Discussion on the Goblet of Fire, Severus Snape

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui

I would hope he comes to the realization that he CANNOT find substitutes for his parents in other adults - he has to find his strength in himself.

But even in finding strength in himself, he can find a true family. And OotP's big lesson was Harry learning that he can't/shouldn't do everything by himself. When the DADA group of Ginny/Neville/Luna forced Harry to take them seriously and let them come along, Harry realized it wasn't like before, where it was just him. Harry knows he needs help from others and he can't do it by himself (or just simply with Ron and Hermione).

I don't think the books are going for Harry the individual, but Harry realizing that he is part of the group, and while he may be the most gifted member, he can't do it alone.

well yes I agree with that, about Harry relying on others. But I think thats consistent with Harry seeking a love interest based on her own charecter, more than on the need for a substitute family (BTW, these kids are only going to be 17 at the end of book 7,so im not sure there has to be any serious love interest at all) Again IF Harry has a SO, he would surely reach out to that persons family. He will also continue to rely on the help, both material and emotional, of the Weasleys, of Lupin (the last surviving good marauder) of Tonks (about whom I expect to hear MUCH more) and the other OOTP members - and the DADA members as well. My comments were only in respect of Ginny as SO, based on a need to adopt the Weasleys as substitute family.

[East Street Trader]

One thing any love interest will not disturb is the relationship between Harry and chums with teachers/adults. That relationship - where each group shows a united front to all members of the other group but, under the stress of the events making up the adventure, allegiances occasionally and for limited purpose are set aside - is fundamental to all stories of this kind.

You find it in Secret Seven/Famous Five books and in a any number of children's tales set in boarding schools.

The magic, the (excellent) muggle device and the battle with the Voldemort character (the element posters here seem to be most into) are specific to Rowling but the underlying attraction of the kids -v- adults theme and the boarding school setting remain a very powerful part of the attraction. If she were to lose anything of that the other features would cease to work. In conjunction with the generic aspects they are strengthening features. Alone they would be weak.

[Imran Siddiqui]

My comments were only in respect of Ginny as SO, based on a need to adopt the Weasleys as substitute family.

I wasn't talking about a NEED, but rather a wanting. Harry has never felt a part of a family, neither would anyone with the Dursley's (except Dudders, of course). There are some interesting family tie ins in the books. One is the Weasley's, who are sort of like a foster family for Harry. Another is Gryffindor House at Hogwarts. And Hogwarts itself is kind of like a family home to Harry, where Dumbledore acts like a kind of father figure. But with all that it seems that Harry is closest to his Weasley family, and I'd think there would be nothing better than little Potter-Weasley kids running around. It would go well with Rowling's vision of the Weasley's as a poor, but very noble family (all the kids are smart, even if Percy looks to be apt for the dark side).

[lord of the mark]

another note on Snape. Since Snape is a legiwhatever, he knows precisely what Ron, Hermione, and Harry think of him - their suspicion he is a deatheater, there personal dislike, and Harrys assumption (upto OOTP) that Snape was entirely in the wrong in his relations with James.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Doesn't he have to cast the spell first however?

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
Doesn't he have to cast the spell first however?

dont know. It does seem that Snape always seems to know when Harry is lying, and Dumbledore often has an uncanny awareness of what people are thinking. Without any mention of them audibly pronouncing a spell.

[Imran Siddiqui]

I did indeed wonder. When Snape was teaching Harry he spoke the spell "Legelimans" (or something like that). I wonder if he has an innate mindreading ability which doesn't require wand waving, but uttering the spell allows him to go further into the mind.

Dumbledore... well he's in a class by himself isn't he?

Spoiler:

In the huge battle against Voldemort, I don't think either uttered a spell... though I could be wrong

[SnowFire]

Who knows how good Snape is at Legilmency? It's established he's great at Occlumency, but while your theory is interesting, I'm not sure if there's much evidence to back it up at the moment. I think that Snape, like Dumbledore & Voldemort, is probably a reasonably decent lie-detector, but I don't think he can neccessarily read Harry or the other's mind, and it's not like Ron's ever announced "I don't think you're a Death Eater."

Speaking of Voldemort, another mystery. At the end of Goblet, Dumbledore gets a very happy look on his face when he finds out that Voldemort used Harry's blood for his new body. Why? Is Voldemort's new body contaminated with fluffy love of Harry's mother now? I expect this will be important when the final showdown comes. (it's also a mark against Neville being the prophecy's recipient, of course.).

[Imran Siddiqui]

I was just poking around on Mugglenet, and they've (of course) gathered JK Rowling's interview statements and stuff to figure out some of the stuff in the next book. One of these is that in Book 6 we will know why Dumbledore trusts Snape. So I have a feeling Snape won't turn.

Of course there are some other interesting parts:

http://www.mugglenet.com/books/booksix/facts.shtml

I'm very interested to see what is so important about Lilly Potter.

[Verto]

I was looking for Harry Potter skins for my comp and came across this jewel: http://www.exposingsatanism.org/harrypotter.htm

Be warned: Those who click will find out the horrible truth of Harry Potter!

They also don't have nice things to say about "Mormonism", Catholicsm - not even Pokemon is safe!

[Solver]

I'm very interested to see what is so important about Lilly Potter.

They've also posted it as a fact for Book 5 that we would learn...