Snape as baddie (was: Snape and expulsion)

[pcaehill2]

No: HPFGUIDX 109432

Vic wrote:
[snip]
> I'm not convinced by the 'Snape as baddie' theory. While he is 
> certainly *capable* of playing both sides off against each other, 
> I'm not sure that it would be the wisest thing for him from a 
> personal point of view. And, whatever else you may think of him, 
> Snape has always been able to look out for his own best interests. 
> When the fake Mad-Eye Moody went for him in GoF (I'm convinced 
> that there was more to it than simply searching Snape's office), 
> Snape could have walked out. When Karkaroff conferred with him on 
> whether or not to run, Snape could have gone with him. When 
> Dumbledore asked him to spy on Voldemort, he could have said no. 
> The fact that he didn't do any of these things points to one of 
> two things:
> 1. a sense of honour (it's not unheard of, you know) 
> 2. enlightened self-interest.

Pam responds:
I'm with you, I don't think Snape is ever-so-evil.  His emotional 
range is stunted, his interpersonal skills are (to put it mildly) 
underdeveloped, and he holds grudges indefinitely.  But is he 
capable of a sense of honour? Imho, yes. I know his treatment of 
Harry has been abominable at times, and I do think he "shirked his 
duty" by stopping the occlumency lessons, but...there is some bond 
between him and Dumbledore, some reason for their mutual trust and 
loyalty, that has not yet been satisfactorily explained. 

And I don't think you can put it all down to the "Snape-was-in-love-
with-Lily" or "Snape-hates-having-a-life-debt-to-James" motives: 
over and above his acts to save Harry's life is his loyalty to 
Dumbledore and the Order. Where does that come from? I think JKR 
will reveal more here.

Pam