Snape's reasons

[ats_fhc3]

No: HPFGUIDX 47399

Cassie wrote:
"First off, I'm sorry if this has been done to death."

Several times, in fact, and resurrected each time.

"I just rejoined this list so I don't know if someone's had this 
same arguement or not. If they have, then I'm just agreeing ^^."
> 
"I don't believe in the 'Snape joined LV because of some deep, 
emotional scars and defected when he 'saw the light' ' theory."

Neither do I. 
 
"My reason for both this joining LV and his defecting is this: He's 
a Slytherin through and through.  
I think he joined LV because he wanted power. Snape, however, wasn't 
blinded as many others were. He saw that LV would fall and joined 
the side he thought would give him what he wanted. Remember what the 
Sorting Hat said: 
'Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends, 
Those cunning folk use any means
To achieve their ends.'"

I was actually discussing this with my boyfriend earlier. I don't 
think that Snape is, or was, as interested inthe Dark Arts as people 
make him out to be. He seems to be better at potions, as well as 
liking it more than 'foolish wand-waving'. My persoanl opinion is 
that V-Mort seemed to offer more opportunities for Snape to create 
potions, and perhaps become the best postions master in all the WW. 
After all, that's power, isn't it? Dark Arts just came along with 
it. 
 
"Well, where exactly does it say 'any means' means lying and 
cheating and joining the 'dark side' and all that? 
Not that his conscience wouldn't figure in, but I think that's the 
main reason.  "

I'm pretty much with you. See above theory. As for why he left, I 
don't believe in a huge insight, such as realizing he was in love 
with someone (Waits patiently for flames and tomatoes). I think that 
he just gradually realized what he had gotten himself into. His 
conscience finally did figure in, if not in a rather hoarse voice 
after years of screaming to deaf ears. 

I am also one of those who believes that he has blood on his hands. 
And I am the biggest Snape fan. 

As for the 'any means' part, there's the proof that there are good 
Slytherins out there. Ambition is good, when used correctly. To take 
a personal example, when I got my job at college, I was ambitious to 
make it through training in the minimum time (5 weeks). I was also 
ambitious to get the job, and my superiors saw my ambition and are 
recommending me for a supervisor position.

I think that Snape just wanted to become as  good at potions as he 
possibly could, and literally used any means: going to LV. 

Happy last 15 minutes of Thanksgiving!
-Acire, who is thankful that Alan Rickman was included in People's 
Sexiest Men Issue.