Sympathy for Snape

[zebco606]

No: HPFGUIDX 64688

Now that we've seen Snape's memory of his treatment by James, Sirius 
and the gang, JK Rowling seems to want us to see Snape as a more 
sympathetic character. While I can definitely see how Snape's 
childhood memories could help to shape him into the man he is, this 
is the man who was willing to give Sirius over to the dementors when 
he KNEW he was innocent of James and Lily's deaths. In book 5, 
Sirius is still a man on the run, in fear for his life. I realize 
that part of the reason for this is Dumbledore's waining influence 
with Fudge, but surely if Snape (and others) were to come forward, 
take the Veritas potion and tell the story he would be a free man.

I realise that Sirius (and James) had things that they should have 
been sorry for, but there would have to be something much more 
horrific in his treatment of Snape that has not yet been revealed 
for Snape to be a sympathetic figure.

Sirius' death would have been much easier to accept is he had been 
able to be free to perform some service to the Order of Phoenix 
before he died.