Snape is not evil

[sbursztynski]

No: HPFGUIDX 134129

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "rtb333" 
<rtb333 at y...> wrote:
Snip> I think it is time for a reread of HBP for some people.  It 
has been
> stated a number of times, but every Snape!ESE theorist is 
running with
> their Harry-Goggles on.  
> 
> First off:
>    Snape had the perfect opportunity to kill(or not heal) 
Dumbledor. 
> DD comments that he would have died of the injuries the ring's 
hex
> gave him if not for Professor Snape.  
>    Snape doesn't try to kill Harry at the end when he has ample
> opportunity.  Isn't it funny that they didn't bring Harry back to
> Voldemort when they had the chance.  Snape gave the order to 
leave
> Harry.  
>     Those are irrefutable facts towards Snapes loyalty to DD.

Sue here:

I don't know about "irrefutable", but I'm going to keep an open 
mind about this till Book 7 comes out, and add to the above:

1. There was that conversation overheard by Hagrid - red 
herring? I suspect not. Some time, we'll have to find out what "it" 
is that Snape doesn't want to do any more.

2. He could have killed DD at any time after GoF - why merely spy 
on DD when he could kill his master's greatest enemy? The 
Minister of Magic was an idiot, the wizarding world was in chaos, 
or getting there - it would have been an ideal time to do it! Plus 
he must have been giving an Oscar-winning performance during 
that scene where he agreed to take on the mission for DD.

3. If he actually WAS under LV's orders to spy on DD, why did LV 
lie to the DE's in that scene in GoF?

4. He could have killed Flitwick in his office before proceeding to 
the roof - why not? He had nothing further to lose. He could have 
zapped Hermione and Luna. Instead, he knocked out Flitwick, 
who wasn't  even badly hurt, and misdirected the girls. In fact, as 
far as I recall, nobody from Hogwarts actually died except DD. (If 
I'm forgetting someone forgive me!)

5. DD knew what Draco was up to - who told him about it if not 
Snape? 

I am with those who suspect that the deed was an emergency 
plan - "if worst comes to worst, you'll have to kill me, to convince 
LV that you're on his side and give Harry his chance." The 
loathing on his face may have been anger with DD for forcing 
him to do this.

I could be wrong, of course - and we will all have two years of fun 
speculating. I do believe that Snape will be dead by the end of 
Book 7, but under what circumstances, I don't know.

Harry may not be quite ready for his final confrontation, but then, 
DD was taken by surprise - and so was Snape, for that matter.