[HPforGrownups] Severus Snape: The grudge and the very long LOLLIPOPS biography...

[Amanda Lewanski]

No: HPFGUIDX 28833

Tabouli wrote:

an impeccable treatise on Snape and his love for Lily. Bravo, my friend!
And thank you for not only taking up the banner when I had to set it
down, but affixing said banner to a shiny boat!

Your analysis impresses me. I too think that saying Snape loved Lily
does *not* mean they were ever an "item." I think he went out on a limb
and told her his feelings; I think she was a loving enough person to let
him down easy. I think she probably even did it so that he didn't hate
her for it, far from it.

But I think that part of the irrational James-hatred is a suspicion
(fear is not the right word, what is..?) that not only did he get the
lady Snape loved, but he may have *known* Snape loved her, that she
turned him down. That takes the gracious letdown, and makes it
humiliating. I think Snape did a neat bit of sublimation with the
James/Lily thing, putting all the negatives on to James (not too hard,
already disliking him and all).

This scenario, to me, is the most likely to explain the ambivalence and
strength of Snape's feelings. I think also that what snapped Snape's
bond to Voldemort was that Voldemort killed Lily. Snape seems the sort
to disregard societal norms in favor of an internal code, strictly
adhered to, and Voldemort crossed some line in destroying Lily. I think
Snape is the one Voldemort *thinks* is gone forever. And I think
Voldemort knows why.

So I also think that Snape's task was to go back to Voldemort and say
Master, I've gotten over it, she was only an obstacle to your greater
goal, she was expendable, I have been so foolish. And I think the reason
Snape was pale was not the pain he faced, but having to say these words
of betrayal.

I also think Snape would be toast, frankly, no matter what he said,
except that Voldemort desperately needed a trump like a highly placed
Hogwarts administrator right about then, to convince his disheartened
DeathEaters that he still had a chance. Harry's escape opened the door
for Snape to survive his reunion with his former master. I think by the
time of the end-of-year feast in GoF, Snape has already begun his task.

Okay, much as I love my old soapbox, I yield it to Tabouli again. Steer
your ship well, and go through some of the old messages (go way back and
search on my name and Snape) and see how we resonate!

--Amanda

> SEVERUS SNAPE

Didn't read this part, sorry, too much like fanfic....



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