Aijo все записи автора Snape Vs. The Staff of Hogwarts
Or...One against many.

re-la-tion-ship. n. The state of being related; connection. (Funk and Wagnalls Standard Encyclopedic Dictionary).



Let's make one thing clear. The use of 'relationship' as intended in this article has no emotional connotations included. Unfortunately, when most think of the relationship between Snape and others, their thoughts tend to color toward the obscene and yes, sexual. This is not to be even considered during the course of the article; instead, the word 'relationship' is to mean the state of being related, or a connection.

Bookmarks To:
Snape and...* McGonagall * Quirrell * Lockhart * Lupin * 'Moody' * Umbridge * Filch * Dumbledore

Something I have not seen addressed is Snape's relationship with other members of the staff. While apparently devoid of information, we can deduce a little information as to how he relates to the rest of the staff by making connections between his character, and some known plot points. To me the issue seems something to investigate, considering the amount of fanfictions that allow for some rather liberal relationships. I talk of fanfictions that, for instance, have McGonagall and Snape dating, or Snape and Dumbledore snogging. I have difficulty believing such behaviour when passed off as canon for several reasons.

For the sake of this article assume the following: Snape appears to not be a social being. Such a supposition is compounded by his repulsion of others. Notice in Order of the Phoenix, that, while he will talk with others, he quickly leaves, and doesn't even eat dinner with the Order. While it could be said that he's too 'busy' to eat there, assume for this article that it is a matter of personal choice. Also, look at the location of his classroom, away from all the others. Combined with his philosophy on emotions ('clear your mind of all emotion'), and his overall inscrutable face and lack of reaction, he is thus characterized as distant emotionally. To me there is no reason why this should not transcend to his professional relationships.

Of course, there are specific details on a few of the staff relationships: The McGonagall\Snape relationship and the Dumbledore\Snape relationship, and of course, the DADA teachers.


McGonagall\Snape
This one is quite interesting because of the double standard. Remember: McGonagall taught Snape for seven years. So McGonagall has known Snape for a long while now; saw him develop, maybe involved in some Marauder incidences, both known and unknown by the readers. She has a view of Snape that many people do not have.

Because of this past history, it is my guess that Snape treats her (and thus, Dumbledore) with a little more respect than perhaps those who are closer to his own age. My theory is that a little of that respect remains with him today.

This respect is immediately ditched when Quidditch comes into view. Both have a fervent desire to win. McGonagall's desire is apparent as early as the first book. When McGonagall finds out Harry is quite a crackpot Seeker, she becomes willing to break rules and get a first year on the House team. And since she is so stringent in other areas (taking points from her own house, ect) I am lead to believe such a weakness is only in having her House win Quidditch.

So the next year Malfoy is admitted onto the Slytherin house team. The children site that Mafloy bought his way on to the team. Of course, this could be true, but there still must be permission from the Head of House (in this case, Snape). This leads me to believe that whatever the start action was, [be it Lucius or whomever] Snape is retaliating against the blatant action of McGonagall when she broke the rules. This belief is not unrealistic, for not only does Snape have a firm faith in rules and sites them constantly, he is a firm believer in 'this for that' philosophy: for evidence see his desire for vengeance in PoA.

Before The Order of the Phoenix, I was of the belief that Snape did not as strongly participate in the Quidditch feud. But the little anecdote where he ignores a Slytherin's attempt at a hexing and 'refused to listen to the fourteen eyewitness' convinces me otherwise. Also the fact that he 'booked the Quidditch pitch for Slytherin practice so often that the Gryffindors had difficulty getting on it to play' helps support the impression that there is a state of conflict between McGonagall and Snape concerning Quidditch.

I imagine that in some of the more quieter moments between classes, that McGonagall and Snape still argue about this. After all, its only Quidditch. However, in many of the important issues, such as unity against Voldemort, he appears to be on the same page as McGonagall. At least, they are very hard on their students, urging them to excel. And they present a united front against the evil of both Umbridge (in OotP) and Voldemort.

Snape\Quirrell
This one is quite difficult. We know of Snape's animosity toward Quirrell, concerning his suspicion. I imagine that this transcended to everyday topics. It could be evidence of Snape's absolutist behaviour; if he doesn't trust you, you will know it. He won't play pleasant while hating your guts, and vice versa.

Snape\Lockhart
Lockhart is a ditz in every way, shape, and form. Snape realizes this and in the few interactions that Harry overhears, Snape is full of malice toward Lockhart and his pompous acting (I think of when Lockhart offers to make the Mandrake Restorative Draught and Snape responds icily ' I believe I am the Potions master at this school.'). Classic sarcasm from Snape, and his reluctance to deal with idiocy (especially as badly hidden as Lockhart's is) rounds out the extent of their relationship.

Snape\Lupin
Very complicated, as this relationship adds a past history. While there has not been any evidence of physically\emotionally hurting Snape, he was friends with Sirius and James, who did. Therefore, by Snape's deduction, Lupin is guilty by association. And, obviously because Snape dwells on the incidences of his schooling days (what with the many references to them), he does not forgive Lupin what he did.

That is why I imagine that Snape has difficulty helping Lupin with making the Wolfsbane Potion, frankly, because of the animosity between them.

Oddly enough Lupin does not respond in like. This characterization is quite positive on Lupin, making him more understanding and caring. He calls Snape by his first name, for instance, while Snape uses his last name.

Snape\"Moody"
Though Snape is fooled by Barty Crouch Jr's impersonation of Alastor Moody, their interactions do reveal some about Snape's relationship toward Moody.

We hear from GoF that Snape 'seemed strangely wary of displaying overt animosity', a change from Lupin. Even the comment 'he had the distinct impression that Snape was avoiding Moody's eye' is quite telling.

This suggests a past history with 'Moody', one that is to be avoiding. We do not know what, but it makes Snape uncomfortable. Not hateful. Not full of contempt. Avoiding. And if you will not take the word of the children, later in GoF we have the midnight encounter. I believe Snape's behavior speaks for itself -- gaps in speech patterns, defensive speaking, in denial-- obviously he fears something.

Again, we do not know what. But I can imagine Snape was quite uncomfortable for that year....

Snape\Umbridge
He does not like Umbridge as much as the other teachers and students. This is evident in the perhaps colder-than-usual approach to Umbridge during her inspection of his class in OotP. But he will treat her with respect only because she is the Headmistress. Also, recall that during the scene where Snape tells Harry of Occlumency lessons, he warns Harry 'you will not tell anybody what you are doing, least of all Dolores Umbridge'. His reference to the Headmistress with full last and first name indicates that she is an enemy [for more information, see my Chamber of Secrets Critical Snape Scene Analysis].

What makes the scene with Umbridge and Snape toward the end of OotP particularly ironic is the only thin layer of respect Snape presents her. The final touch is the 'ironic bow' as he leaves.

He deals with Umbridge probably in the same manner he treats Voldemort -- you give the illusion of respect because that is what is expected, if you do not want to be found out, or worse, killed.

Snape\Filch
I think Snape extends more...responsibility to Argus Filch. During a few moments, they are seen together, Filch usually in a subservient position. In SS, it is Filch that hands Snape bandages so he can fix his leg. In GoF Snape meets Filch and doesn't treat him with disrespect, or a sarcastic remark. Even some of their responses are the same: in CoS, both Filch and Snape are furious after Dumbledore says 'innocent until proven guilty'.

My theory is that Filch is merely a less powerful but like-minded Snape. He seems to be responsive to Snape's minute gestures, while Snape uses Filch for information or help ('I want you to come and help me search for the intruder, Filch'.). My guess is because Filch is so like-minded, or at least competent, Snape can trust him to an extent with tasks.

And speaking of trust...

Snape\Dumbledore
We have the statement of trust by Dumbledore implicitly in Goblet of Fire (the fact that Dumbledore testified Snape 'is now no more a Death Eater than [he is]') and explicitly in Order of the Phoenix ('I trust Severus Snape'). There are also important facts that come with the plot fact that Snape teaches at Hogwarts.

1.If Dumbledore did not trust Snape, he would not put him in charge of children. But here is a former Death Eater, teaching children, and actually as a head of house! Therefore Dumbledore must trust Snape to an extent.

2. Snape knows what is going on during the majority of the books. He is always there with Dumbledore (along with McGonagall) when an important event occurs (troll in the bathroom, message on the wall, the whole Shrieking Shack\Sirius Black incident, his presence during the interrogation of Barty Crouch Jr, his involvement on the Order of the Phoenix). The fact he is there during the making of administrative decisions reflects the importance of his opinion to Dumbledore and brings along a certain level of trust.

3. The fact that Rowling said in a recent internet chat that "Snape has given Dumbledore his story and Dumbledore believes it". What the story is, or even why Snape went to Dumbledore is still to be discovered.

4. And of course, Dumbledore was involved in the initial 'Marauder's' incident, when Snape first found out that Lupin was a werewolf. And Snape was basically silenced from revealing the truth of Lupin.

Though Snape 'trusts' Dumbledore with the reason behind his defecting, I still sense there is hostility (at least a little) in the Dumbledore\Snape relationship. Dumbledore still manipulated Snape to not tell people that Lupin is a werewolf. And remember: Dumbledore kept Snape in the dark concerning the Sirius Black incident in PoA. He allowed Snape to act crazy about something that was true, while he smiled and made his innocuous comments. If I were Snape, I would be extremely peeved at this.

So I don't think it is a perfect relationship. There is some hostility that hurts Snape deep enough to provide for some pain.

Also, it would make a reason for Snape to go back to Voldemort, should events in the books warrant it. For what other reason did Rowling make Dumbledore not inform Snape about Sirius Black escaping? For security reasons? Dumbledore has been pretty open with Snape -- why not with this issue? Because he doesn't believe Snape could handle the truth? Well, what price did Snape pay -- being seen as crazy in front of the Minister of Magic, of all people. Or is it because....he doesn't trust Snape as much as he says?

I only make this note because other than the one incident in PoA, Snape seems to obey Dumbledore and Dumbledore seems to have trust in Snape. And Rowling has a purpose in every scene she uses...so...we will see.

Conclusion
Though Snape might have different reactions or past histories with the staff members, he is generally cold and distant from them. As to whether some blossom or whither or simply disappear, it is a matter for the last two books. Only then will such questions be satisfied.