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?

Snape Loves Quidditch by HapticMimesis on DeviantArt

Today, I'm sharing a 2008 post about Severus and his colleagues. There's loads of insightful thoughts and commentary so give it a read, and as always, feel free to continue the discussion.

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?

Hey, everyone!
Swinging through in a rush again but wishing you a happy Friday :)
Here's some Severus art inspired by the SS/HP classic Two Lockets by acid and sinick.



Severus by Anarda2 on DeviantArt

Why did Severus choose to follow the Dark Lord?

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

Today, I'm sharing art inspired by a fantastic series of drabbles written by lariopefic for the first round of snape_ldws, which focused on the Seven Deadly Sins. You can find the drabbles on AO3. I think Wrath may be my favorite, but I'll probably change my mind repeatedly, as I often do when gifted with so much well-written Snape because I'm already shifting back to Envy. These drabbles have provided me a wonderful burden!


Redemption of Severus Snape by sassynails on DeviantArt

This Thursday we return to this discussion from 2008 that has a lot of thoughtful suggestions and deductions. Geographical hints (and speculations) within canon point toward Scandinavia, but then the Durmstrang motto ↑ is written in both English and -per Google Translate- Belarusian, which puts some countries in Eastern Europe back in the running.

Do you have an opinion about Durmstrang's location?
Do you think Severus would have had an opportunity to visit? Would he have wanted to visit?

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.