Snape's hidden plan?

[lealess]

No: HPFGUIDX 136118

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, Salit <slgazit at s...> wrote:
> So... we have been arguing whether Snape's real allegiance was on 
DD's
> side or on LV's side. What if it is to neither? What if Snape
> (arguably the most talented wizard we've seen after DD and LV) 
really
> wants to rule the roost and not follow anyone's orders?
> 
lealess:

Let's assume Snape set out to eliminate the Big Two, but had to wait 
until Dumbledore was weak enough and Harry was trained enough to take 
on Voldemort.

Is Snape acting as though he is actually trying to take over the 
wizarding world?

(1) Where is he building his base?  Does he have followers, like 
Dumbledore and Voldemort do?  Has he tried to recruit followers?  
Does he even have friends?  Isn't he described as a loner in the 
books?

(2) Where has Snape tried to exert control over anyone else 
(successfully, not symbolically) before?  Has he been shown to use 
Imperius, Obliviate, or other mind-control techniques?  Has he told 
Big Lies?  Even the (mild and petulant) detentions given to Harry in 
HBP try to offer suggestion, not mind-altering coercion, about his 
father and godfather.  And if he wanted to get the truth from Draco, 
couldn't he have given him Veratiserum?

(3) Who fears Snape?  If Bellatrix and the group in the Astronomy 
Tower are any indication, the Death Eaters respect him, but might not 
follow him out of fear.  Even Wormtail listens in at doors in Snape's 
own home.

(4) Who loves Snape? enough to follow him.

(5) If there's a void created by a subsequent death of Voldemort, 
would Snape be able to step into it?  Who would welcome him?  What 
position does he hail from?  He is not Minister of Magic, or anything 
seemingly above the fray.  He's killed the beloved Dumbledore.  
Voldemort will be dispatched in some manner in due course.  Will the 
followers of the Big Two roll out the welcome mat for him then?

(6) What about Harry?  Isn't he the "and a Half" after the Big Two?  
Snape would have to defeat Harry, or his followers, assuming there is 
no Unbreakable Vow binding Snape from ever harming Harry.  Does he 
seem to be anticipating the day he faces Potter?  He's been pretty 
easy on him so far, not as psychologically intimidating as I would be 
if I wanted to throw an opponent off guard for a future fight.

I can see where eliminating the Big Two (and a Half, counting Harry) 
would allow Snape to lead a peaceful life, but... all evidence points 
to Snape being someone who ultimately lets others determine the 
course of their own lives, hoping they will leave him the hell 
alone.  I do not see him as a ruler, even with the Half-Blood Prince 
moniker.

lealess