[HPforGrownups] Snape/Lily and why it makes sense . . . (at least to me) -- part 1

[Amanda Lewanski]

No: HPFGUIDX 1812

Dr M M wrote:

<a lot of rather good analysis which states my instinctive "take" much better
than I could, but I think one more supporting point has been missed>

> As promised, here comes my longwinded analysis of why I think Snape was
> in love with Lily.

> I see him as having two emotions, intense hate and intense love.  There's
> no in
> between for him.

I, in fact, have a devoted, bitter enemy who was once a devoted admirer,
whose life was going to end if I didn't love him back. The type does exist.

> 1) Snape's hatred of James

<lots of snippage>

> 2) Snape's interactions with Harry

<more snips>

Now, I add #)  Dumbledore's faith in Snape.

Dumbledore seems, without a stated reason and apparently foolishly,
completely certain that Snape will never revert to being a Death Eater. It
might be that's because Voldemort would kill Snape as soon as he could, for
Snape's perfidy. But that's an external threat, and Snape seems to operate on
internals, those strong emotions. It's my considered opinion that, whatever
the original reason Snape became a spy in Voldemort's camp, Voldemort damned
himself in Snape's eyes when he killed Lily. No matter who she chose, no
matter if Snape had been humiliated, he had loved her and Voldemort made her
dead. In this light, Dumbledore's certainty, and his refusal to elaborate on
that certainty to Harry, both make sense.

>  I just know I like the idea.

Oh, me too. It was one of those "eureka" things that seemed to make lots of
sense. Probably because I've known that Snapelike person (who also idolized
my husband, way before we were married, and now hates him with unreasoning
passion).