JKR's interviews WAS: Snape's canon opposite/ Proving loyalty

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 140233

> >>Alla:
> > Oh, good that you brought up Draco. She actually remained VERY 
> > consistent in her comments about him, no?

> Potioncat:
> Yes, and he's still a toe-rag. But she seemed to write him from a 
> more sympathetic view point which has really confused me. He      
> seemed less "bad" after HBP than he did before. He's more         
> conflicted than I expected.
> <snip>

Betsy Hp:
Exactly!  I was *thrilled* with HBP because it took Draco in a 
direction I'd hoped he would go, one I thought the books hinted at, 
and one which JKR's interviews cast doubt upon.  Because, though JKR 
may have maintained interview consistency, her *book* consistency 
changed.  Her sympathy for Draco became *much* more overt.  Even 
Harry felt pity for Draco by book end.  To run with your 
excellent "Christmas Present" analogy, Potioncat, this was one 
present I loved opening. <g>

I've read so very many rants by Draco fans, convinced JKR must 
really hate the poor boy, mostly based on JKR's interviews.  And my 
feeling was, if we see something good in Draco, JKR must as well 
because she created him.  Ignore the interviews, look at his 
treatment in the books and the shadow of a possibly good boy 
(Dumbledore's innocent) is evident.  By the end of HBP it's arrived 
(and here's hoping it lasts!).

> >>Alla:
> OK, so out of curiousity, do you think that the direction JKR will
> go with Snape character will be contrary to what she says about   
> him? I mean, do you think that she is not portraying "deeply      
> horrible person", but a "nice guy"?
> <snip>

Betsy Hp:
In a nut shell?  Yes.  Snape will end the books on the side of the 
angels (the definition of a "nice guy" for me).  Doesn't mean JKR 
lied, so much as she supported Harry's viewpoint at that time. 
(Whoever came up with that theory, I like it.  It makes a lot of 
sense.)

No, the interviews are, at best, entertaining, and at worst 
misleading (yeah, I said it!).  And frankly, ignoring them has yet 
to lead me astray.  (Book 7, will of course, be the proving ground.  
Blood will run, I'm sure.)

Betsy Hp