Snapedom

What do we know about magical cores? Fanon certainly explores the issue, but is there anything within canon that addresses just what makes a witch or wizard stronger than their peers? Canon implies that the most powerful wizards are half-bloods, but is there a genuine argument for that beyond a huge series of coincidences?

Would a large magical core be beneficial or detrimental to a Potions Master? I have conflicting feelings about whether being magically powerful would be a help or a hindrance for someone in Severus's vocation. It led me to wonder whether he would have to control the amount of magic he introduced during brewing in order to create potions as precise as his perfectionism demanded.

He's an emotional man and repressing that for his art would contribute to his erratic behavior. He's obviously clever and well-educated ... he prides himself on possessing unflappable emotional control that allows him to be a successful Occlumens yet we continually see him react emotionally in social situations.

Could his emotional explosions have been in part because he struggled to be as unresponsive as possible while he worked with potions as well as when he had to be when he masqueraded for the Dark Lord? It's food for thought and the more I ponder it, the more questions I have about magical cores and emotions powering magic. Opinions?

The Ministry happily employs Obliviators to protect the Statute of Secrecy, and it's known that memories can be both erased and rewritten. We know that Gilderoy Lockhart maintained a career using the Memory Charm. We also know that Severus is an accomplished Occlumens and Legilimens.

Given Severus's interest in the mind arts, is Severus the sort of wizard who would use Memory Charms? If so, how would he use them and why?

Why did Severus choose to follow the Dark Lord?

Once selected by Voldemort as worthy was there a choice other than defiant death?

Severus Snape and the author's abandonment of his character in DH---
Severus was a crucial character in the series, especially the later books, and his death scene provided Harry with vital information. Aside from the favorite fandom answer: Severus didn't die. (I assure you that I won't argue against that.) Why do you believe JKR failed to provide closure or evidence of death for a key player in her universe? Is Severus a disposable character?


p.s. Given Harry's record of assuming the opposite of everything he later learns to be true, I hope you'll forgive my not accepting Harry's assumption of death as evidence.

Meta Monday Returns!

This week Harry Potter is turning 35!

In January 1995, during Harry's third year, Severus Snape had his 35th birthday. Unknowingly, he was about to embark on his last year free of the Dark Lord; while he had a respectable career, we know little else about his personal or professional life.

How do you think Severus spent his free time? What do you think he'd accomplished as a Potions Master? Would he have continued to explore spell crafting? And finally, how do you think his 35th year would compare to Harry's?

Answer any or all :)

As promised, a bit of meta for your Monday.

We all know that Severus Snape was a man who wanted respect and recognition, even an Order of Merlin. Within HP fandom, he's been both loathed and romanticized, but recently, there's been a strong resurgence of Snape hate.

How do you think Snape would react to fandom?

There's a lively discussion on the LJ Post that you're welcome to join. No LJ account required but as always, please sign your comments if anon.