Snape's birthday...will she or won't she?

[justcarol67]

Julie wrote:  
> So, will JKR wish Snape a "happy birthday" this year, or won't she?
> And what will it mean if she does or doesn't do so?
>  
> I suppose the most obvious intepretation of no wish would be that
Snape has joined the ranks of evil characters, thus JKR is no longer
recognizing his birthday, as she doesn't recognize Voldemort's, Lucius
Malfoy's, Bellatrix's, etc. 
>  
> Equally, the obvious interpretation of a happy birthday wish would
> be that Snape is DDM, one of the good guys.
>  
> So what do I think JKR will do? I don't think she will wish Snape a
happy birthday, though I believe he's DDM. Because how can JKR wish
even a DDM!Snape a happy birthday? At this moment (in canon) Snape is
either on the run or back with Voldemort. He's just killed his 
mentor, he is reviled by the WW, being hunted by Aurors, and along
with trying to keep his own skin perhaps also trying to keep Draco
alive and safe--or even trying to turn Draco to the "Good" side. Does
he really have the time or the inclination to celebrate his birthday,
let alone derive any "happiness" from it? <snip>
>  
> Though JKR could still note his birthday without extending good
wishes. But that's the most I can see her doing, which would
conveniently still leave Snape's alliegance and character (good vs
bad) up for grabs. 
>  
> Julie, waiting to see how JKR handles Snape's big day.

Carol:

I was going to tease you for having so little faith, but I'll be nice.
Assuming that JKR has control of the site and it isn't simply
programmed to wish a happy birthday to the people who were on the
original OoP-oriented list (minus the now-dead Dumbledore), she
clearly *is* wishing our Severus a happy birthday. And we know she
doesn't wish a happy birthday to out-and-out baddies like Voldemort
and Bellatrix. 

How do I explain her birthday wishes given the circumstances you
describe? Simple. She's wishing him a happy 48th (yes, I think he was
born in 1959), not a retrospective happy 39th. His 1997 birthday
cannot have been a happy one, but today, as a St. Mungo's researcher
and textbook author (my predictions for his future as recorded in the
Epilogue), he can certainly be happy. He could even be married and
have kids by now. Well, okay, no daughters. ;-)

Carol, ecstatic that JKR wished Sevvie a happy birthday and sure that
it portends good things for DDM!Snape and his fans