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Snape Clues

by David Haber

These are the clues contained in the pages of Harry Pottter and the Half-Blood Prince which support the possibility that Snape is not really a Death Eater, has remained loyal to Dumbledore, and all through the book, Snape is working on Dumbledore's Orders.

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Reader Comments: (Page 9)

snape has to be a eater in the fourth book he shows his dark mark to karkaroff

Posted by cartage from redding ct on November 25, 2006 6:17 PM

Snape definitely WAS a eater, that's a fact everyone knows, that's why he has the dark mark. But Dumbledore says he reformed. So, the question is not was Snape ever a eater, the question is, is he one now?

And, even if he's on our side, I would expect Snape's dark mark to continue functioning (getting darker when Valuemart wants him) because nobody cancelled that magic...

Posted by Dave Haber from Los Angeles, CA on November 25, 2006 6:26 PM

To Danielle: Your theory of Wormtail taking the polyjuice potion was very daring, but I don't think it's possible because of the injured are. When someone takes the polyjuice potion they are completely transformed into the other person with no lingering features of their own body. It's also not the same injury at all. ( a missing finger is not a withered arm). But, points for outrageousness.

On another note. Snape changed sides before Lily's perhaps, but the reason remains the same. He changed sides when he realized what v. meant to do to her and her family. He regretted telling v. the prophecy before thinking it through and what the consequences would be.

I think that Snape also knew that Dumbledore was after the horcruxes because he's no dummy and wouldn't he have figured it out when he saw Dumbledore's are. He was the first person DD called for to tend his injury afterall. Who else would be powerful enough to cause DD that kind ofinjury. Eeven had he not known about the horcruxes per se, he would definately have gone running to his master V. with this new development. But he didn't, otherwise V. would have become suspicious and put more safeguards onhis horcruxes.

The other thing is about what he say to Harry as he is running away after ing DD. I had some trouble getting around it with it at first. Why would he brag about being the Halfblood prince to Harry unless he was truly evil. The answer is he was giving Harry a clue. He knew for sure that Harry had his old potions book because of the sectum sempra spell and Malfoy and legilimens. My theory is that he purposely provoked Harry with this last parting exchange so that Harry would go back for the dreaded book and in order to find some way to defeat Snape. Snape did this because there is some clue or tip in this book that help Harry defeat V. That means Harry definately come back to Hogwarts next year, if only to get that book.

Another theory, not Snape-related is, that he Ron and Hermione all become Animagi next year. Harry be a stag and H. a badger. Let's see if I'm right.

Posted by Pamela from Munich on November 26, 2006 1:13 PM

Pamela
I think you really delivered us a new CLUE that Snape could be on the "good side". Your observation why Snape told Harry that he is/was the HALF-BLOOD PRINCE makes definitely sense!

Lets recap: When in HBP Chapter 24 SECTUMSEMPRA, Snape comes into the bathroom, he understood at first glance what had happened to Draco. Without asking any question he knew EXACTLY what curse had hid Draco and saved him from either or terrible faith (I should of realized already there, that Snape was the HBP)

He then wanted to know from Harry who taught him that spell. When he did not believe Harry, that he saw that spell in a library book, he used his talent of Legilimency and READ where Harry had seen it. Harry returns with Ron�s copy of Advanced Potion-Making, and he knows instantly that Harry is lying. It gets even better, with full KNOWLAGE he lets Harry get away with it. Though he gives him the longest detention he had so far!

Returning to your comment about Snape provoking Harry. Now it makes absolutely sense why Snape yelled at Harry telling him that he was the HALF-BLOOD PRINCE! He knew that Harry had his old Potions book. Why would a smart and cunning wizard like Snape have the urge to tell him that he was the HBP?, Unless like you remarked, he wanted him to have another look at that book!

Harry now believes that Snape is evil and he not put it aside that in that Advanced Potion-Making book could be something he must in any circumstance know. We all know what that is, yes about Horcruxes. I wouldn�t be surprised if Hermione or Ron tell him to get the book back.

Did you also notice, to what means Jo went, to let us (the reader) know where that trouble-making book is hidden now?

The "Snape is bad believers" I am sure find a flaw in this theory (that is their rightful privilege) but lets us consider; if Severus Snape is not helping Harry in the end to defeat Lord Voldemort, what was the purpose of building up the character of Professor.

Posted by Mistral from Switzerland on November 27, 2006 04:12 AM

In tOotP(bv) durring the battle at the ministry, Morty fires the ing curse at DD and fawks appears to swallow it.

If DD's on the tower was not pre-planned, why did Falks not do the same?

Posted by Kevin from Wisconsin on November 27, 2006 12:18 PM

Ok. so over the holiday I re-read HBP.
I still think Snape would like to be on the "right" side, he just finds he can't stand many of the members of the Order....
Lupin,'Dung,Serius,(eventually)Harry,Ron,Hermione...
I think he has also resigned himself to the fact that he not survive the final battle...
I think he was trying to show Harry that he could not Hope to beat Morty if he couldn't beat Snape.
I still say Snape show up at #12....he may or may not get the chance to explain his actions...
I'm ing to bet Proff. Flitwick would love to "discuss" Snape cursing him durring the "Battle of Hogwarts".

Posted by Kevin from Wisconsin on November 27, 2006 12:57 PM

I just reread the Sorcerer's Stone and noticed that the first time Harry sees Snape, his scar hurts. Does anyone have a clue why?

Posted by Harald from Germany on November 27, 2006 2:45 PM

That's a red-herring. We are made to believe, because Harry thinks it, that Snape made his scar hurt. But Snape was sitting next to Quirrell at the time, it's Quirell that caused it, but we don't find that out until the end of the book.

Posted by Dave Haber from Los Angeles, CA on November 27, 2006 2:48 PM

Question...

Harry and Snape's Occulmens(sp?) classes went poorly...
or did they?
Is it possible that Snape could have left "hidden instructions" that help Harry learn to close his mind?
Snape telling Harry, that Harry won't be able to attack him(Snape) untill he learns to close his mind is way to force Harry to work harder at closing his mind.
Right now, Harry wants Snape as much as he does Morty.

IF he has to learn to close his mind to get him,
He .

Posted by Kevin from Wisconsin on November 28, 2006 09:07 AM

Snape is a wonderfully complex creature. This thread is great, but I still have some Outstanding Snape Issues:

1. Snape, Bella & Narcissa share a "drink" the night they visit Snape's home (if you can call it that). I believe Wormtail, reluctantly, fetches the "refreshments" from the kitchen.

- Was Wormtail's reluctance just a visceral reaction to an order from Snape or does he know/suspect the beverage has been tampered with? Personally, I would be suspicious of any beverage offered from such an adept potions' master. Wouldn't Bella be a tad worried?

2. We know Snape is a very accomplished Occulmens. Therefore, why in GOF does Snape accuse Harry of stealing supplies from his personal stock & when Harry denies it Snape says, "Don't lie to me!" Shouldn't Snape have known that Harry hadn't been stealing from him (at least on this occassion)? Also, in one of the earlier books there is a scene where Harry is under the cloak immobilized by the invisible missing step. Snape "senses" someone there, but does find or identify Harry. Again, why not use occulmens to find out who is hiding? This ties into someone's theory that perhaps the cloak was made by the same crew as the Marauder's Map - which Snape could also not figure out. We certainly know Snape knows about the cloak and has nothing but distain for it as he makes some snide comment to Harry about it being "very useful" - as if the cloak has annoyed him many times in the past.

Finally, this is sort of unrelated, but why is Harry so rich? I've always assumed his maternal muggle side was of modest means & the Potter side is very sketchy - although if they were even close to being as wealthy as the Malfoy's wouldn't we have heard of other "Potters" which we never do. Couldn't JKR have written the story with Harry being "middle-class" - why so much $$ left to him?

Thoughts anyone?

3. In HBP when Snape screams at Harry, "DON'T CALL ME A COWARD!" we finally see Snape ruffled & out of control. Granted, they are in the midst of an extremely stressful situation, but it is so un-Snape like. As mentioned by other on this site, I think has significant meaning - but what? As someone mentioned, Snape perhaps views his younger self as having been cowardly - so this comment really touched a nerve with Snape. This is, of course, the obvious explanation & we know that JKR likes to layer, so I think there is deeper meaning here. Perhaps this ignites Snape because he is "good" and has just showed incredible bravery by carrying out DD's plan - putting himself in great peril. He may also know that he most likely have to sacrifice himself as all is told in the final book with the final confrontation w/ Lord V - which he most likely not survive.

Posted by AJ from PA, USA on November 28, 2006 11:45 AM

Kevin
I liked your idea that Snape left HIDDEN INSTRUCTION to Harry. Most certainly not a MEMORY, since Harry hates Snape at the end of the HALF-BLOOD PRINCE as much as Voldemort and he wouldn�t believe a word Snape said.

It would make sense though, if he went to the room of Requirement and got Snape�s Advanced Potion-Making book back. Harry watched Snape �� Professor Dumbledore and in his eyes Snape is Voldemort�s henchman. What better way to get instructions, than to have a go at your enemy and beat him with his own weapons!

What do you make of this thought? Because I think that our ex-Potions Master, told Harry for a reason that he was the HALF-BLOOD PRINCE!

Posted by Mistral from Switzerland on November 28, 2006 1:15 PM

I have some thoughts,

1. I have NO idea why any one would unquestioningly take a beverage in the house of such an accoplished potionier...
for all we know, Snape did "spike the punch" so to speak.

2. Snape tells Harry during their first class that "reading minds" often requires eye contact, and that distance matters in magic..

I always thought it was a bit funny that Harry seemed to have so much money too....
but them I thought about how when something tragic happends and children are left parentless communities often donate money to help support the child.
Now, if that child is credited with defeating the greatest dark wizard of a generation, the community at large would donate more generously then normally...

3.I agree that Snape believes he has to in the final blow out with Morty and Harry....
but, I think he survive...
Somehow, Harry find out that Snape was functioning under DD's orders....
or at least, DD had put him in a position where he could do nothing else..

Posted by Kevin from Wisconsin on November 28, 2006 1:18 PM

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