Snape and DADA!

[hbic3]

Somethings been bugging me.

Why would Snape not be given the Defense Against the Dark Arts post?

Does Dumbledore not trust Snape not to fall in with Voldemort?

Does Dumbledore think that Snape's hatred of Harry would keep him from teaching him properly and thoroughly?

Did Snape Fail his DADA OWLs and NEWTs?

Or is there a whole other theory that I just haven't explored yet?

Any Ideas?

[Nobby]

I think that sirius says that Snape was exceptional in DADA.

Answer to your ?

Snape is too damn good to replace as potions master

[hbic3]

You might be right. I hadn't thought of that. But I don't think that's it at all. I mean, potions would be easy(I'm thinking) compared to DADA. I think JK has a reason up her sleeve why she'll not write Snape in as DADA Professor. And I think it's alot more complicated than just, He's too good to take him out of Potions. That's just way too simple an answer for JK's style.

[Alice I]

I have considered this a few times also because it is mentioned in almost every book.

One possibility is it could be a restriction imposed by DD for atonment of some sort (Snape used to be a Death Eater)
Why else would DD not give Snape the post to prevent that horrible Umbridge woman from takeing the post because he couldn't find another. He came up with Firenze quickly enough to replace Trelawney.

It may also be important for Snape's cover if he is spying for DD. I am sure that Lucius Malfoy has informed old Voldie that Snape keeps applying for the post only to be denied. It makes it look like Snape does not have DD's full respect or trust.

I do however wholeheartedly disagree with the point hbic3 made that DADA must be harder to teach than Potions.
Quite the contrary Potions would be very difficult to teach because it is such an exacting art that requires not only concentration but patience as well.
YOU try teaching patienct to a bunch of teenagers
I always liked what Snape said in the first Potions lesson:

"You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potionmaking.

I don't expect you will really understand the beauity of the softly simmering cauldron with it's shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses... I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory even stopper death-etc..."

[Athena Appleton]

I think Dumbledore is keeping Snape away from the DADA post in the same kind of way as you keep a beer away from a recovered alcoholic. They are doing fine, but you don't want a very strong temptation there to pull them back in to their old ways.

As far as potions being easy to replace, plenty of people have trouble with potions. Lupin is a very competent wizard, and I certainly don't think he cherished the idea of asking Snape to do him a favor, but he "wasn't up to" making the Wolfbane potion.

This is just my own little theory, based on the fact that Snape has always wanted the DADA job, and Rowling said a student will "stay on" at Hogwarts. I think after book seven, when Snape has fully proven himself and Voldemort isn't around anymore for him to be tempted to follow, Snape will get the DADA job. Hermione will be Potions teacher. She is not only exceptional at Potions (as well as everything else), she is able to correct Potions that have gone wrong (Neville's shrinking potion).

[Evil Wizard Petting Zoo]

I agree.

Wow, Hermione would definately be a change from ol Snape!

[Ferrus]

Hermione as Potions teacher? it would be interesting but my own thoughts are that Hermione will sort of try to continue the SPEW business (in a less radical manner) at the department that regulates laws reffering to non-wizard creatures (can´t remember the exact name...)

[Athena Appleton]

Yeah, could be... like I said, I have no real proof for that theory... just think it could work.

I don't care for the SPEW parts of the book, so I generally have to force myself to actually read those parts instead of just skimming over them. So that's the main reason I haven't put a lot of thought into Hermione's future in a SPEW kind of way.

[Ferrus]

Yeah, I find the SPEW bits the most irksome, I find that its one of the few times that Hermione is truly proving to be stubborn... and possibly without reason, although for that same reason I reckon she will continue it further.

[Aberforth]

This is just my own little theory, based on the fact that Snape has always wanted the DADA job, and Rowling said a student will "stay on" at Hogwarts. I think after book seven, when Snape has fully proven himself and Voldemort isn't around anymore for him to be tempted to follow, Snape will get the DADA job. Hermione will be Potions teacher. She is not only exceptional at Potions (as well as everything else), she is able to correct Potions that have gone wrong (Neville's shrinking potion).

I always imagined that Hermione would take over from McGonagall. They seem to be similar characters, they talk a lot away from other sutdents and McG is quite old now, so could be coming up for retirement.

Hermione is exceptional at transfiguration too - she is always the first to perform a new spell.

[Nobby]

I always imagined that Hermione would take over from McGonagall. They seem to be similar characters, they talk a lot away from other sutdents and McG is quite old now, so could be coming up for retirement.

i agree, but that's a little too obvious for jk don't ya think

[Aberforth]

Why too obvious? Is the Ron-Hermione thing too obvious?

There is definitely something secret going on between Hermione and Minerva, and I want to know what it is.

Rowling said a student will "stay on" at Hogwarts

I can't see Ron staying at Hogwarts (unless as groundskeeper) because he just doesn't seem to excel at any subject. Ginny seems more powerful than him and Fred n' George were talented if not academic. What is Ron good at?

I don't think Neville will stay on because I think he will become an auror like his parents. JKR said Harry wouldn't stay on, therefore my money is on Hermione.

[Athena Appleton]

I don't really think that there's "definately something" about McGonagall and Hermione... I know that's a common theory, and it makes some sense, I guess, I just don't believe it. and if you're talking of McGonagall retiring cuz she's gettin on up there... well, Dumbledore's 150 and apparently has plenty left in him.

I can't see a situation in which McGonagall would leave, Hermione would take over. Unless, of course, McGonagall dies.

I can see, though, that the Snape wanting the DADA post and everything would eventually be his, and with the Potions spot open, Hermione could take over there.

Just a side note, I think we can count anyone who is in the years below Harry out as the ones that stay on, just because the book series will be over after his seventh year... everyone younger than him who could possibly stay on and work at Hogwarts would still be in school after the series.

[Ferrus]

and if you're talking of McGonagall retiring cuz she's gettin on up there... well, Dumbledore's 150 and apparently has plenty left in him

Unless DD gets killed in book 6/7, McGonagall takes over as Headmistress and leaves the transfiguration post vacant... Its not a that unlikely outcome either...

[Emma'I'm a real witch']

Just another thought to add to that, if a student stays on then won't they have to be older than Harry, Ron and Hermione? The trio are only going to be finishing there last year at school in the last book. They don't get their exam results until the end of the year and I can't see them being offered a job without all of their results.
Maybe it could be someone like Angelina to teach Quidditch??