OFH!Snape scenario (Long)

[kiricat4001]

No: HPFGUIDX 139728

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "houyhnhnm102" <celizwh at i...> 
wrote:
> 
> Saraquel:
> 
> > Essentially, to me, Snape is torn between his 
> > preference for DDs  `democratic' (for want of a 
> > better word) world over LVs autocracy and his 
> > desire for the mysteries of the dark arts. 
> > He has no allegiance to Voldemort (though the 
> > exact reason why IMO still remains a mystery).
> 
> houyhnhnm:
> 
> It does, but one can speculate with at least a little support from
> canon.  We know that Dumbledore regards Voldemort's blood 
sacrifice to
> get into the inner cave as crude.  Combining that with what we have
> seen of LV's tendency to brag and run off at the mouth, it is not 
hard
> to imagine that "crude" is a pretty fair general characterization 
of
> Voldemort.  Snape, on the other hand, is subtle.  His mind is "a
> complex and many layered thing".
> 
> Snape has an almost prissy regard for lawn order. 

Marianne: 
I'm sure you meant "law and order," but I've got to say when I read 
that I got a great picture in my head of disdainful Snape glaring 
furiously at an unclipped lawn decorated with too many gnome statues!

houyhnhym:
 He's still carrying
> an enormous chip around on his shoulder over the fact that the
> rule-breaking, DD's trust-betraying Marauders were the fair-haired
> sons, while School Boy Severus (who kept his promise to DD not to
> reveal Lupin's secret for somewhere around 18 years) is treated 
like
> the bastard step child.  His biggest gripe about Harry is the way
> Harry is allowed to get away with rule breaking.
> 
> So, Snape could kill for revenge (or thought he could--we don't 
know
> for sure) or to bring about a New World Order.  But killing for 
fun?
> ("Half the Muggle killings back when You-Know-Who was in power were
> done for fun".)  I think it would disgust him.  Marauders cubed.

Marianne: I'm a little confused here.  I get the sense that your 
description of subtle Snape is an indication that underneath it all, 
he disapproves with or is repulsed by Voldemort's crudeness, which I 
can agree with.  But, why then, would he be willing to kill for a 
New World Order. Whose?  It doesn't seem like you think it would 
ultimately be in service of Voldemort's grand plan.  

<snip>
> houyhnhnm:
> 
> The answer to the Snape question hinges on Snape's behavior with
> regard to the prophecy, IMO.
> 
> Not so much Snape's alerting the Order to the fact that Harry has 
been
> lured to the Ministry of Magic, as the fact that the Order *knows*
> about LV's designs on the prophecy in the summer preceeding the 
fifth
> year, falsifies the ESE!Snape theory conclusively as far as I'm
> concerned.  I mean getting his hands on the prophecy was the most
> important thing LV had going on, so important he delayed starting
> WWWII for a whole year while he attempted to get ahold of it. 
> 
> But what is the effect of Snape's behavior WRT the prophecy on
> OFH!Snape?  It seems that OFH!Snape would be *very* curious to know
> the full contents of the prophecy, curious enough, I would think, 
even
> to help LV obtain it.

Marianne:

I'm not so sure.  OFH!Snape might be curious to know the prophecy, 
but delivering it, or assisting Vmort in getting it, may compromise 
his position straddling both sides.  I think Snape may suspect, if 
not know, that DD knows what the prophecy says.  Why not delay as 
long as possible and see how things pan out? Snape's not the one 
charged with getting the prophecy out - that's Lucius' task. OFH!
Snape might even suspect that the whole thing could blow up in 
Lucius' face, and if it does, it makes Snape's position with Vmort 
even more secure.

<snip> 
> Saraquel:
> 
> > Through Harry's action of saving Snape, Snape 
> > will realise the power of love that DD was talking 
> > about, but Snape never saw for himself.  When he 
> > sees it, he will realise why Harry is special and 
> > go through his own process of realisation.
> 
> houyhnhnm:
> 
> From your lips (or fingertips) to Rowling's ear.

Marianne:
It's going to have to be a nifty piece of writing to carry that 
off.  I'm not saying that it can't be done, but Snape has seemed so 
closed off from his emotions, other than when he flies into his 
occational rages, that I have a hard time seeing him have this sort 
of epiphany. I can't see him being at all happy about being saved by 
Harry, in any way, other than going though a long period of soul-
searching afterward.  Maybe part of my objection is that I can't see 
this as a thread that will take up a lot of time in Book 7, if what 
you postulate is indeed what will happen. There just seems like too 
much else that has to be resolved, and Snape's process of 
realization would seem too forced to me if it happens too quickly.

OTOH, OFH!Snape needn't go through any of this at all.  He could be 
saved by Harry, or not, and still be OFH.

Marianne, who wishes to complement Saraquel on a description of OFH!
Snape that rings true to my ears