Sirius / Severus

[melclaros]

No: HPFGUIDX 86044

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "justcarol67" : 
> 
> I don't agree that Severus is on his own side or that he's seeking
> vengeance at any cost. If that were true, he would have murdered
> Sirius and Lupin in the Shrieking Shack 

me:
Ah, but he's not stupid. Had he killed Lupin in the Shrieking Shack 
(the jury's out on what would have happened had he killed Black) he 
would have been thrown in Azkaban himself. Can't make much progress 
on a quest from prison.




carol:
and would not have attempted
> to save Harry on several occasions (countering Quirrell's spell,
> conjuring up stretchers to carry him and the others from the 
Shrieking> Shack, alerting the Order about Harry's intention to enter 
the MoM).

me:
He would have if he was seeking vengance on someone who's *own* sole 
purpose is the disposal of Harry. Picture old Voldy twirling his 
mustache muttering "Curses! Foiled again!" I think that would fit 
right into our Severus' plan. The man needs *some* fun.




Carol:
>Something very powerful is
> motivating him to remain loyal to Hogwarts and Dumbledore. I don't
> think it has anything to do with Lily, but it undoubtedly ties in 
with
> the blood debt to James, which I think he tried but failed to pay. 
(I
> agree with the person who said that he tried to alert James to the
> danger of betrayal but failed to save him and feels obligated to 
make
> up for that failure by saving Harry once and for all.) But there's
> something else, too--something that causes Dumbledore to trust him 
and
> that prevents him from ever rejoining the Death Eaters. And whatever
> it is, it isn't fear of death at the hands of Voldemort. Snape is an
> odd combination of usually opposing characteristics: cunning and
> courage. To reduce his motive to simple vengeance is IMHO to greatly
> underestimate him.


Absolutely. I agree with evey word. I'm among those who believe 
Severus attempted to save the Potters before Godric's Hollow. I also 
believe he was the infamous eavesdropper and it was he who brought 
the whole filthy plan to Dumbledore's attention and did whatever he 
did "at great personal risk" to attempt to stop it. THAT's why 
Dumbledore trusts him, IMO. THAT's why Dumbledore won't tell Harry 
why he trusts him *and* why he never gave the name of the 
eavesdropper.
We will find out what he did, and precisely why he did it but likely 
not until book 7--I believe he was present at Godric's Hollow that 
night. 


None of this, however, precludes a personal motive.  Rest assured, I 
will *never* underestimate Severus.

Mel