Snape and Redemption (was: JKR's best interview)

[Emily Rose]

No: HPFGUIDX 75759

I'm going to respond to a few comments that got me thinking...

From: "frumenta" <p_yanna at hotmail.com>


> First of all, welcome to the list! Good to have another Snape fiend
> among us. Now, I think that for Snape to want to see Harry fall 50
> feet down to his death because of what his father did, would be a
> bit much, don't you think?
> 

Thanks.  I'd say "Snape Fiend" is a little extreme.  It's more like he was
wallpaper before and now I've realized he's actually an integral part of the
room.  :)

As for wanting Harry to hit the ground, I'm sure you're right, Snape
wouldn't have done it.  Then again, speaking of extremes, Snape is a fairly
extreme guy.  I'm sure he would have at least enjoyed thinking about it.  I
know that if I'd had my dirty grey underpants exposed to the entire school
by Harry's dad I would have...

 
>  From: "Regina" <rmm7e at yahoo.com>
> 
> --- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, Emily Rose <jedillore at r...>
> wrote:
>> We also know from Book 4 that Voldemort
>> knows that Snape isn't coming back and he's pissed off about it.
> 
> How do we know this? Is this in reference to Voldemort's speech in
> the graveyard, when he says he believes one has left him forever and
> will be killed? I had assumed that V was referring to Snape at the
> time I read it, but now I'm not so sure.
> 

Well, one thing I've noticed about Rowling is that she plays her cards close
to her chest until she's ready to reveal her hand, but when she does it's
very obvious.

For instance, we find out Harry is a parselmouth during the second chapter
of Sorcerer's Stone, but like a good magician she distracts us with other
stories about shrinking sweaters and disappearing glass.  The fact that
Harry talked to the snake first hardly appears extraordinary compared to the
rest.  But in the second book we realize that not only is it extraordinary,
but also pivotal to the whole 7 year story arc - way more important than the
disappearing glass.

In the graveyard in Book 4 Voldemort looks at a space in his circle of death
eaters and names two:  "One, too cowardly to return...He will pay.  One, who
I believe has left me forever, he will be killed of course."  I have always
felt that at least one of these guys is Snape (and the other is Karkaroff
since the he was blithering around in Snape's classroom afraid of the mark
on his hand).  So Voldemort is either going to make him pay or kill him - a
bad deal either way.  But you're right, he never actually says Snape.  It
could be Lupin and Sirius for all we know, but when we do find out, it's
going to be obvious as hell.

And you know, in re-reading that passage I just noticed something that for
Harry was a big revalation in book 5:  "Dumbledore invoked an ancient magic,
to ensure his protection as long as he is in his relation's care.  Not even
I can touch him there."  So during book 5, the big mystery as to who sent
Petunia the howler, why does Harry have to stay at #4 Privet drive when it
seems much safer to be under the protection of the Weasley's et al, and why
do the Dursley's bother to keep him around when they obviously despise him
has already been answered for us in the previous book.  Unfortunately once
again I was too distracted by all the other stuff going on to notice...


> But what if Voldemort still believes Snape is loyal to him? The whole
> Occlumency thing...Voldemort knows when someone is lying to him
> because he is a Legilimens. But if Snape is skilled at occlumency, he
> would be able to prevent Voldemort from entering his mind and knowing
> that he's lying. So it's possible that Voldemort still thinks he's
> loyal. 

Oy.  When it comes to occlumency and legilimensy, I'm about as confused as
Harry.  You could be right.  I have no idea.

>The big question is what makes DD so sure Snape is on his
> side? Can't wait to find out.

Neither can I.  

-e