So now we know what the book covers will look like...

[donnaimmaculata]

...And already there are "Oh no, poor Snape has been forced by evil Dumbledore to continue teaching Harry!!!11" vibes. But look at it logically: We want Dumbledore to force Snape to continue teaching Harry. Because the books are written from Harry's perspective. If Snape no longer teaches Harry, there will be less Snape in the books.

Unless, of course, one doesn't care for canon!Snape, because Rowling has no grasp of his character anyway.

Comments

[trobadora]

I'm completely with you on Snape and Potions, but a reluctant DADA teacher Snape who just wants to get back to his cauldrons would be pretty funny.

Dumbledore: "No, Severus, you may loathe all that foolish wand-waving as much as you like, but Potter didn't make the Advanced class in Potions, and you need to remain his teacher. I'm afraid it really can't be helped, dear boy - you're needed there."

Snape: *loathes Potter more than ever and plots to have him killed by a little something in his pumpkin juice*

[donnaimmaculata.livejournal.com]

Funny, though, how Snape has continued to apply for the DADA job for the last four (?) years. He really wants to be teaching Harry forever and ever.

Snape (outwardly): "Very well, Headmaster, I shall do as you wish. But don't hold me responsible if something, ah, unexpected happens to Potter. The boy's never understood the subtle danger of the Dark Arts."

Snape (inwardly): "Whee!"

Am I turning into a Snarry shipper? Oh dear.

[trobadora]

Don't squick me, please! Snape/Harry is the one pairing I absolutely cannot stomach.

I'm sure there is something coming about Snape's application for the DADA job, and I suppose if he really wants it that'll mean he won't get it, and vice versa. (No, I don't have much faith in JKR being nice to Snape for a change!)

[donnaimmaculata.livejournal.com]

We know that he wants the job because he admitted having applied for it. I don't know why I dislike the idea of Snape's becoming the new DADA teacher so much. Probably because it feels like an exaggeration of the classic fanfic scenario with the Mysterious-Sword-Wielding-And-Curse-Breaking-Slim-Yet-Curvy new DADA teacher or the return of Lupin as DADA teacher. I think whoever gets the job should be an outsider and new to us, as usual. Did I mention I'm conservative?

[trobadora]

Many people seem to assume Snape only pretends to actually want it for some spy-related reason. Personally I'm undecided on the matter, but somehow I find it hard to imagine the man who waxed poetical about the beauty of the simmering cauldron actually wanting to teach foolish wand-waving instead. Perhaps JKR will soon give us a reason.

And I'm rather tired of the fact that every time someone tries to introduce a new adult character he/she always winds up being the new DADA prof, so I wouldn't mind that pattern broken by giving the job to a familiar character instead!

[donnaimmaculata.livejournal.com]

He seemed genuinely upset when Umbridge mentioned his futile attempts to get the job. Then again, being genuinely upset is his default state...

I can see JKR's and Dumbledore's explanation that giving Snape the DADA job would be the same as giving an alcoholic the key to the liquor cabinet, though.

I like the new DADA teachers; they're entertaining. But you've got a point about the introduction of new characters vs old faces in general: I, for example, was irritated by the sheer number of new characters who were introduced as Order members and who served no purpose whatsoever. OK, some of them are going to die, but we didn't have to meet them in person for that. I would much rather have seen some established characters more fleshed out; i.e. Bill. - For whom I had great hopes when I learned he came back from Egypt and who disappeared mysteriously after the second half of the book.

Obviously, I am unable to hold a conversation about any HP character without mentioning Bill or Remus at some point.