Will Snape betray Dumbledore? Re: my greatest fear....

[pippin_999]

No: HPFGUIDX 121246


Nora:
> In other words, it matters how you carry out your loyalty, no 
matter  what your goal.
> 

> See, I can buy that interpretation.  On some levels, with some 
holes  plugged in, it makes a lot of sense.  It's just so close to 
being so  deeply, well, evil.  It is certainly contrary Dumbledore's 
morality, who I maintain is still the guiding force with connections 
to something.   It is deeply ironic given the revelation in GoF of 
Snape's own 'second chance' status, to the point of hypocrisy--
second chance for me, but not for anyone else, no.  <

Pippin:

But a second chance is supposed to be conditional on the 
recognition that you were wrong before. As far as Snape knows, 
Sirius is maintaining that he's still on his first one. Snape didn't 
hear Sirius confess that he feels responsible for James' and 
Lily's deaths, he's only heard Sirius protest his innocence. He 
did hear him say that it served Snape right to be sent to the 
werewolf. Of course Snape presses for an explanation; he wants 
to make sure his life really matters--Voldemort, after all, would 
throw it away without a qualm. 

Dumbledore might just be reminding him that he's surely proved  
it does.

One more thing, Dumbledore doesn't answer Snape's  question 
as to whether he believes Sirius's story. He only insists 
he wishes to speak to Harry and Hermione alone and sends 
Snape away after Fudge. To what  is Snape being disloyal when 
he says he hopes Dumbledore will not make difficulties? 
Dumbledore hasn't given his opinion yet; surely Snape is entitled 
to his?

Snape is the banner bearer for second chances; if he blows it, or 
if he must die a martyr's death to redeem himself, it's not going 
to be very encouraging is it? To paraphrase a bumper sticker, 
Snape needn't be perfect, just forgiven.

Pippin