Notes: Chapter Eight

There was a very significant change to chapter 8: We finally get to see a bit of Snape’s point of view. Originally, when I first wrote this story, I swore to myself that there would be no Snape POV. I was afraid it would give too much away. I wanted Snape’s actions and reactions to remain a surprise, and I felt that letting you all in on his private thoughts concerning the whole matter would jeopardise the surprise. But I constantly got requests for Snape’s POV. So I had to learn to write a Snape POV that was satisfying, that let the reader feel as though they were gaining some insight into his persona, without giving anything away. Which sounds easier than it is, for me at any rate.

The main concern I had was that once I wrote his POV, I wouldn’t be able to stop. And that was partly true. I keep trying to fit his POV in to more and more chapters. I love writing this Snape. He’s sarcastic and scathing, utterly Slytherin, and a lot of fun to write. I have a lot of ideas and thoughts concerning my Snape, and many of them don’t mesh perfectly with canon. However, I am able to explore these thoughts fully in this story, which is quite addicting, really.

I don’t want to give anything away, but I’ll give you a brief peek into my Snape’s persona. As I said, he’s scathing and sarcastic. But he doesn’t do it to be funny. He doesn’t do it to be mean, or witty, or because he’s a Slytherin. That’s just how he thinks. The fact that some people find his sarcastic wit funny puzzles him, because as I said, he doesn’t do it to be funny. That’s purely him. He’s also purely Slytherin. I have a very interesting take on the whole Slytherin persona.

For me, Slytherins are the ultimate pragmatist. They can be practical to the point of ruthlessness, though to them, they both mean the same thing. For my Slytherins, ninety percent of the time, the ends do justify the means. Why are many Slytherins bisexual? Because they’re equal opportunity lovers. Having sex with both males and females gives them twice as many partners to choose from. Slytherins see the grey in every situation. There is no only black or only white, nothing is either purely right or purely wrong, ultimately good or ultimately evil. They’re ambitious, of course. They aspire to high positions. For money, for power, for connections, yes, but mostly to prove it to themselves and others. The challenge is what they relish. The chance to show others, look what I can do. Look what I have. Look at me.

Yes, Slytherins will use you if they need to. From a Slytherin perspective, if you’re weak enough to be used, that’s not their problem. Yes, they can be sneaky. Yes, they can be cunning. But those aren’t bad things, in and of themselves.

Slytherins are opportunists, pure and simple. Why did Lucius defect to the side of the Order? Because they were obviously going to win. Self-preservation ranks high on the list of Slytherin needs. Another reason he defected was because of his pride. The Malfoy line is an ancient and pure family. He would not tolerate being used by a Dark Lord who was less than himself. He would not tolerate being a lackey, and Lucius was smart enough to realize that Voldemort didn’t have followers, he had slaves. And no Malfoy would ever stoop so low. Least of all him.

So, what makes a Slytherin? Self-preservation, pragmatism, pride, cunning, ambition, and the ability to see all the many shades of grey. In the end, Slytherins don’t care for right or wrong, for good or bad. They care for themselves most of all. To be a Slytherin is practically to be family. They are fiercely loyal to their own, so long as the Slytherin in question is fit to be called a Slytherin. And that, readers, is what my Slytherins are made of. Not all of them, of course. And not all of them will feel all of the above. But hopefully, this may give you some insights in to my favourite playmates of all: the Slytherins.