Who's to Blame/Ending Occulmency was Re: [HPforGrownups] Harry as Kreacher

[mooseming]

No: HPFGUIDX 100572

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "dumbledore11214"
<dumbledore11214 at y...> wrote:
snip
> 
> By the way, has Snape EVER left his chidhood behind?
> 
> 
> Alla

What an interesting question! 

This has helped me with some things I've been thinking about for the
last couple of days. I think you have provided the missing link which
was causing me grief.

The thoughts started along the lines of something big had to have
happened to James and Lily between years 5 (Snape's worst memory) and
year 7 to change relationship dynamics so that James stops being a
brat, Lily and James SHIP (can shipping be used as a verb like this?)
and James becomes head boy. As seen in previous threads there is a
strong parallel between HRH et al and the marauders et al so I began
to speculate that something will happen in year six to HRH and co
which will change their relationship dynamics (and possibly lead to
Seer!Ron headboy, H/R ship in book 7) and specifically lead to a more
brat like Harry, the reverse/negative of James as it were.

As I thought along these lines it occurred to me that Snape would be
present and possibly a participant in both of these changes in
character and then I began to wonder why?

ArrestedDevelopment !Snape is a useful tool to create a living bridge
between events in the past and current events, he can carry the
baggage, an emotional porter through time as it were.

Snape's character is also by way of a bridge in that he shares many
experiences with both Tom and Harry, has worked for both sides, and
(as proved by extended discussion on this site) is not easily
classified as good or bad.

Snape hasn't left Hogwart's nor the experiences of his childhood
there, his continued connection to the past is responsible for some
very bad choices and some less than noble behaviour. He can't see
Harry for what he is, only as the son of James, not even the son of Lily.

So there he is, Snape, a living, breathing (or not if vamp!Snape),
walking example to Harry of what happens if you can't forgive and move
on. The reflection of himself that Harry has to see to make the best
choice when the time comes, and when the time comes I believe Snape
will be there.

Why? Because Snape was there when Harry's parents were killed (ok ok
making it up now but bear with me) .

Quote from POA (my capitals)

"Like father, like son, Potter! I have just saved your neck you should
be thanking me on bended knee! You would have been well served if he'd
killed you! YOU'D HAVE DIED LIKE YOUR FATHER, too arrogant to believe
you might be mistaken in Black"

Snape saw James reaction to the news he'd been betrayed (mistakenly
thinking, as everyone did, the betrayer was Black.) 

So what if Snape came to warn the Potters and James didn't believe
him, not because he was too arrogant but because he couldn't see that
Snape had the capability to change. James is then partly responsible
for Lily's and his own death because he like Snape couldn't move on
and believe in people.

The events in Godric's hollow, Snape's role and James' role, will be a
primary motivator in the choices Harry has to make in his final
showdown with the Voldybeast. Critically Harry will have to see the
similarity between Snape and James, let go of the past and see
people's ability to change, something Lily could see all along,
something that marks you as a grown up.

Will Snape finally grow up too? Tom Riddle didn't and look what
happened to him - is this Snape's second chance?

Jo