Snape

[T.M. Sommers]

No: HPFGUIDX 70500

Here is my take on Snape:

He was a typical Slytherin, and shared Malfoy's and Riddle's 
views on bloodlines.  He joined the DE because he agreed with 
their program of restricting magic to 'purebloods'.  However, he 
has some scruples.  He had no problem with tormenting muggles and 
muggle-borns, but he objected on principle to killing.  So when 
the killings started, he offered his services to Dumbledore. 
Dumbledore of course knew Snape, and knew him well enough to 
accept that Snape's betrayal of Voldemort was based on princple, 
which is why Dumbledore trusts him.

Snape's saving of Harry from Quirrell could be seen as 
confirmation of Shape's opposition to killing.

This theory does not require Snape to have changed his views 
regarding purity of blood.  He can still be a bigot.  It also 
does not require him to be a saint, or to be an ultra-pacifist. 
He is not necessarily opposed to all killings, but he has some 
concept of justifiable killing, perhaps such as in self-defense 
or war, and unjustifiable killing, such as killing muggles for sport.

I compare Snape to a Klansman who is all in favor of burning 
crosses, but who draws the line at lynching, and turns state's 
evidence.

Finally, note the similarity to James: James was all in favor of 
tormenting Snape, but he, too, drew the line at a prank that 
would have killed him.  James, however, seems to have realized 
the error of his ways, and reformed completely.  Snape's reform, 
if he did reform, seems at best partial.