Compassionate and Selfless Snape! (experiencing love)

[Brenda M.]

No: HPFGUIDX 110430

>>> Alla wrote before: 
> admittedly his most compassionate moments may have had
> *other* motivations, but that doesn't mean that compassion was
> absolutely *not* a motive--for example, in PS, Snape's counter-
> curse to keep Harry from falling off of his broom has been brushed 
> off as just having been done so Snape could even himself with 
James for saving his life
> 
>>> Mel responded: 
> I disagree in that it is not "compassionate" by definition to not 
> want someone dead.  I don't want anyone to die, but that is not a 
> show of compassion for them, it's a general morality decision.  It 
> doesn't mean I have any feeling for them one way or another. <<<


Brenda now:

True, it *is* a general morality decision, but if you had 
just 'volunteered' to save someone's life without letting him know, 
I'll say it does reflect some degree of compassion. I realize you 
can argue that Snape was the only one who really knew Quirrell's 
true intention and only he could have saved Harry. I will even 
stretch this to say if Snape had not muttered counter-jinx here 
Snape IS a real cold-hearted bastard. Any moral upright human being 
would have done so.

What is more impressive is that he had volunteered to referee for 
the next Quidditch match, 'making himself unpopular' according to 
Quirrell. Seems to me Snape was genuinely concerned for Harry's life 
and had enough compassion to make further attempts in preventing 
possible disasters.

And the real biggie: I have yet to hear Snape gloating over Harry on 
this?? I don't recall him ever saying "Remember Potter, I saved your 
life and this is how you treat me?" So he quietly saved Harry's life 
but never rubbed it in his face? Not even to staffs? It seems to me 
the only people who know about this is Quirrell and Dumbledore.

Brenda