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Did Severus attend Muggle school?

prinzheinelgirl

7/4/08 05:08 pm

Hello, everyone!

I would like to get your opinions on whether Severus attended a Muggle school before going to Hogwarts or was he home-schooled (by his mother)? Or perhaps he mainly taught himself?

Everyone attends Hogwarts at age 11 or 12. By this age, students know how to read and write, etc. Given that Severus is a half-blood and resided in a Muggle town, do you think he went to Muggle school? If so, he should've met Lily there and need not introduce himself in the playground (it is possible, of course, that their town has more than one school and they went to different ones). He seems to be totally into his wizarding roots that he dislikes anything Muggle. His mother could've taught him the basics (along with his quite extensive knowledge of magic, etc.). On the other hand, he seems to be very neglected so I'm not very convinced that his mother or father spent a lot of time with him (besides Tobias not liking anything much as he put it)....

I'm very interested to hear your take on this.

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• (Anonymous)

  7/5/08 10:43 am (UTC)

  I also think Snape went to the Muggle School. IF he was as terribly oddly dressed from the beginning then he really would not have had a chance to learn how to socialize even being surrounded by other children.
  
  I tend to think he tried to get along but repeatedly failed. Why else would he watch from the bushes (more than once apparently) - he knew he was unlikely to get a positive reaction. It seemed to me that he tried to plan out the best introduction he could make, but then was disappointed yet again.
  
  One interesting idea also comes from this - altho' wizards (in general) are not very logical, logic is not just a 'learned' trait, but also somewhat related to brain activity (left/right brain dominance). I'm beginning to wonder whether Tobias was a very 'logical' thinker and Snape inherited some of his logical-thinking. Might affect Tobias' reaction to finding out his wife was a witch (or his son, a wizard)
  
  As for not having met Lily before - I like the idea of a different school. Snape lives 'down by the river'. He could easily be in a different school neighborhood. Altho' why Petunia would then know of him I've no idea. I've wondered whether she was already associating with 'bullies' by then. Snape would probably be known to every bully in town.
  
  Alternatively, it seems to be canon that Petunia would be the kind to listen to gossip - perhaps he was known as that 'Snape kid' specifically because the neighbors talked about him (maybe even because he did NOT go to the local school?). I tend to think however that IF he was being gossiped about then the lack of attention he received from home would have reached the 'authorities' and something would have been done. Maybe Child Services came by and Eileen 'obliviated' them?
  
  -- Hwyla

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  • prinzheinelgirl

    7/6/08 05:08 am (UTC)

    Thanks, Hwyla!
    
    Oh, that hiding in the bushes part and his disappointment afterwards---good insight on how he must've tried to get along with other children but failed.....makes me feel really sorry for him.
    
    Tobias may have been a logical person --- perhaps that's one reason why he wasn't impressed with magic besides not liking anything much as young Severus put it.
    
    There are only a few details about Lily and Severus' hometown - all we know is that it's a mill town (not particularly prosperous) in Northern England. And that Spinner's End is by the river is said/ described as the worst part of town. It may be that they attended schools in different areas of the same locality, if the town is well-populated. However, as you pointed out, Petunia (who started gossiping early) does know about the 'Snape boy' so it means that their neighborhoods are close enough to recognize each other and know some details about other kids. Or perhaps it was a small town so it's fairly easy to know about other people even if you don't know them personally.
    
    I agree that it's possible for the Snape family to be gossiped about - 'that Snape boy' does not come across as complimentary to me. It may be due to the fighting and an obviously neglected child, and not only on being poor.
    
    

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  • raisin_gal

    7/6/08 05:34 am (UTC)

    

    Maybe Child Services came by and Eileen 'obliviated' them?
    
    Oh God, that is a horrible possibility. And a likely one. *shudders*

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