[HPforGrownups] Harry's ability to trust his instincts, and ESE!Snape

[Vivamus]

No: HPFGUIDX 134377

> davenclaw:
> 
[snip]
> 
> Now, what about Harry trusting the HBP?  If Snape is actually 
> Good, then we see that Harry even has correct instincts about 
> Snape, when he doesn't know that it's Snape.  If Snape is 
> ESE, then we see that Harry was wrong to "befriend" the HBP 
> in his mind, but he was very right about Snape himself.  Dilemma!
> 
[snip]
> 
> But when I read HBP, I can easily see Snape being truly ESE 
> on the basis that it fits in with the theme of Harry finally 
> being able to trust his instincts - but I can also see it as 
> a huge step in his progression, which would actually 
> culminate with his ability to trust a Good!Snape.
> 
> - davenclaw

Vivamus:

WONDERFUL post.  As much as I enjoy nit-picking the story logic to squeeze
the "truth" out of it, it is nice to be reminded that JKR really is the
story goddess, and the way the story will go (not just for major plot
points, but for ships, potential FLINTs, and anything else) is the way JKR
WANTS it to go.  It is, after all, her story, and she has done an excellent
job of leaving us hanging with two valid explanations of the events so far.

Personally, I think a loyal Snape fits what we have seen better than
ESE!Snape, but you are absolutely right.  What JKR has given us could
certainly go either way -- and that is about as far as logic can take us.
The maturation of Harry, the response of Buckbeak, or any one of half a
dozen other things all could tip the balance away from where I think it is,
and who is to say what JKR thinks is the most important factor in that
equation?

Thank you, davenclaw.

Vivamus