Snape - right side for wrong reasons? (was: Snape is like Harry)

[Jenny from Ravenclaw]

No: HPFGUIDX 28928

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., tillrules at a... wrote:

  He's someone who is on the right side because his fear of 
Voldemort's rule is worse than his disdain for many of those on the 
"right" side.  Taht he will serve as a double agent makes him arguably 
brave, but it could also be almost self preservation due to his fears 
of Voldemort. He's really a sad petty man who is simply on the right 
side of the battle for now.>

Ooooo - them's fightin' words, David!  Fear for your life when Amanda 
reads this!

Okay, I agree with you that Snape is not likeable, but I don't see him 
as sad or petty (well, sometimes petty).  Snape, according to 
Dumbledore, turned away from Voldemort and the DEs at "great personal 
risk".  That doesn't sound like someone who is "simply on the right 
side of the battle for now" to me.  He also left Voldemort's side 
during Voldemort's height of power; what better position could he be 
seeking than one of Voldemort's inner circle?  Snape must have had 
some other reasons for leaving the DEs than just "fears of Voldemort" 
(I just wish I knew what those reasons are).  I'd have to say that 
Snape is definitely brave, not just arguably so.  Would you want 
someone like Voldemort to question your loyalties or choices?  I sure 
wouldn't.

There are times I feel for Snape, but not in such a way that I think 
he is sad.  When the trio hexed him in the Shreiking Shack, I now feel 
bad when reading that scene because Snape truly believed he was 
helping to stop a dangerous criminal from committing more crimes.  I 
agree with Amy Z and Cindy that Snape often is overshadowed by others' 
achievements.  Snape saved Harry's life and was bitten by Fluffy, he 
was hexed by the trio later and had his head smacked on the ceiling by 
Sirius, and was later embarrassed by Moody/Crouch when Snape was just 
investigating (justifiably) who might have broken into his office and 
stolen ingredients from him.  Meanwhile, Harry was, just as Snape 
suspected, a few feet away the entire time.  Snape gets the raw end of 
the deal - and still keeps his mouth shut about it.  There's nothing 
petty about that.

--jenny from ravenclaw, suddenly feeling warm and fuzzy towards Snape 
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