Whom does Snape REALLY love?

[Jen Reese]

No: HPFGUIDX 138631

> 1. In her greatest need, Narcissa comes to Snape for help. What
> arguments does she use to convince him? She *doesn't* use any of
> "you're honor bound to help your friend Lucius". She doesn't use
> "you're honor bound to help Draco because you're a DE/ Slytherin/
> old gang member". Nope, her arguments are much more convincing
> than that: she calls him "Severus", she praises him, she gasps,
> she sobs, she clutches her long blond hair, she casts her cloak 
> aside and falls on his sofa with trembling hands clasped, she 
> sheds tears on his chest (no, I'm *not* exaggerating. She most
> canonically sheds them on his chest), she pleads, she actually 
> kneels before him and kisses his hand, darn it. And it works. How 
> did she know that this approach would work on a confirmed SOB like
> Snape?

Jen: Heh, just had to reprint this part because I like it so much. 
And it points to a few things Narcissa seems to know will work with 
Snape:

* "You are the *only* one who can help me."
*"He trusts you so Severus....
*"You are the Dark Lord's favorite, his most trusted advisor (huh? 
his most trusted advisor is a spy?)

And in the moment when Snape suggests it might be possible to help 
Draco, Narcissa in rapid succession flings her glass, kneels at 
Severus' feet, kisses his hand and asks for an Unbreakable. Snort! 
He's so been had. And Snape? "His black eyes were fixed upon 
Narcissa's tear-filled blue ones." Just say no, Severus.

Neri::
> 4. As Bella correctly notes, Snape could have easily slither away
> from this specific responsibility. None of the Death Eaters would
> expect him to guard Draco or act against the spirit of the Dark
> Lord's explicit orders. He could have easily ushered Narcissa out
> with some vague promises that he'll do what he can. But no, he
> makes her an Unbreakable Vow. The BIG sacrifice. Why?

Jen: Yes, he could. Bella is in disfavor with LV at the moment. 
Narcissa via Lucius' mistake is faced with sacrificing her son for 
hubby's mistakes. Snape just went through a litany of mostly self-
serving explanations for why the Dark Lord trusted him, he could 
certainly continue to play that role as Bella so accurately points 
out. What in the heck is he doing here?  

Neri: 
> 6. You will notice that Snape most definitely doesn't do this for
> his old friend Lucius. You won't find in his words even a hint for
> some good word, some whiff of tender emotion for Lucius. He won't
> say it explicitly in front of Narcissa, but it's obvious from his
> comments to Bella that he despises the man.

Jen: No, he takes every opportunity to point out Lucius' failings 
and to confirm the fact Draco is being used as punishment.

Neri:
> Yep, I believe our poor Severus is obsessed with pureblood
> aristocracy. He despises them, oh yes, for being so incapable and
> for thinking that their ancestry makes them better, but what he
> wants more than anything is to be an aristocrat himself, more
> noble and rich and powerful than his fellows DEs. He fantasizes
> about them looking up admiringly at him. So, whom would this 
> Severus be attracted to? The muggle-born, independent, smart,
> cheeky, redhead Lily Evans, who could respect him for his
> knowledge and abilities? No, no, no. He'd fall for the 
> unachievable aristocratic pureblood, rich, elegant, frail,
> Narcissa Black, who probably treats him like dirt. 

Jen: Part of the reason this chapter was so compelling in retrospect 
is how it fits in the with theme of the book. We know what part the 
UV played in the plot, but HBP is at the core about obsession. 
Merope's obsession with Riddle leading to the birth of her son and 
her own death; Voldemort's obsession with immortality; even 
Dumbledore has an obsessive air about him during the Horcrux search. 
This chapter can easily fit into the theme even if it doesn't turn 
out to be obsessive love. Maybe it was Snape's obsessive need to be 
important in the eyes of Narcissa, who represents all the pure-blood 
WW artistocrats, which led to his downfall.

Jen, wondering if Potioncat will be able to get a fire-whiskey in 
her girl scout uniform and thinking CASTOR OIL is a splendid 
acronym :).