Grey!Snape and Character Growth (was:Voldemort's Plan for Snape & the Ring...

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 162823

> >>Betsy Hp:
> > I think this encapsulates the issue I have with Grey!Snape.      
> > Either in HBP or in Book 7 Snape goes through a life-change where 
> > he finally figures out who he is and what he stands for, right?  
> > But, much as I love Snape (and I really, really love him <g>) I   
> > don't think he can be this active growth-wise.

> >>Jen: You and others have argued Grey makes too much of Snape,    
> that the story will veer off from Harry to Snape.  To me Grey is   
> already front and center! 
> <snip> 
> I didn't mean Snape went through character growth in HBP, what I 
> meant by the crucible was that a confluence of events forced Snape 
> out in the open (ironically on the wrong side).  While Dumbledore 
> dealt in mercy and Voldemort in savagery, Snape walked a tightrope 
> between them engaging in neither one.
> <snip>

Betsy Hp:
It's so funny because the man you describe just is not Snape to me; I 
don't recognize him at all.  (Which means, of course, that you must 
have the same reaction when *I* talk about Snape.  "Who is this 
strange creature Betsy's talking about?" <g>)  So I cannot imagine 
that I'll change your mind.  (I'll leave that to JKR and Book 7. 
<beg>)

But the other issue I have is that there's too much going on here.  
There's not a "true" Snape in this scenario.  He's a little bit of 
what Dumbledore sees, a little bit of what Voldemort sees, and a 
little bit of what Harry sees, carefully walking a tightrope and 
refusing to choose.  And the problem with that is it makes for a very 
poor "revelation".  You say there's no growth involved, but there 
must be.  Because even Snape doesn't know who he is until he's forced 
by circumstance to finally pick a personality.  And in picking 
that "true" Snape, Snape must change.  (Actually, I think you're 
stealing Draco's story and trying to stick it on Snape.)

> >>Betsy: 
> > I feel like his job is to be a sort of dark mirror for Harry.  And
> > I think an important moment of growth for Harry will be when 
> > the "real Severus Snape" is finally revealed to him.  But I do 
> > think it'll be a revelation rather than Snape *becoming* the     
> > person Harry needs to see.

> >>Jen: Harry doesn't understand what Dumbledore did, that you can   
> be on the same side even when you don't personally like someone or 
> share his values.

Betsy Hp:
But you're not presenting a Severus Snape who is on Harry's (or 
Dumbledore's) side.  So Harry wouldn't recognize that particular 
lesson if your Grey!Snape was supposed to be the example.  Instead 
Harry would learn that even rats know when to flee a sinking ship.  
Or that the proper amount of leverage can make a repugnant person 
useful.  Which Harry has already started to learn (Slughorn).

For Harry to learn that an ally doesn't have to also be a friend 
Snape must be wholly on the side of good.  Snape must be a *true* 
ally.  He can't be seen as dithering.  And he can't be seen as having 
dithered.  Because then Harry will not see him as an ally.  And Harry 
would be right, quite frankly.  A grown man who can not make up his 
mind until forced to is not to be trusted.

> >>Jen:
> Harry needs a lesson in the grey area of life ;-), not 
> finding out the real Severus Snape is a lot like him on the inside.

Betsy Hp:
But... Harry's *already* seen that Snape is a lot like him on the 
inside.  He's had two sneak attacks of "OMG, I'm relating to SNAPE!" 
at current count.  Do you really think Harry's feeling after the 
pensieve scene and his bonding with the half-blood Prince were 
examples of JKR spinning her wheels?

> >>Jen: 
> Draco will be Harry's biggest revelation imo, his nemesis from the 
> same generation who *does* change before his eyes in terms of      
> loyalty.

Betsy Hp:
Exactly!  Which is why Snape needs to have been steadily on the good 
guys' side throughout the books.  Just as he was in PS/SS.  Otherwise 
either he or Draco is a wasted character, one the faded copy of the 
other.  (And since Draco's the one running around with the "bad 
faith" moniker, I'm betting on him being the one having to make a 
resolute choice.  You know, because of Sartre. <g>)

> >>Betsy:
> > IOWs, I think Grey!Snape makes it a bit too much about Snape.     
> > (Can you belive I'm making this argument?!?) 

> >>Jen: No!  Just as odd as me arguing so fervently when I hoped     
> Snape would go away in book 6. What's up with us?!

Betsy Hp, blaming JKR... as always <g>