Snape -- Why so many fans?

[justanopinion2001 at hotmail.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 25577

My biggest surprise as a newbie has been all the adoration for 
Snape.  I've read a LOT of posts about him on this board and 
SNAPEFANS, and I haven't gotten a good feeling about why people would 
be nuts about him the way others are about Lupin or Black.

My recollections of Snape are pretty negative:  he embarrassed Harry 
on the first day of Potions.  He threatened to use truth serum on 
Harry.  He tied up Lupin and tried to give Black to the Dementors.  
He tried to expose Lupin as a werewolf by covering the topic in 
Lupin's class, and when that didn't work, he blabbed it on purpose.  
He ridicules Neville.  He mistreats Hermione.  He has called Harry a 
liar at least once (Goblet of Fire).  

Yes, he saved Harry in PS/SS, and yes, it looks like he's on 
Dumbledore's team.  But what are the Snape Fans seeing that I am 
missing?  Would someone care to explain this?

Laura (who really "gets" grey-haired Lupin and matted-hair Black, but 
is having some trouble with greasy-haired Snape)