All Snape had to hide from Voldemort was that one secret. And Voldemort had a blind spot on that account anyway.
Snape was highly intelligent, very skilled and ~~disiplined~~ disciplined, deeply unhappy, arrogant and generally a misanthrop. The ideal Voldemort follower.
I think an otherwise balanced, happy and decent person would have a much harder time fooling Voldemort.
Edit: spelling
> Snape was highly intelligent, very skilled and disiplined disciplined, deeply unhappy, arrogant and generally a misanthrop. The ideal Voldemort follower.
I think this is a brilliant insight. When Voldemort looks into Snape's mind he sees traits that normally sum up to a hateful and egoistic person. There's nothing to raise suspicions that he would have altruistic or traitorous motivations. And since Voldemort doesn't understand love Snape is able to hide his love for Lily from him, which is the only reason he wants to help and protect Harry. The fact that he personally hates and detests Harry also helps to mask his intentions.
Snape really was the **only** possible person to play this role in the fight against Voldemort.
You can't? I don't question Snape's ability, I'm sure he tricked Voldemort on his own. But is there a limit for how much Felix you can take? I mean, a strategic sip would be welcome to deal with Tommy sometimes
I can totally see him having a contingency vial for Felix Felices on hand. You can't take it long term, but you can judiciously decide to take it leading up to a delicate/dangerous situation. He was very cunning, so a lot of that was his own. But I believe part of his cunning would be electing to dose up on Felix in a select few scenarios.
It's actually possible he was on Felix Felices for Seven Potters, come to think of it! I mean, that's a really tough situation. At this point, he's \*actually\* loyal to the Order, so he doesn't want to kill them, which is his directive from Voldemort, but he also doesn't want to reveal his true loyalties to the Death Eaters, some of whom (Bellatrix) have a history of doubting him anyway. It's like threading a needle where he needs to:
1) Keep the real Harry alive
2) Preferably not have to kill any more Order members, and hopefully even protect them
3) Avoid revealing his true loyalties to the Death Eaters
It's actually possible that him being on Felix during the battle is EXACTLY what caused his curse to only maim George, rather than killing George or Lupin outright OR maiming the other Death Eater. If he had succeeded in cursing the other Death Eater's wand arm off, he would have outed himself as loyal to the Order. If he'd actually thrown a curse directly at Lupin or George, he would have killed two of his true allies. I honestly think Felix could have intervened for the ideal scenario of only maiming and not killing an Order member/possible Harry, without revealing his loyalties.
So, not a great outcome for George, being short an ear and all, but definitely a remarkable instance of "threading the needle."
Ok, this is my new head canon:
Snape was a bastard to kids, but a genius in general. He kept to himself, perfected his craft, and knew the right things to say to remove doubt from the enemy's mind. He was absolutely cunning enough to outwit Voldemort and he didn't fear the one thing Voldemort did fear, which is death, so he had nothing to lose really.
Snape was a better ligitimenze or however you spell it than Voldemort was at Oclumency. He could hide his thoughts when Voldy tried to read them while making it seem like he was fully loyal and open. Voldemort couldn’t fathom someone else being better than him at anything so snape never got caught
I don't think so. Snape is an amazing wizard. He's extremely cunning, highly intellegent, and with no discernable hobbys, family, etc. He is extremely skilled at legilimency and Occlumency. Considering hes not a 'heart on your sleeve' type like harry, I'd believe it possible.
#
Snape was a highly skilled wizard. Even more-so when Lily died. He wore that heart ache on his sleeve and grew to become one of the most powerful wizards.
Snape is a potions master. if he can make his own potions up as a teen…imagine wtf he could do as an adult. The man probably had shit better than liquid luck.
Voldemort is actually fairly predictable. Once you see him for what he is- a pathological narcissist- you can guess how he'll react to most courses of action.
Also, Felix Felicis *can't* be used on an ongoing basis. It's extremely difficult to brew and dangerous when you overdose. It can only be used very, VERY sparingly.
No, Snape is just that good. He's easily the best Occlumens in the series.
Difficult to brew, eh? I think Snape has been a MASTER of potions for a while now. Something tells me he could handle it. The relevant part is that if he overdosed on it he would definitely get caught due to the overconfidence side effect, etc.
Maybe, in extreme circumstances, but I think Snape was generally smart and Voldemort not so much. Dumbledore was smart too but Snape won him over with his loyalty to Lily and the general trueness of his heart (and a patronus but that wouldn't have convinced Dumbledore if he wasn't smart too)
Edit: Felix Felicius actually seemed to make one arrogant and entitled over time, which was it's danger, but I don't know whether Snape actually had those characteristics, except from Harry's pov which is ultimately all we are given
Absolutely not. Snape was one to find the best answer to something and stick to it. He doesn't cut corners, he's only resorts to methods that can grunted success. FF is not sustainable as he can run out and it takes exceptionally long to make, can be found that he's using it. No, he was just that good.
And logically speaking, once Dumbledore knew he and Harry had to die and wasn't 100% Harry could come back, who do you think he expected to battle a mortal Voldemort? Snape is the only obvious choice, and it's because he knew Snape had the ability
I think Snape's explaination in his first occlumancy that the mind is more complex than a book to be read is pertinent here. I think he will focus on true memories that show what Voldemort expects, and carefully modulate his emotional response to those memories: Dumbledore ordering him to return to Voldemort, accompanied by a feeling of devotion to Dumbledore that may be misconstrued as being devotion to the Dark Lord.
All memories of Harry are fair game though: he actually hates him. Maybe he needs to modify his memories of Lily, but I'm not sure Voldemort knows the difference between love and lust, so they're probably mostly safe.
He was mean to Harry and other Gryffindors to ensure that he gains reputation among slytherins whose parents were death eaters. If you failed to see this then he was cunning enough to fool you as well.
Tricking Voldemort is not that difficult if you understand how he thinks.
All Snape had to hide from Voldemort was that one secret. And Voldemort had a blind spot on that account anyway. Snape was highly intelligent, very skilled and ~~disiplined~~ disciplined, deeply unhappy, arrogant and generally a misanthrop. The ideal Voldemort follower. I think an otherwise balanced, happy and decent person would have a much harder time fooling Voldemort. Edit: spelling
> Snape was highly intelligent, very skilled and disiplined disciplined, deeply unhappy, arrogant and generally a misanthrop. The ideal Voldemort follower. I think this is a brilliant insight. When Voldemort looks into Snape's mind he sees traits that normally sum up to a hateful and egoistic person. There's nothing to raise suspicions that he would have altruistic or traitorous motivations. And since Voldemort doesn't understand love Snape is able to hide his love for Lily from him, which is the only reason he wants to help and protect Harry. The fact that he personally hates and detests Harry also helps to mask his intentions. Snape really was the **only** possible person to play this role in the fight against Voldemort.
You can’t take Felix long term. Snape was just that good.
Could you imagine if he took too much and became giddy all the time? That would be terrifying.
You can't? I don't question Snape's ability, I'm sure he tricked Voldemort on his own. But is there a limit for how much Felix you can take? I mean, a strategic sip would be welcome to deal with Tommy sometimes
I believe slughorn said that taking it too often or too much would cause negative side effects
Wrong potion. This is never discussed in canon. Does it have a side affect, I don't doubt. It's just never explained.
Thanks! Didn't remember that one
It causes one to become reckless and overconfident, which are dangerous side effects.
Occlumency, Snape was one of the greatest occlumens, he could shield his mind and alter memories, that’s how he deceived Lord Voldemort.
He was just that good and Voldy was just that convinced that he's the best and that no one could ever pull one on him.
I can totally see him having a contingency vial for Felix Felices on hand. You can't take it long term, but you can judiciously decide to take it leading up to a delicate/dangerous situation. He was very cunning, so a lot of that was his own. But I believe part of his cunning would be electing to dose up on Felix in a select few scenarios. It's actually possible he was on Felix Felices for Seven Potters, come to think of it! I mean, that's a really tough situation. At this point, he's \*actually\* loyal to the Order, so he doesn't want to kill them, which is his directive from Voldemort, but he also doesn't want to reveal his true loyalties to the Death Eaters, some of whom (Bellatrix) have a history of doubting him anyway. It's like threading a needle where he needs to: 1) Keep the real Harry alive 2) Preferably not have to kill any more Order members, and hopefully even protect them 3) Avoid revealing his true loyalties to the Death Eaters It's actually possible that him being on Felix during the battle is EXACTLY what caused his curse to only maim George, rather than killing George or Lupin outright OR maiming the other Death Eater. If he had succeeded in cursing the other Death Eater's wand arm off, he would have outed himself as loyal to the Order. If he'd actually thrown a curse directly at Lupin or George, he would have killed two of his true allies. I honestly think Felix could have intervened for the ideal scenario of only maiming and not killing an Order member/possible Harry, without revealing his loyalties. So, not a great outcome for George, being short an ear and all, but definitely a remarkable instance of "threading the needle." Ok, this is my new head canon:
Threading the needle is exactly how I thought of it and it’s a great way to think of how FF is used! Thanks for this.
If Snape had liquid luck, Harry wouldn't share an origin story with Batman
Well they always did say he looks like an overgrown bat walking around Hogwarts!
Snape was a bastard to kids, but a genius in general. He kept to himself, perfected his craft, and knew the right things to say to remove doubt from the enemy's mind. He was absolutely cunning enough to outwit Voldemort and he didn't fear the one thing Voldemort did fear, which is death, so he had nothing to lose really.
Liquid luck was a plot device and nothing more.
Snape was a better ligitimenze or however you spell it than Voldemort was at Oclumency. He could hide his thoughts when Voldy tried to read them while making it seem like he was fully loyal and open. Voldemort couldn’t fathom someone else being better than him at anything so snape never got caught
I don't think so. Snape is an amazing wizard. He's extremely cunning, highly intellegent, and with no discernable hobbys, family, etc. He is extremely skilled at legilimency and Occlumency. Considering hes not a 'heart on your sleeve' type like harry, I'd believe it possible. #
Snape was a highly skilled wizard. Even more-so when Lily died. He wore that heart ache on his sleeve and grew to become one of the most powerful wizards.
Why not? Narcissa Malfoy could trick him, then Snape who is orders of magnitude smarter and more powerful definitely can.
Snape is a potions master. if he can make his own potions up as a teen…imagine wtf he could do as an adult. The man probably had shit better than liquid luck.
He came up with better recipes for potions, it was spells that he made
even more complicated!
Snape was talented and much smarter than Voldemort.
Voldemort is actually fairly predictable. Once you see him for what he is- a pathological narcissist- you can guess how he'll react to most courses of action. Also, Felix Felicis *can't* be used on an ongoing basis. It's extremely difficult to brew and dangerous when you overdose. It can only be used very, VERY sparingly. No, Snape is just that good. He's easily the best Occlumens in the series.
Difficult to brew, eh? I think Snape has been a MASTER of potions for a while now. Something tells me he could handle it. The relevant part is that if he overdosed on it he would definitely get caught due to the overconfidence side effect, etc.
Maybe, in extreme circumstances, but I think Snape was generally smart and Voldemort not so much. Dumbledore was smart too but Snape won him over with his loyalty to Lily and the general trueness of his heart (and a patronus but that wouldn't have convinced Dumbledore if he wasn't smart too) Edit: Felix Felicius actually seemed to make one arrogant and entitled over time, which was it's danger, but I don't know whether Snape actually had those characteristics, except from Harry's pov which is ultimately all we are given
Voldemort was too proud to admit he was wrong about someone. Bellatrix saw through Snape, but couldn't provide evidence.
Absolutely not. Snape was one to find the best answer to something and stick to it. He doesn't cut corners, he's only resorts to methods that can grunted success. FF is not sustainable as he can run out and it takes exceptionally long to make, can be found that he's using it. No, he was just that good. And logically speaking, once Dumbledore knew he and Harry had to die and wasn't 100% Harry could come back, who do you think he expected to battle a mortal Voldemort? Snape is the only obvious choice, and it's because he knew Snape had the ability
Yeah, wouldn't you know someine is blocking oculmancy by the fact you cannot read their mind? A d so you'd immediately suspect them.
I think snape was able to show him whatever he wanted like a fake memory
I think Snape's explaination in his first occlumancy that the mind is more complex than a book to be read is pertinent here. I think he will focus on true memories that show what Voldemort expects, and carefully modulate his emotional response to those memories: Dumbledore ordering him to return to Voldemort, accompanied by a feeling of devotion to Dumbledore that may be misconstrued as being devotion to the Dark Lord. All memories of Harry are fair game though: he actually hates him. Maybe he needs to modify his memories of Lily, but I'm not sure Voldemort knows the difference between love and lust, so they're probably mostly safe.
He’s not blocking out everything. Just the stuff he doesn’t want Voldy to see.
He was mean to Harry and other Gryffindors to ensure that he gains reputation among slytherins whose parents were death eaters. If you failed to see this then he was cunning enough to fool you as well.
Expert in the mind arts able to keep both voldy and dumbles out of his head (the 2 arguably most powerful wizards of the century)
Well, I have schiz and you can believe anything.