Vengeance on Snape?Re: Snape--Abusive?

[syroun]

No: HPFGUIDX 115988


Sigune:
> Are you talking about the present OotP or the past OotP...
 
Syroun:
> See above...I think it is a question as to when he actually 
> defected - before LV's demise or after the war?

Christelle:
> It was before, when only those who know the prophecy could see the 
> end of LV's reign:
> 
> "Severus Snape was indeed a Death Eater. However, he rejoined our 
> side *before Lord Voldemort's downfall* and turned spy for us, at 
> great personal risk." (GOF, ch 30)
> 
> Now, did Snape heard the prophecy and thought to go before it was 
> too late?
 
Syroun:
Thanks for citing the basis for this premise in canon, Christelle. I 
thought that was the case, but did not take the time to look it up 
and since you are all so diligent in knowing these things from rote, 
I thought it best in my comments to leave some room for debate.

I think canon cited reinforces the premise that Snape is far more 
deeply involved in the DE inner workings than we realized, which 
leads me to my earlier thesis that Snape had helped LV in a 
substantial way through his prowess as a potions master. His 
understanding can be compared to a roadmap of sorts. As a DE, he was 
aware of LV's great plans for war and the outcome. Those plans are 
most likely still guiding thier actions now, as we see LVWII unfold. 
As I wrote earlier, the behaviour of the DE's as a group were likely 
more than even a Slytherinist such as Snape could stand and he 
defected, albeit quietly. Whether or not that was solely due to 
pangs from his conscience or practicality, is not yet know. 

It is often the case that those who prey on the weakness of others 
in pursuit of power, often do so under the guise of some self-
important justification (Turkish genocide of Armenians in 1911, 
German Nazis in WWII, Stalin's purges in the former USSR, Serbian 
ethnic cleansing in the former Yugoslavia, Israelis occupying 
Palestine for 37 years and counting, etc.). Those who seek power 
through their own interpretation of the world, will eventually find 
it justifiable to prey upon themselves, if it serves their grandios 
delusions. 

After all, for those with no conscience, the end always justifies 
the means. History is replete with these groups that justify their 
actions, just as Salizar Slytherin did and the DE's now do. There 
are those in the UK that criticize the HP series as a thinly-veiled 
inditement of the british aristocracy, perhaps with a bit less blood 
in the recent past.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out...Hermione and her 
efforts with SPEW; Harry disallowing Lupin and Sirius from killing 
Peter on the spot. These are only 2 examples of how JKR has 
developed "Harry's story" to illustrate how children can see through 
the web of complexity that we adults weave in society and come to 
better judgement on their own, than we could ever have expected. 

As a mother, I am relieved to see my 20 y.o. daughter making (some)
proper decisions on her own, without having to continually police 
her and lecture at every turn. Certainly, she also makes decisions 
that I do not quite appreciate, but it is still her own choice to 
learn from her mistakes. Harry, Ron and Hermione also do so and we 
sit back and watch it unfold. It seemed to turn out well for JKR, so 
we can take heart for the trio yet!

Syroun