates to something
I've been tossing around about Snape for a few days...
but the info I need is elsewhere just now.  

Maybe I can draw another two paragraphs out of you
then, K.

Siriusly Snapey Susan