Snape Haters Hold Your Nose WAS: Harry is right

[Cindy]

No: HPFGUIDX 137437

> --- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Julia" <jolka55 at p...> wrote:
> > What's more interesting IMO 
> > is the fact that throughout the whole HBP Harry is right in his 
> > suspicions about Draco and Snape. He guesses right about Draco's 
> > involvment with DEs, his Mission, him being in Room of 
Requirement, 
> > the attack on Hogwarts etc. He's right. Which is unexpected 
because 
> > before that Harry's suspicions were always wrong.

<daveshardell at y...> wrote:

 I found this interesting too; a few weeks ago I wrote that I felt 
this 
> was a possible clue that Snape really is evil, because a 
significant 
> aspect of this book is that Harry is right despite the doubts of 
> others.  This along with his newfound maturity in dealing with his 
> suspicions suggest to me that JKR is trying to tell us that Harry 
> understands the situation better than others and can trust his 
> instincts in a way that he couldn't before, and therefore it would 
> seem that Snape is truly evil.  
> 
> If it turns out that he is wrong about Snape, that would go 
against 
> this major theme of HBP; however this could be his last obstacle 
to 
> maturity.  If Snape presents a believable explanation of events 
and 
> perhaps proves his loyalty to DD instead of the DEs, it could be a 
> final hurdle that Harry has to overcome, trusting Snape despite 
his 
> feelings about him, and this decision could pave the way to his 
> victory.
> 
> - davenclaw

In regard to presenting a believable explanation:

In post #137345, I wrote about how DD appeared to be revealing 
secrets to Draco about Snape.  He was taking Draco into his 
confidence, how he trusts Snape, only to hear how he is a foolish 
old man.  In light of this, the fact that Snape took the Unbreakable 
Vow which puts him directly in opposition to Voldemort's orders, 
along with the evidence that has been hashed out on this list that 
appear DD's days were truly numbered and last but not least Snape 
was given the DADA position when DD knew he could only have a one 
year term...I would like to propose that DD was passing the baton, 
but not to Harry.

I think everyone agrees that Snape is a jackass.  He was bullied, is 
a bully and sees everything through the lens of people trying to 
take advantage of him or make him appear foolish.  However, he is 
brilliant, he is a genius at potions and has powers that rival 
Voldemorts. When he tells the first years that he can teach them to 
bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death...that ain't no lie 
folks. But he isn't infallible.  He kept DD alive after the horcrux 
cursed him, but he still paid a price with a dead hand. The argument 
in the forest?  How about..."Look, don't take my powers of keeping 
you alive for granted. If you keep going out and doing dangerous 
things, I may not be able to bring you back! You are dying a slow 
death already!" 

Now let's go to the dreadful scene at the tower.  Draco did not have 
it in him to kill DD. Mission accomplished for the headmaster, 
between DD's persuasion and Snape taking the vow.  DD is pleading 
with Snape..."Severus...please..." please what? Take his life? Spare 
his life?  What if he is pleading for Snape to do what they have 
been planning since DD's hand was blackened, and almost certainly 
since the horcrux secret had been discovered? What did he want Harry 
to witness while bound and invisible? DD was the greatest wizard who 
every lived, so I do not think he would not have a plan B in the 
event of his death.  

I believe DD was pleading for Snape to step up.  "The mystery of the 
invincibility of Voldemort is solved. It is now time to focus our 
energies on destroying the horcruxes and I have done my part...but I 
am no longer able to do it--this potion has finished me. Please, 
Severus, it is time to reveal your true loyalty and take my place in 
assisting Harry." 

In that moment, Snape made his decision.  What we will not know 
until book 7 is what his actions (apart from the actual murder, he 
had to do it or die at that point) really meant. Did he, in that 
moment, decide he had had enough of DD, enough of this wizard who 
was no longer powerful and foolishly drank the potion that was now 
killing him? This wizard, while showing him great kindness and 
respect, also looked the other way when he was a teenager.  Perhaps 
the only reason he could forgive DD for not expelling Sirius is 
because DD saw the good in everyone, he did not play favorites, 
because everyone was treated like his favorite, even Tom Riddle. So, 
say nothing, kill the old man to put him out of his misery and save 
his own life, make it look good to the Death Eaters to somehow 
redeem himself to Voldemort. The King is dead, long live the Dark 
King.       

Or, 

Did Snivelus take over?  Was Snape ready to take the baton, declare 
to all present that DD was dying and he, Severus Snape, was ready to 
take on Voldemort...but at the last minute got cold feet?  Was it 
easier to just kill the already dying DD and run for it because 
there was no way in hell that he could ever work with 
that 'insufferable' Harry? "COWARD!" screamed Harry...and Snape sees 
James Incarnate, attempting to use his spells against him AGAIN--
confirmation that Harry is his father's son. The white hot fury and 
indignation...but yet he did not kill Harry and he had nothing to 
lose by doing so.   

I can imagine Dumbledore coming to Snape shortly after finding out 
there are four horcruxes to be destroyed and knowing he will be 
departing shortly to destroy the locket..."I will give my life for 
yours Severus, if Draco makes an attempt to kill me. Draco can be 
saved, he is not yet the killer Voldemort wants him to be. It is 
worth the price. I would have been disappointed if you had not 
accepted the vow. You will have to kill me Severus, or Draco will be 
lost. When I am gone, whether it is you or the horcrux, you must 
take my place beside Harry."  

Love and sacrifice, even for one's enemies. This is the legacy of 
Albus Dumbledore. This may be the legacy of Severus Snape in book 7--
with a little help from Harry and the Horcruxes.  

Cindy