Snape in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Professor Severus Snape appears in the first book of the Harry Potter series as an embittered man with an inexplicable love of the Dark Arts. What's behind all this?
In this thread, you can discuss anything related to Professor Snape in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone: scenes, characterisation, things we ought to have seen/known, headcanons, and anything else you like!
Since many people have commented on apparent bias towards Gryffindor in the Harry Potter series, the following quote is both amusing and ironic:
"Double Potions with the Slytherins," said Ron. "Snape's Head of Slytherin house. They say he always favours them-- we'll be able to see if it's true."
Chapter 8, p144
Following on from the above point:
The famous speech that Snape gives to his potions class is aimed at Gryffindors and Slytherins. So when he says that:
- Many will hardly believe that potions is magic
- 'you' (plural) will probably not understand the 'beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes'
- 'you' can only learn 'if you aren't as big a bunch fo dunderheads as I usually have to teach'
...does it follow that he refers to both Gryffindors and Slytherins equally?
Because even though he does favour Malfoy, he is said to be 'criticising almost everyone'.
Even later, Hagrid, who is hardly an objective character, tells Harry that Snape 'liked hardly any of the students.' (Of course, he won't provide an explanation for Snape's particular dislike of Harry Potter, which is sad, but understandable.)
So perhaps Ron has overstated how much Snape favours his own house.
