I never thought: Snape is good!

[Chris]

No: HPFGUIDX 133205

    First, I want to say that I myself am the last person I expected 
to be in the Snape camp. I was always under the impression that he 
was nothing more than a malicious child abuser (see pre-HPB rampant 
posting), but this book has put Snape into a new light. And, these 
thoughts come only after my re-read of the entire book ( I had 
nothing else to do this weekend).
 
    I do not cater to the idea that Dumbledore blindly trusted Snape 
simply because he always tries to see the good in people. I think he 
is more skilled at Occlumency / Leglimency than any other wizard 
before him. Snape could never have fooled him, no matter how good at 
occlumency he himself was. I believe Snape could LIE to LV and make 
him believe that Snape had never turned good, but not DD. I think 
this is foreshadowed in OoTP during Harry's first occlumency lesson 
with Snape: Snape tells Harry that mastering occlumency would allow 
one to utter lies in LV's presence, and not be found out. Snape never 
mentions DD, however. 

    This is also the reason I think LV feared DD above all other 
wizrds. LV could never fool DD no matter how hard he tried. DD had 
always kept an eye on Riddle at school, and LV never forgot this. He 
knows DD could figure out his plans, thus the plan to erase him. I 
always thought that LV feared DD because he was a bad-ass at magic. 
Now, I'm of the opinion that LV feared DD because he was a skilled 
occlumens/leglimens, and no matter what, DD could always figure him 
out.

    Either way, back to Snape. Here are my reasons for the existence 
of Good!Snape:

    (1) He visibly balks at taking the vow to fulfill whatever deed 
Draco has undertaken from LV while performing the unbreakable vow. At 
this point, judging from later interactions with Draco, Snape is 
unsure of what this task is. However, Snape could probably figure out 
that it either concerned Harry or DD. The visible hesitation on the 
part of Snape is fishy. At this point in the book, the point of view 
is not Harry's, so the hesitation is probably not one of Jo's red 
herrings.

    (2) Snape is usually very quick to anger whenever Harry has a run-
in with Malfoy. However, when Harry attacks Malfoy in the bathroom, 
more viciously than ever before, Snape gives him detention.

    (3) Snape is fully aware of where Harry learned the sectumsempra 
spell. After all, he created it, and knows that Harry must have his 
spellbook. Howewver, Snape is not visibly affronted that Harry used 
his spell...he almost seems to respect Harry for performing such a 
feat of dark magic. Totally out of character.

    (4) Snape never curses Harry with any intention of hurting Harry, 
only to merely stop him. If Snape harbors such negative feelings 
toward Harry, why not do more? Yes, Snape could be saving Harry for 
LV to kill. BUt he could torture Harry a little couldn't he? When DE 
crucioed Harry from behind at Hagrid's cabin, Snape stopped it. Why 
wouldn't Snape allow a little torture for Harry if he hated him so 
much? 

    (5) Snape has yet to harm Harry even slightly, while he has been 
at Hogwarts. In Harry's first year, LV was obviously out of the 
picture, so Snape didn't need to "save" Harry for LV, did he? No. But 
he has never laid a finger on Harry, no matter how much he hated him.

    (6) In an earlier post, someone mentioned Snape's assistance to 
Harry. If you were fighting someone wanting to kill you, would you 
give them instructions on how to do it better? Snape tells 
Harry: "Blocked again and again and again until you learn to keep 
your mouth shut and your mind closed, Potter!" (U.S. 603). I don't 
see this line so much as taunting Harry as it is giving him 
instruction.

    (7)Ah, the great debate over Dumbledore begging Snape, and the AK 
heard (or read) around the world. Anybody that has read these books 
and paid the slightest bit of attention would know that DD would 
never beg anyone to spare his life. As he knows, and has stated, 
there are worst things than death, and he didn't fear it at all. I 
see this, like others have, as pleading FOR death. I think DD knew of 
the pact, and did not want to see Snape die for breaking it. When 
Malfoy failed, as Snape saw, he probably was wavering, and the plea 
from DD pushed him into action. Dumbledore did not care about dying, 
and I think that he could be more powerful in death than alive. A DD 
out of the picture would embolden LV, and possibly cause him to make 
a mistake. 

     I think the look of hatred and loathing on Snape's face at the 
point of the AK was neither of those, but perhaps a look of anguish. 
He did not want to kill DD, but really he had no choice. If he's as 
close to DD as I suspect him to be, Snape will know in the end that 
he did the correct thing, and maintained his cover as well. 

     Others have stated how they think a good Snape will cheapen the 
story, but not me. After Snape's behavior through six books, I am 
almost begging him to be good. I want to see Snape in action, to see 
what he is truly capable of. If I guess right, and I think I do, I'm 
pretty sure that Snape has abilities to rival those of DD and LV, and 
I would like to see them in book seven.

     Dumbledore has given Harry the mentality and the verve he needs 
to accomplish the tasks at hand. Let us hope that Snape will somehow 
provide him with the tools. Here's to Badass!Harry and Badass!Snape 
in book seven.

Chris