Snape's behavior

[rainy_lilac]

Original Yahoo! HPFG Header:
No: HPFGUIDX C3991
From: rainy_lilac
Subject: Re: Snape's behavior
Reply To: [Yahoo! #3990] Snape's behavior
Date: 7/12/00 11:05 am  (ET)

Snape's feeling about Harry are multi-layered to say the least.

1.) He has a grudge against James because of the practical joke, an
explanation which I flet from the outset did not explain everything.

2.) As confirmed by Dumbledore, he is no longer on the side of Voldemort
(If ind this very convincing)-- yet still seems to get a lot of approval
from the Malfoys. I cannot remember Lucius ever interacting with him,
but Draco said at one point that he has told his father many times what
a fine teacher Snape is.

3.) We do know that whatever his feeligns might be about Potter, he went
well out of his way to protect him in the first book.

Theories:

1.) Is Snape guarding his ass by favoring Malfoy and antagonizing
Potter? I dunno.... maybe, but I think there are some real mixed feelings
there. If he were simply being cautious and did not want to let on about
his real loyalties, I would imagine he sunk himself by protecting Harry
from Quirrell.

2.) Thoroughly unconfirmed rumor: Snape was in love with Lily and tried to
protect her from Voldemort. Harry is a constant reminder of his failure
to do so.

3.) In The Connection interview, a caller asked Rowling "Will Snape
fall in love?" She was did not give away much in her answer, but she
did say that she was thunderstruck that someone would ask that because
there will be something important about Snape which we will learn later
on. (Can someone dig up her exact words?)

I have to say at this point, I really like Snape. I think he is one of
the most complex xharacters in the book!