Harry and Ron’s potions teacher Professor Snape who
has always demonstrated great antipathy towards Harry joins the Order of the
Phoenix. Harry, thus, expects Snape to treat him a bit better than usually
since they are now connected in their fight against Lord Voldemort. Nevertheless,
Professor Snape continuous to torment Harry which leads to Ron’s conclusion:
“’Poisonous toadstools don’t change their spots’”[1]
This
proverb has its origin within the bible and can be found in Jeremiah 13:23 where
the prophet Jeremiah tries to persuade a vicious shepherdess to change and
become good. His attempts are, however, unfruitful, whereupon he comes to the
conclusion: “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then
may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.”[2] Just
like a leopard that has no chance of changing his spots, a person cannot change
his character even if he tried and pretended to have succeeded.
In
the wizarding world the leopard has been replaced by poisonous toadstools. Just
like the horse, a leopard has no magical powers and is, thus, unappealing to
the wizarding community. This poisonous mushroom, however, plays an important
role in Herbology and Potions classes. It is just as dangerous as leopards
while both are covered with spots. This substitution is, for that reason, very
fitting.
In
his description of Snape Ron does not only refer to Snape’s negative treatment
of Harry but also to his inclination towards the dark arts. The other members
of the Order know of Snape’s past as supporter of Lord Voldemort but they have to
trust in Dumbledore’s convincement of Professor Snape’s abjuration from his old
master. Ron and Harry are, nonetheless, very suspicious. Ron is convinced that
tormenting Harry and admiring the Dark Lord are character trades Severus Snape
cannot get rid of even if he pretends otherwise.
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