[HPforGrownups] OFH! Snape again. WAS: Straightforward readings?

[Sherry Gomes]

No: HPFGUIDX 140772

Alla:

Because he wants to stay out of Azkaban MORE than he wants to openly 
practice Dark Arts, maybe? And as we know Dumbledore's protection 
was the only thing that kept him out of Azkaban.

I am not sure if Dumbledore would agree ( well, he probably would 
agree - he is that kind of guy, dear Headmaster), or whether he 
would be able to shelter Snape from Azkaban if he went to 
Durmstrangs. Too far away from Hogwarts, IMO.

So, Snape stays and bites his time, picking and choosing which side 
to take and  the starting point where he starts to choose NOT 
Dumbledore's side would be the end of POA, where Dumbledore ( in 
Snape mind) let him be publickly mocked and humiliated.

I don't think that Snape is the kind of guy, who takes humiliation 
well, personally, even if it is only in his mind.

I really like this line of thought, even if it is mostly 
speculative, because I believe that there are signs which may 
support it.


Just my opinion.

Alla



Sherry now:

I like your thoughts on that, Alla.  I would also like to add, that Pippin's
question got me thinking.  It seems to me that OFH Snape is the perfect
embodiment of the negative side of Slytherin.  He is not loyal to either
side; he is out to do the best for himself.  It may not be as complicated as
wanting to be the next dark lord.  It could just be that he turns his coat,
depending on which side he believes to be the most powerful at the time, and
or the one that can give him the most at the time.  Whether that be
recognition, reward, honor, dark arts ... I don't have a clue.  But the
whole essence of out for himself Snape would be that he is out to pick the
side that will win, in his estimation, and the side that will ultimately
give him the best, whatever that might be to him.  It could actually explain
so much of Snape, without him having to be either Dumbledore's or
Voldemort's man.  The ultimate Slytherin, out to save his own skin.

Sherry