In Defense of Snape (long)

[snow15145]

No: HPFGUIDX 122054





I really hate to get into a Snape debate on his teaching methods but 
it is too compelling, can't help myself. First off Snape is not only 
a teacher but is also a spy, this can cause conflict in what Snape 
normally would have seen as a proper teaching method. Not only does 
Snape need to cross over between the spy and the teacher but also the 
fact of his appearance and eventually, at least to Harry, a former 
death-eater status. That's quite a performer who can take on such a 
work load and still manage to produce the most lament students to do 
well on their OWLS, at least the exams appear to have gone well for 
both Harry and Neville.  

Snape the spy is teaching class in front of death-eaters sons, would 
it not be wise for Snape to appear to be of Slytherin like tendency? 
Does Snape really have a choice not to be more than rude in front of 
his former colleagues sons? It does sell the point to them at the 
very least, which is very good if Snape wants to remain as the rest 
of his former colleagues have done; which is to appear to take up 
residence on the side of good. 

The next controversy is how far Snape goes with his appeared hatred 
for Harry or Neville. This position has always been of debate but you 
really need to remember that Snape is a sufficient Legilemence and 
can see who his students are and how far he can push them; namely 
Harry and Neville. Snape has already told us by way of telling Sirius 
in the beginning of the Occlumency Chapter of OOP, that he knows who 
Harry is and how much physiological punishment he can take:

"But surely you have noticed that Potter is very like his 
father?" "Yes, I have," said Sirius proudly. "Well then, you'll know 
he's so arrogant that criticism simply bounces off him," Snape said 
sleekly. 

Snape knows how far he can push Harry or even Neville because he 
knows who they are through his legilemency powers. 

Take Neville he appears to be afraid but, as it all turns out, we see 
at the end of OOP that Neville has superior bravery. Snape could see 
this and knows that he can push Neville beyond his apparent limits. 

Snape has to maintain a status of appearing to be a death-eater and 
also a reformed death-eater and also teach lessons that may not 
always pertain to potions class. 

Then we get into the aspect of whether or not Snape is actually 
attempting to play the good side or not. I will defiantly admit to 
being a fence sitter on this one, which does not denounce what I have 
said above. Whether Snape is good or evil he still needs to play the 
part, this is why there have been more posts created on Snape than on 
Harry, or else one or the other will suspect him. No one can be 
accurately certain that Snape is good or evil, which is what makes 
him a great character!  

I do have a proposition as to why Snape came back to the side of the 
good. (Most likely has been done before with an acronym ta boot) This 
proposal concerns the mysterious life debt. What do we know about the 
life debt policy? It's a magical contact of sorts but we don't know 
for certain what it entails. Does the life debt make a person save 
the other party beyond their control to do so, if so did Snape come 
back to the side of good of his free will or was he empowered to come 
back, which caused him to leave Voldemort unwillingly? With Voldemort 
leaving is still leaving so Dumbledore can ascertain that Snape is no 
more a death-eater than I am because Snape can't go back. 

If Snape is bound by a life debt contract to James then Snape had to 
relinquish his former ways against his will. Let's take Pettigrew for 
an example of the life debt, Harry saved him and thus Pettigrew was 
bound to the life debt. Dumbledore does not appear to be the least 
bit concerned over Pettigrew's escape to Voldemort via the life debt 
(almost like he had a gleam in his eye) after the Shrieking Shack 
incident in POA. Then Dumbledore reacts quickly when Harry initially 
tells DD that Pettigrew drew blood in the graveyard but calms down 
instantly when he examines the area that the blood had been drawn 
from. Dumbledore has told Harry that Voldemort would not want a 
servant who is indebted to a life debt:

"Pettigrew owes his life to you. You have sent Voldemort a deputy who 
is in your debt
When one wizard saves another wizard's life, it 
creates a certain bond between them
"

Pettigrew, in the instance of taking Harry's blood, saved Harry's 
life. Pettigrew didn't mutilate Harry or kill Harry for his blood. Is 
Pettigrew still indebted according to the life debt contract? 

I realize I strayed from the contents of the post but it does apply
?

Snow