Did Snape betray his friends? Round 2

[marinafrants]

No: HPFGUIDX 34754

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "cindysphynx" <cindysphynx at h...> wrote:

> Once Snape saw the truth, he realized he had made a mistake.  He 
> couldn't simply flee; he would be hunted down and killed.  He had to 
> be on Dumbledore's team or he was doomed.  So he proposed returning 
> to Dumbledore's team.  It was Dumbledore, not Snape, who required 
> concrete proof of Snape's change of heart (ambush?).  
> 
> In a way, Snape's conversion wasn't noble.  It was primarily an act 
> of self-preservation.  Fleeing would result in certain death.  
> Joining Dumbledore entailed risk, true, but it had the advantage of 
> allowing Snape a certain amount of revenge against Voldemort and the 
> Death Eaters.  Snape would be risking his life to bring down the 
> Prince of Lies.  This is consistent with Snape's vindictive, grudge-
> bearing personality.

My problem with this theory is that it doesn't properly account for
Snape's mission at the end of GoF.  If Snape defected from the DE
cause they treated him badly, and cut a deal with Dumbledore to save
his neck and get revenge -- well, he accomplished both those things
fifteen years ago.  Why stick his precious neck out again now, when
the safest thing for him to do is to lie low at Hogwarts or to run?
Karakoff, who we *know* cut a deal to save his neck, is slinking off
with his tail between his neck, but Snape is sticking around and,
apparently, going right back into the viper pit.  Not the behavior of
a man who's only out for himself.

> 
> Although I agree that empathy with victims can cause someone to 
> change sides, I also think having one really nasty experience (like 
> being disrespected and tortured and demeaned) can take all of the
fun 
> out of being a Death Eater also.  Having Snape's conversion rest on 
> one of those fuzzy, heart-warming flashbacks to stolen moments with 
> Lily in the cold dungeon will make me want to hurl.

I'll join you in opposition to anything warm and fuzzy when it comes
to Snape.  Save the warm fuzzies for a more suitable character, like
Hagrid or Harry.  As a proud adherent of S.P.A.C.E.M.A.N., I love my
Snape just the way he is, prickly and slimy.  Yet brave and
principled.

Marina (going off to cuddle George)
rusalka at ix.netcom.com