This is not the Snape we wanted. Can we still love him?

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 134432

> >>Inking:
> <snip>
> So, if you don't agree, fine, but let's not argue that one just 
> now.  If you do agree, or you are undecided, you are asking 
> yourself, as we all are, what does this mean for the conclusion of 
> the series?
> The first thing we need to accept is that the Snape we thought we 
> knew doesn't exist.  The sour and even mean but noble at heart 
> Potions master with the venomous wit -- we all loved this guy.    
> But it turns out he was a creation of collective imagination,     
> seduced of course by JKR and all the reassurances she put in       
> Dumbledore's mouth.
> The real Snape is not that person.  He is somebody else.  Who, 
> exactly, we don't know; we just know he is capable of great evil, 
> and with less excuse for it than Voldemort.
> <snip>

Betsy Hp:
Sorry.  I can't accept your premise.  It's like saying, "okay, let's 
say Dumbledore's a pedophile, still think he's a good guy?" Because, 
of course under those circumstances, Dumbledore becomes evil.  The 
reason I'm refusing your premise is because Snape post-HBP is even 
*more* the man I thought he was.  

Pre-HBP I knew Snape was brave and clever and willing to do whatever 
it took to fulfill the task at hand, even take on the derision of 
his colleagues (i.e. refereeing the quidditch match in PS/SS).  But 
I always feared seeing Snape as *this* much of a badass; I worried 
that I was overplaying his coolness.  But watching him match wits 
with Bellatrix, getting evidence that he really *is* a spy, being 
told that he's Voldemort's right-hand-man, and finally seeing that 
he is as much, if not more Dumbledore's man than Harry (though, 
honestly, I think Harry would have been capable of taking similar 
action), I realized I'd been *too* reticent with Snape.

Snape *will* do whatever it takes, he *is* that clever and brave.  
So not only does the "Snape I thought I knew" exist, he exists in 
technicolor, surround sound, baby!  Frankly, I'm thrilled.

Betsy Hp (whose husband *still* hasn't finished HBP. *pouts*)