(Anonymous)
I tend to agree with you about the Wolfsbane Potion. I suppose JKR just didn't want to give us any more reason to like Snape.
Altho' I think with the addition of Fenrir, she could even have given him an 'evil' reason for inventing it - so Voldy's werewolves could retain their minds and remember exactly just whom they were supposed to attack on the full moon.
One thing I find very interesting in canon - with the later books, it does not appear as if Snape actually 'fears' werewolves. The main basis for that belief comes from the scene in PoA when he delivers Remus' potion and wants to watch him drink it.
Fenrir on the Tower (a werewolf one OUGHT to truly fear) is actually described as 'cowed' when Snape enters the scene - more as if Snape is the Alpha. And then we find that youngSnape was already sure that he would face a werewolf (albeit probably a caged one) when he went down the tunnel in 5th year? That doesn't sound like someone who feared werewolves. As long as he believed he was appropriately prepared.
So, why the impression of fear in the potion drinking scene? Or have we misread it? After all, PoA is ALL about misdirection. We come away originally believing the Shrieking Shack is all about a schoolyard 'prank' - one that is hardly a true prank, but could have cost him his life - and yet the truth (in the end) seems to be more about his anger at Sirius for his betrayal of the Potters.
Perhaps the potion-drinking scene is also less about 'fear' and more about distrust. He believed Remus was in cahoots with Black. And we now know that Snape's entire reason for continuing to live was to protect Harry. Is it more about fear for Harry? Or some kind of warning to Harry? -- Hwyla
Altho' I think with the addition of Fenrir, she could even have given him an 'evil' reason for inventing it - so Voldy's werewolves could retain their minds and remember exactly just whom they were supposed to attack on the full moon.
One thing I find very interesting in canon - with the later books, it does not appear as if Snape actually 'fears' werewolves. The main basis for that belief comes from the scene in PoA when he delivers Remus' potion and wants to watch him drink it.
Fenrir on the Tower (a werewolf one OUGHT to truly fear) is actually described as 'cowed' when Snape enters the scene - more as if Snape is the Alpha. And then we find that youngSnape was already sure that he would face a werewolf (albeit probably a caged one) when he went down the tunnel in 5th year? That doesn't sound like someone who feared werewolves. As long as he believed he was appropriately prepared.
So, why the impression of fear in the potion drinking scene? Or have we misread it? After all, PoA is ALL about misdirection. We come away originally believing the Shrieking Shack is all about a schoolyard 'prank' - one that is hardly a true prank, but could have cost him his life - and yet the truth (in the end) seems to be more about his anger at Sirius for his betrayal of the Potters.
Perhaps the potion-drinking scene is also less about 'fear' and more about distrust. He believed Remus was in cahoots with Black. And we now know that Snape's entire reason for continuing to live was to protect Harry. Is it more about fear for Harry? Or some kind of warning to Harry? -- Hwyla