Questions on the Heads of Houses

[terri-testing.livejournal.com]

So, a couple of questions I wanted to toss out about the Heads of Houses.

First, Snape, the Head of Slytherin, seems to be much younger (31 when we and Harry meet him) than the other Heads of House.  But, at (by?) that time he seems to have the support of his students (as well as supporting/defending them).  In particular, in second year we see Draco Malfoy sucking up to him by suggesting his father (who is on the Board of Governors) would support Snape's possible candidacy to be Headmaster.  

On the other hand, someone (Jodel?  Whitehound?  Swythyv? Oneandthetruth?  I'm not remembering at this time) suggested that Snape might have been installed as Head of Slytherin to weaken the house (given his dependence on Dumbledore).  (And that the loss of the Slug Club funnelling fresh talent into the Ministry did fatally weaken it to the point Voldemort found it possible to topple it with one blow.)

So.

Do we have canon how much Snape's house supported him?

Do we have canon when he was actually installed as Head?  I always assumed he replaced Slughorn as Head of Slytherin and Potions Master simultaneously in 1981, but that's an assumption.  So my assumption Snape was to credit for that long string of Slytherin House Cup victories might not be correct.

And... the Board of Governors has something to say about the headmastership.  What about House Heads?  Was Snape, whatever year he was installed as Head of Slytherin House, installed with their approval, against their will, or what?

Comments

Re: Headmaster Slughorn

[maidofkent.livejournal.com]

I have wondered whether the situation in 1981 could have been a reverse of the one at the start of HBP. As you say, Dumbledore needed an open position for Severus, and he did not want that to be the DADA post. Why not ask his old 'friend' Sluggy to teach DADA for a year - difficult times, Dumbledore needs someone skilled and loyal in the post, and it would only be for a year, then you can go back to Potions. Young Snape could cover meanwhile.

That way, Slughorn remains as head of Slytherin in September 1981, allowing Severus the necessary free time to dance, apparently, to Voldemort's orders.

If Slughorn came to realise in whatever way that Voldemort was the same person as the charmer with the interest in Horcruxes, and then resigned in guilt, that would then be the DADA curse in action.

Re: Slughorn and the DADA curse

[terri-testing.livejournal.com]

Resigned in guilt... now THAT's an interesting take!

Re: Slughorn and the DADA curse

[oryx_leucoryx]

Wasn't that the reason for his resignation in your 'Unlikely Allies'? (Any chance for more of that? Or Folly?)

Re: Headmaster Slughorn

[sunnyskywalker]

What an interesting idea! And it does seem possible given Slughorn's personality.