Sirius vs. Snape

[arrowsmithbt]

No: HPFGUIDX 99465

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "dumbledore11214" <dumbledore11214 at y...> 
wrote:
> >  If I had to choose who I want to cover my flank, Sirius or 
> > Snape, I wouldn't hesitate even a single second deciding.  
> > Neri
> 
> 
> Neri, for someone who is not the fan of the character, you are doing 
> a great job of defending the said character, IMO.
> 
> Yes, I would not hesitate either if I had to choose who I want to 
> cover my flank, but because of the only reason that  I am still a bit 
> afraid that Snape may switch sides.
> 
> I have no doubt that Snape can be just as loyal as Sirius was , the 
> problem is we still don't know where his true loyalties lie.
> Alla


It's all about motivations. If you know what's driving someone you 
can assess their reliabilty in a given situation, particularly in a low
intensity war such  as the one JKR has presented us with.

We're very  aware that this isn't a conflict between professional
armies; highly trained, strictly disciplined and taking a series of 
tactical objectives after careful planning. Generally, it's a series
of individual actions with the occasional larger skirmish thrown
in for fun. It's a conflict of agents, double-cross and assassins.

Would I trust  Snape? It depends. Trust him to fight Voldy - yes.
But if he were asked to say, take on Malfoy - no. And  IMO that's
a very good reason why he  shouldn't get involved in something
like the fight at  the Ministry.

He has, or seems to have, a reason for opposing Voldy (I've posted
many times on what I think the 'why' of this is), but it's likely that
it's personal . He's working to the principle that "My enemy's
enemy is my friend". His loyalty is limited and conditional and his
aims may not be entirely congruent with those of the Order. DD
gives the impression that he understands  what Snape's about
and why he is doing what he is. No-one else seems to.
Nice he ain't. Compelling he is. I do love nasty characters in
fiction.

In a different way Sirius is a bit of a problem. He has so many
faults he could  be a seismologists benefit. Does this matter?
Are his faults a sign that he can't be trusted or an illustration
that even the flawed can be true to an ideal? You pays your money
and you makes your choice. I've made mine and nailed my colours
to the mast. If I'm wrong, so what? Until all is revealed I'll have
a lot of fun defending my position.

This is what makes the books so interesting. There are only a 
limited number of cardboard cut-out characters that you can slap 
a label on and say with certainty "Good" or "Bad". Unfortunately
such ambiguity sits uncomfortably with some, they'd be happier
with a little more predictive certainty. Not me. I love it!

The ESE!Sirius/Nasty!Snape brouhaha is harmless fun for the most
part; partisan posters cheering on their favourite and rubbishing the
other. Highly entertaining; anyone who thinks it matters should
have a reality check.

For sure the ins and outs of Snape will eventually be revealed - I can
hardly wait. Interestingly, in the Web Chat in March JKR said that'll
we'll be learning more about Sirius in the future books. So his tale
is not yet complete. Hope it doesn't happen too soon, it would lower
my enjoyment index no matter which of the possible resolutions it
turned out to be.

Kneasy