Snape's Stubbornness

[bbkkyy55]

No: HPFGUIDX 127011


I suppose you all may have discussed this before, but for the life of 
me I can't understand Snape.  I've been reading POA again.  At the 
end Snape is so certain that Sirius is the bad guy and refuses to 
listen to any explanation that goes against his ideas.  He refuses to 
even listen to or consider Hermione or Harry's evidence, to the point 
of childishness.  Yet we know that at the end of GOF he is told the 
truth by DD.  In OOTP Snape is in the Order with Sirius.  Snape at 
some point must have realized he was dead wrong about Sirius.  When 
Sirius dies in OOTP, surely you would expect Snape to soften up, but 
he still treats Harry badly when they meet by the front doors at the 
end of the book.  Why doesn't he stop to think he may have been wrong 
about other things also?  Like his attitude toward James and Harry 
and Lupin.

In chapter 21 of POA:

" 'You surely don't believe a word of Black's story?' Snape 
whispered, his eyes fixed on Dumbledore's face. 

.......'Sirius Black showed he was capable of murder at the age of 
sixteen,' he breathed.  'You haven't forgotten that, Headmaster?  You 
haven't forgotten that he once tried to kill me?' "

How can someone hold a grudge for sooooo long?  There's got to be 
more to it than that.  It doesn't make sense.  

I don't trust Snape for one minute.  His stubbornness and meanness to 
the students, Harry in particular is inexcuseable.  Someone so mean 
minded cannot to my mind be a "good guy".  I don't know why DD trusts 
Snape.  JKR, I hope, will come up with something believable; but I 
think it's a very long shot.   

Looking at the problem from another angle, why does Snape trust DD?  
If Snape really believes as he seems to, why does he trust DD when DD 
so obviously trusts Harry?

Snape's whole attitude is a great mystery to me and I can't figure out how it can possibly work out.  Whether Snape turns out to be a bad guy or a good guy, I will have a million questions.

Anyone out there with some ideas?

Bonnie