Snape: A third possibility?

[zgirnius]

No: HPFGUIDX 133503

Hi!

I've been reading all the Snape posts (too much going on to read ALL 
posts...) because to me the Snape-related stuff in this book has been 
the most interesting. Really enjoyed Chapter 2, Snape not from 
Harry's POV, and of course the whole end of the book was such an 
emotional roller-coaster!! Thanks for all the interesting posts!

Everyone I've read seems to be falling into two camps, or assumin 
there can be only two:

1) Snape has been playing DD all along, he's a DE and a cold-blooded 
killer to the bone.

2) Snape is a heroic double-agent working with DD, he kills DD *at 
his request* as part of a deeply laid plot of some kind or another, 
despite the terrible emotional cost of this to hinself.

I actually lean towards a (toned down) version of 2), myself, must 
admit to being a romantic at heart. I really think ther evidence is 
against 1), but will not go into that here.

However, I think the discussion I have read to date is missing a 
third option for which I see a lot of evidence. It ties in with 
things JKR has said about the world not being divided up into DEs and 
good people.

In this third interpretation of the events of the series:

Snape really did come to DD sincerely remorseful for his prior bad 
actions back in the days of Voldemort's first war. He really has been 
acting as a double agent in LV's camp for DD, at considerable risk to 
himself. BUT, he takes a gamble in Chapter 2 and loses. One may 
suppose that he does not know what the plan for Draco is at that 
time, he is trying to string Cissy and Bella along to learn this 
information like a good spy would. He agrees to the UV to gain their 
trust, and is perfectly happy to swear to protect and watch over 
Draco. The third request, of course, is the kicker-I think he did not 
see it coming. Depending on what exactly Draco's mission is, it 
*still* might not even be a total disaster. (Suppose Draco is to 
steal some powerful artifact at Hogwarts, for example...if the item 
could be rendered useless prior to its being stolen, the UV would not 
be broken...) But, as thre mission turns out to be to kill DD, well, 
Snape has a problem. 

OK, now to the tower scene. What is Snape's siutation? Draco has 
finally made his move. And, he has failed, in the presence of other 
DEs, to kill Dumbledore. As I see it, Snape at this point can either 
1) Kill DD, or 2) not do it, and die for failing to live up to his 
UV. Snape goes with Option 1). Not because he truly serves LV, not 
because he hates DD, but simply to save his own life. The look 
of "hatred and revulsion" is as supporters of the "good Snape" 
theories would agree, aimed at himself/the act he is committing.

And the later scene (also mentioned by many a "good Snape" supporter) 
in which Snape reacts so strongly to Harry calling him a 
coward...well, the strength of the reaction could also be because 
Snape *agrees* with Harry's estimation at that point. He's just 
killed a man who trusted and helped him in order to save his own 
life, and is ashamed of his own actions.

This third option definitely leaves open the possibility of all sorts 
of interesting Snape related plots for Book 7, as much so as 
the "good Snape" theory, in my opinion. (Evil DE Snape has less 
potential for Book 7, I think...we've enough paper-chewing posturing 
Eeevuull villains running around already, though I suppose Snape has 
a style all his own.) His guilt could inspire him to some kind of 
sabotage in LVs camp (no need to coordinate with Order mambers of 
Harry for this type of action), or he could have some sort 
of "redemptive" scene where he does die protecting some other 
character, or something like that.

--zgirnius