snapeshuggy

[snapeshuggy]

All excellent points and I don't argue any of them. The point you are missing and in fact provide evidence for is that Dumbledore did not, as far as we can determine, act to ascertain the truth.

Of course DD would not break Sirius out. Of course he would act within the legal system... Only he didn't. He gave evidence to the ministry that Sirius was the sk. He presumably gave it in good faith but he was wrong. And because of the his position in the wizarding world, his word would have carried a lot of weight.

And he didn't make sure he was right. That the ministry was getting it right.

It doesn't mean DD is evil or knew he was wrong. But it does mean a lack of care, of neglect of duty. Not just to Sirius but also to the Potters who deserved justice to be done right.

And in that, the question remains of why he did not make sure justice was being done. (You can posit many human reasons why but ultimately, I see it as a lack of loyalty to individuals - something that shows in other places as well.)

It does make me wonder at you taking from my post that I was saying DD was worse that Voldemort, hateing on him unjustifiably and implying that I am "murdering" his character. I did not. I am poking at the fact that in this one thing, DD and Voldemort mirror each other in the opposite direction to what might be expected from DD=good and Voldy=bad.

Which I find interesting.

(Ok, I did speculate on why DD might have consciously chosen to not push for Sirius's guilt to be proven beyond doubt and I do assume that DD prioritises his long term goals (in this case, a final defeat of Voldy). You are welcome dismiss that as the speculation it is if they don't interest you. I tagged it anti Dumbledore for a reason - that is, respect for the feelings of those who wouldn't want to see it in the main tag.)

Just pondering how Sirius was left to rot in Azkaban by Dumbledore whereas the DE's were broken out by their Lord in months (seven-ish months I think).

And then Snape, who Dumbledore did keep out of prison, deeming his potential future usefulness of suffient value.

Was it a consideration (in Dumbledore's decisions) that Sirius had tried to kill Snape back in 5th year? Did Dumbledore discard Sirius, one his followers, to help hold onto Snape? (And did Snape himself wonder about it in later years, when facing Dumbledore's willingness to sacrifice people?)

There is no textual evidence I think, of what exactly Dumbledore knew or did. But the fact of Sirius abandoned for a decade contrasted with Voldie's prompt rescue of his followers is... something.

[snapeshuggy]

His intelligence & incredible strength of will.

Reblog if you love Severus Snape

Also say what you're favourite thing about him is

Mine is his mysteriousness

[snapeshuggy]

Just pondering how Sirius was left to rot in Azkaban by Dumbledore whereas the DE's were broken out by their Lord in months (seven-ish months I think).

And then Snape, who Dumbledore did keep out of prison, deeming his potential future usefulness of suffient value.

Was it a consideration (in Dumbledore's decisions) that Sirius had tried to kill Snape back in 5th year? Did Dumbledore discard Sirius, one his followers, to help hold onto Snape? (And did Snape himself wonder about it in later years, when facing Dumbledore's willingness to sacrifice people?)

There is no textual evidence I think, of what exactly Dumbledore knew or did. But the fact of Sirius abandoned for a decade contrasted with Voldie's prompt rescue of his followers is... something.

[snapeshuggy]

Brilliant, wonderful meta! I want to write a long response (and I will) but it is going to take more time; there is so much that you have said that I need to work through!

But, before I forget, my first thought was ooooh, thats why I like/dislike certain fic types or hc so much. Like making James Potter a minority when he is so much the archetype of rich white and privileged. Or why I like fics that explore in detail what motivates the "Dark" (true lots are not good but the sheer shallow hypocrisy of the "Light" leaves me hungry for something deeper).

JKR's world says so much about her -and her kind's - (terrible) understanding of ours.

I would like to submit two ideas because I think I'm poking something but not going in fully, so I would very much like your opinions and additions about it (of course, as long as they remain in good faith *side eyes possible antis viewing my post*).

Marauders and surface-level rebellion

I've finally put to words something that really bothered me with the Marauders, though I don't know the name for it.

It started when I read a reblog that said:

I remember Brennan saying “laws are just structured threats made by the ruling socioeconomic class” during an episode of D20 and we truly just had to stan immediately

This is something dear privileged white woman Rowling didn't realize/understand well, since she held a high socioeconomical status even during her """poverty""" stage. It's known that, despite seeming to be defending ideas of fighting against fascism and "pureblood" supremacy in favor of acceptance of the other, her books reek of colonialism/imperalism. The story of the Marauders, a gang of privileged boys like her, is an in-world replica of that problem where Rowling betrays yet again her actual mindset.

The Marauders adopt the "bad boys who break rules" to get style, while completely losing/staining the moral sense in it.

Let's take piracy.

Some people pirate stuff because they consider that the stuff they'd like to get comes from unethical companies that abuse their employees or use modern slavery, or people who spread harm against certain minorities (like Rowling against trans people and thus the LGBT+ community), so while they may want to access the content, they don't want to give them money and might even encourage pirating their stuff to make them lose money.

Some pirate stuff because otherwise it's lost due to unfortunate "terms of use" -- see video games companies like Ubisoft (deletes gaming account after a while), Nintendo (does not bring back old games), etc.

Others pirate stuff because they just don't have the money but they still want to try the stuff that might make them happy and forget that they're poor -- reasoning that the company isn't losing any money anyway, or not much, since they wouldn't have been able to pay for it in any case.

Others pirate stuff because they consider the price ridiculously high or they consider it shouldn't be something to pay for at all. (Like education stuff -- isn't education supposed to be free for all, so that it can actually uphold everyone's fundamental and unconditional ( = not conditioned by wealth...) right to have an education? Oh and before anyone asks: I've DEFINITELY bought the ~15 expensive books that's roughly worth 500€ in total and that my uni asked I buy to study and get my degree...)

Rowling's Marauders is a group that would pirate stuff just because they'd think it would give them an edge, because they'd think it would make them cool to be seen as "talented" hackers who "defy" companies. Companies... that their own friends and families would own, and as such, would find that kind of behavior funny and entertaining (while they would trash other people around for considering it).

Another example. In society, in history, it's been proven time and again that breaking rules -- going against the law -- is an eventuality that's important for everyone to consider, if they want to defend their rights. Anti-racism, feminism, LGBT Pride, etc, advanced because people broke rules. In USA states where abortion is currently being banned, women and minors (+ their close ones) must now consider breaking the rules to get an abortion. (Privileged people don't give a fuck about those people, and if they suddenly decide that (moral) rules don't apply to them and they will get an abortion, they will just take a plane ticket to a country where abortion is legal, fiddling with legal stuff if necessary thanks to the lawyers their fortunes can afford and the lobbies that they're instituting.)

Revolutions happened because people broke rules too. I particularly like the 1793 Constitution in France Because it asserts that the people have the right to break rules and riot if the power in place threatens their fundamental rights:

Article 35. - Quand le gouvernement viole les droits du peuple, l'insurrection est, pour le peuple et pour chaque portion du peuple, le plus sacré des droits et le plus indispensable des devoirs. Article 35. - When the government violates the people's rights, insurrection is, for the people and for each portion of the people, the most sacred of rights and the most essential of duties.

(Of course the power in place would state and enforce and make use of propaganda to say that it's completely illegal and illegetimate and that those who riot for legitimate rights are terrorists!)

Breaking rules is at the core of anti-fascism, anti-dictatorship, anti-totalitarianism. Breaking rules is essential when those rules are abusive. Too often, those who put those rules in place really are only setting their rules of the game to establish their power over the others. Or as the reblog says: "laws are just structured threats made by the ruling socioeconomic class".

Rowling's Marauders break rules because they are the socioeconomical class in power. As such, no one can do anything about it, no one will really tell them down for it. They get excused and justified and romanticized by their peers, just like billionaires & politicians are excused by their peers and notably mainstream media (which is owned... by other billionaires). They break rules -- not because they think it's necessary and the morally right thing to do despite the dangers it puts them in -- but because it makes them feel powerful, important, invincible, which for them is very fun. As Snape says: James and his cronies broke rules because they thought themselves above them:

“Your father didn’t set much store by rules either,” Snape went on, pressing his advantage, his thin face full of malice. “Rules were for lesser mortals, not Quidditch Cup-winners. [...]”

They break rules because they're allowed to.

Which is why, in reality, the Marauders aren't really breaking rules or defying anything or opposing an actual big threat. They're just having fun in the playground that's been attributed to them thanks to their status and family heritage (others wouldn't get the same indulgence because they don't get that privilege).

They break rules because they want to look cool, to be the "bad boys". The message has been compleyely botched. Especially with Lily actually finding this hot.

Because Rowling finds this hot:

[...] I shook hands with a woman who leaned forward and whispered conspiratorially, 'Sirius Black is sexy, right?' And yes, of course she was right, as the Immeritus club know. The best-looking, most rebellious, most dangerous of the four marauders... and to answer one burning question on the discussion boards, his eyes are grey.

(Anyone has an eyes washing station?)

Another quote:

"Sirius was too busy being a big rebel to get married."

(Nevermind the eyes washing, anyone's got some bleach instead?)

Stanning James Potter for being the leader of a gang that prides itself on breaking rules and always getting away with it -- it feels like stanning Elon Musk for being "innovative" and "a daring entrepreneur" despite being a manchild who exploits workers and modern-world slavery to play with his billions while always getting away with it.

They're not being "rebels" -- they're being bullies and flexing the fact they can get away with it thanks to abundance of privilege. Those are the tastes of a posh British white woman. She wanted the facade -- not the substance (that is, if she ever understood it).

You might say that they did oppose a big threat, the Death Eaters, but again, it's botched because:

they target a lonely, unpopular boy who's best friends with a Muggleborn Gryffindor, rather than baby Death Eaters like Mulciber, Lucius, Rosier, Avery, Regulus, etc.

The leader sexually harasses the Muggleborn Gryffindor because he's sexually jealous of the unpopular boy who dared not take the insult about his chosen House and shut up. Lily is treated as an object, they don't listen to her, and they barely speak about her later. (Lots to say to show that, which I won't do here because this is not the main subject.)

When the Marauders do join the Order, they do it... because they primarily want to adopt a rock-n-roll style and play the "bad boys" again. Or at least that's the message that's given to the reade:

They seemed to be in their late teens. The one who had been driving had long black hair; his insolent good looks reminded Fisher unpleasantly of his daughter's guitar-playing, layabout boyfriend. The second boy also had black hair, though his was short and stuck up in all directions; he wore glasses and a broad grin. Both were dressed in T-shirts emblazoned with a large golden bird; the emblem, no doubt, of some deafening, tuneless rock band.

(God, the Prequel is so cringy.)

They don't choose Dumbledore as the Secret Keeper, they don't tell him they changed to Pettigrew -- even though he literally was their war leader -- James uses the Cape to fuck around even though he was supposed to be hiding with Lily and then Harry (until Dumbledore takes the Cape from him)... and eventually, their group exploded, with James killed off, Sirius thrown to Azkaban, Peter (the traitor) hiding as a rat and Lupin going off to find jobs to survive.

Why did that happen? Because they thought of playing their part in the Order like going on a teenage adventure rather than engaging in a resistance organization. It was, first and foremost, about playing "the bad boys" and having fun.

(Harry half-inherits this. While he doesn't break rules just to look cool, and actually has several moments where he does break rules because it's the right thing to do -- like under Umbridge or, of course, when Voldemort takes power -- he does often get pampered when he breaks them in his earlier years. By Dumbledore, but also McGonagall, however much Rowling tries to sell her as a "strict but fair" teacher. Or by Slughorn, now that I think about it. That's something that enraged Snape, as it brought up memories of Harry's father -- Snape's own bully -- getting the same treatment.)

It's not a coincidence that Rowling not only failed to properly convey through the Marauders the true value of breaking rules, but also lusted over them for adopting that "bad boys" trope. It speaks to her own privilege -- she who never had to put herself in danger and go against the law in a risky attempt to protect herself or other less privileged people.

(Here's a useful read to expand on those worldbuilding issues.)

2. Dark Magic, obscurantism and conservatism

For context: Opinion: The Dark Magic/Light Magic Dichotomy is Nonsense (by pet_genius).

The idea of "Dark Magic" as something that's repeatedly told to be "evil" magic and where you cross the line of the forbidden, while hardly putting in question that notion that was (for some reason) enforced by wizard society, is another blatant example of Rowling betraying her mindset of privileged British white woman.

Rowling couldn't put herself in the minds of a society of "outcasts (witches & wizards) deeply enough to consider they would not see any magic as "Dark" at all (being a ""Muggle"" concept), or that Dark magic is only magic that requires something unvaluable to be traded off -- like one's soul or health or life or sanity. Instead, she has Dark Magic defined as "evil" magic, even though her own books show that you can do evil stuff with normal magic, and that you can do morally good stuff with Dark magic. This thing happened because Rowling could not think past her own little world and instead she poured a conservatist mentality (+ typical "Muggle", anti-witch prejudice) into the HP (wizard society) worldbuilding without considering that there could, in fact, be fundamental differences between the two worlds that include thinking of magic differently. (This has a lot to do with Rowling's wizard world being a pro-imperalism fest.)

"Dark Magic" feels like a lazy, badly-executed plot device to tell the reader who's a good guy and who is not. Because of course, that's how things work in real-life, huh… (Did she ever hear of "don't tell, show"?) It's used as an excuse to define who's evil (teen Severus) or not (James), who's worthy or not -- not how their magic was used. Which is a BIG problem:

“I’m just trying to show you they’re not as wonderful as everyone seems to think they are.” The intensity of his gaze made her blush. “They don’t use Dark Magic, though.” / “Scourgify!” Pink soap bubbles streamed from Snape’s mouth at once; the froth was covering his lips, making him gag, choking him —

Even worse, Rowling doesn't follow her own in-world moral framework. Dark magic is acceptable for some people (Rowling's partial self-inserts: Dumbledore, Harry, Hermione to Marietta...) but not for those that Rowling hates (Snape, who ironically represents the closest thing to rebelling by unapologetically obsessing over the Dark Arts). Again, this is at best unadressed in-world hypocrisy, at worst an expression of in-world and out-universe privilege (I get to do this and stay a good guy, but you don't).

There could have easily been rightful criticism of whatever could be defined as "Dark Magic". What if Dark magic was just something defined as "Dark" usually because the power in place doesn't want the people to touch it? Is abortion or contraception or a sex-altering or a goverment-threatening spell, Dark Magic? Is foreign or ethnicity-specific or female-centered or queer-centered magic, "Dark"? How about showing why (Muggle-raised but also neurodivergent) Severus thought Dark magic was so great, showing his point of view, while also establishing where the true limits are? If Lily can't be the one who sees past the "fear-mongering anti-intellectualism/propaganda", how about Harry being the one who does, thanks to him relating to Snape on a personal level? How about making Hermione go from someone who condems Dark Magic, to someone who entirely changes her point of view and understands that this is all bullshit -- effectively showing the dangers of only following what the books say, without putting them into question or thinking by yourself? How about a nuanced view of Dark magic as something that requires a significant sacrifice, which is conceivable for something they see as equally or even more important [Lily's life for Harry; Snape's soul integrity for Dumbledore]? How about making the Death Eaters, people who deviate that legitimate interest, rather than just evil guys who thrive in Dark magic for its supposed added evilness? How about showing that Dark magic was just a notion invented by Muggles to throw "witches" (real or not) to the burning stakes -- later taken by the witches and wizards in power to define, in the magical community, what was okay or definitely forbidden because it's the trademark of those who represent a threat to the magical community (understand: people who riot or strike or protest against the ruling socioeconomical class' politics)?

But there was none of that.

"Dark" magic in HP merely seems to be a weird concept that at best accidentally takes the form of an in-world obscurantism, at worst is just the trademark of someone who cannot imagine a "hunted, ostracized" community with a different culture and mindset than her own. Aggravating is the fact that she used "Dark magic" as a plot device to magically cast some people as good and others as never bad – again, probably reflecting her own questionable mentality.

The fact Rowlnig invented the notion of Dark Magic and had her world consider it seriously as an evil thing instead of being open-minded seems to be less telling of her wishes to show a wizard society that can be as prejudiced as the muggle one, and more of her own bizarre world where you must be evil if you are knowledgeable in or interested in certain "taboo" things (RIP neurodivergents).

Rowling glorifies the Trio and the Marauders for breaking rules. Yet when it comes to actually breaking expectations and norms, notably in the wizarding society -- like the use of another magical species as slaves, or the blatant anti-Muggle prejudice held by everyone including "good guys" (or anti-centaur while we're at it), or stupid anti-knowledge prejudice like "Dark magic is evil" -- there is none of that. At best, it's surface-level opposition that comes out as white savior syndrome. At worst, the protagonists make it their noble code to enforce those norms, and "sinful" characters (Snape, for one) are punished for not conforming. Too often, those sinful characters are punished by the "good guys" with the very thing that they apparently oppose so fervently.

Without ever adressing the fact that those characters were ("morally") allowed to do that because it was just, in the end, a matter of who gets the privilege to do that, and who does not.

There.

Do you have anything to say to develop on those ideas? I feel like I'm reaching my knowledge limit and I'd like to see if those ideas can be expanded.

[snapeshuggy]

I have Thoughts about Pettigrew being the bravest of the four, and the most self-aware one too.

Peter being the only Marauder to give Severus a heartfelt apology and show genuine remorse for the bullying, partly because he himself was a victim of James' and Sirius' cruelty at times... Like, Severus would not be happy with him because he killed Lily obviously, but imagine.

Idk. I just really love the idea of Peter "Murderer and Dark Lord Resurrector" Pettigrew being the only one to properly acknowledge his part in Severus' hurt. Even better when you factor in his friends' treatment of Peter into the reason for his betrayal.

[snapeshuggy]

Has anyone interrupted a sweet moment of our Severus? 😭🌻

His two different looks are amazing .

I wholeheartedly thank Mani a wonderful artist, one of Snapedom's best, with her art she conveys unique emotions.

She deserves all our support ❤️❤️

We have to support people like that 🥰 her art is a delight for the eyes and the soul.

Thank you again 🌻

@madfantasy

[snapeshuggy]

In SWM, we have this iconic monent:

“I don’t need help from filthy little Mudbloods like her!”

Lily blinked. “Fine,” she said coolly. “I won’t bother in future. And I’d wash your pants if I were you, Snivellus.”

“Apologize to Evans!” James roared at Snape, his wand pointed threateningly at him.

“I don’t want you to make him apologize,” Lily shouted, rounding on James. “You’re as bad as he is. …”

“What?” yelped James. “I’d NEVER call you a — you-know-what!”

“Messing up your hair because you think it looks cool to look like you’ve just got off your broomstick, showing off with that stupid Snitch, walking down corridors and hexing anyone who annoys you just because you can — I’m surprised your broomstick can get off the ground with that fat head on it. You make me SICK.”

... In which Lily says James Potter is as bad as Severus Snape calling her a mudblood. And she expands on that, equating James being a show off, conceited, walking around and hexing people for trival cause is equal to calling Lily a mudblood. It doesn't seem like the insult from Snape meant that much to her by this comparison of it equalling petty silly teenage dunderheadedness that isn't even personal to Lily. Pissed her off, certainly. Hurt her? It doesn't seem so.

I contend that the "mudblood" moment was of little importance to Lily - it was only a trigger, a last straw, the final pebble to break this friendship. But to Severus, it was a mountain; he didn't understand or see what had been building on Lily's side and of course he hung the fallout on the tip of the iceberg that was all he could see.

That was mean of her. She had no obligation to stay his friend but given his apology attempt and their 7ish years of (best on his sidd) friendship, she cannot have not understood how big this was to him. She chose to kick him away instead of just shutting the door.

[snapeshuggy]

Is it a dream?

Is she really here?

The feling of her flesh against his, hearing her soft words of comfort.

Can it be true?

Wondering

Drawn in 2023

[snapeshuggy]

Severus: how do I tell Lockhart I want to hit him with a chair?

Lucius: don’t tell him. Just do it

[snapeshuggy]

He has too much short feral energy to be tall.

(Be honest: do you think he is tall because Alan was? Because for me, it is just one more reason why Alan is not the Snape I imagine when I read. He was too tall, too old, too calm, too tidy/neat/clean didn't dress quite right and while an excellent actor, just did not match my Snape.)

TUMBLR CREATED POLLS TIME TO SETTLE THIS ONCE AND FOR ALL

[snapeshuggy]

Severus watched in awe

—and a bit of madness—

as the flames licked up the sides and quickly engulfed the shrieking shack.

He'd done it.

Severus looked at the empty bottle of exploding fluid still clutched in his hand.

He'd really done it.

Slender fingers touched the side of his neck that Nagini had ravaged only a few hours before. It was prudent of Severus to have anti-venom in his system whenever the Dark Lord summoned him, should he begin to doubt his hold on the Elder wand, or any other reason, really. Or no reason at all.

It didn't matter now though.

It is done.

His job was finished and Dumbledore expected him to just— die in gratitude?

All the hatred, rage, and resentment he'd barely been holding down for 25 years resulted in quite a bit of screaming, cursing, several holes in the walls, and Severus dousing the shrieking shack in exploding fluid.

It was beautiful. The blast, the flames, the death of an era. The death of Severus Snape, faithful servant. He was his own man now.

At least he felt a bit better.

Definitely better than when he was being mauled by a giant snake, that's for certain.

[snapeshuggy]

 Check out the details here, you can really imagine a story behind this thing Finally posting one of the renders I did for printing ‘cause why not. I’ll post the second one in a bit but overall I did 2 pieces in giant ass resolution to make prints out of them 

[snapeshuggy]

He hated bullies.

One day he will be able to pay them all back.

Whatever it takes.

Decision

Drawn in 2023

[snapeshuggy]

If you're getting into his head and exploreing, I wanna read, no matter how dark!

I love sev he’s my all time favorite Harry Potter character but I want to write a disturbing fanfic with him as lead, like dead dove: do not eat type of shit but I don’t want to wanna feed those antis that keep calling him a stalker 🙂 so any advice?

Babe…WRITE IT!

Fuck what antis have to say. They can’t use a fanfiction piece of writing to fit their narrative (like they try so hard to do with ATYD)

The minute we start censoring ourselves because of them is the minute they win. They don’t control what we do over here in the dungeons

If they can write dark fics about the Marauders then we can write dark fics about Snape

I’ve been in need of some dark Snape anyways! So write it and send it to me when it’s done!

And if an anti attacks you then the snapedom will ride at dawn

[snapeshuggy]

Dragging this out of the tags because YES! EXACTLY! 😭

I like the parallels between Occlumency and disassociation. Being there but not, having shield up or looking at everything through a thin sheet of glass, it being a defense mechanism/trauma response depending on the story. It makes me relate to Severus that much more.

[snapeshuggy]

I suspect it may be a limitation of her creator... But Hermione did. not. go. WHHHHYYYY and it is why I refuse to consider her particularly bright. She did not look at those alterations to potions in the prince's book, observe the result was different and then need to find out why the result was different. She just whined about cheating and grades. She didn't care why the results were different if you crushed instead of dicing. She was just pissed she wasn't top of the class anymore.

Her grades (or her image/reputation) were more important to her than knowledge or understanding.

Yep, she was a bore.

What do you think about this moment in CC:

SNAPE: Safe. He’s safe. (Beat.) You know you never could listen. You were a terrible bore of a student and you’re a terrible bore of — whatever you are.

HERMIONE: I was an excellent student.

SNAPE: You were moderate to average. He’s on our side!

What does it mean—"you could never listen"? Hermione never listened in class? Do we see it in the other books?

Why does Snape say she was moderate to average? Is it a joke, or is it serious?

What do you think it tells of Snape (or 60 yo Snape)?

[snapeshuggy]

😂

Snape out here tryna keep Potter alive, maintain his cover, and not have a nervous breakdown. The last three DADA teachers have nearly killed Harry, his mark is growing darker, Karkaroff is having a meltdown, and he’s gotta deal with Alastor bloody Moody breathing down his neck; and the kids are like “yeah he’s probably just salty cause he didn’t get to teach defence”

💀