Harry Forgiving Snape / Grey!Snape and Character Growth

[Ceridwen]

No: HPFGUIDX 162890

Antonia:
> Question: since when it is so important that Harry should forgive
> Snape? I don't consider him the almighty authority that will get the
> right to condemn and to forgive in the end. Fscts and actions will
> speak for themselves and if Harry will still have a grudge against
> Snape that is his business.

Ceridwen:
Harry's "power the Dark Lord knows not" is, according to Dumbledore, 
Love.  His feelings toward Snape are anything but loving.  In the 
beginning of HBP, he acknowledges to himself that he would rather 
blame and hate Snape for Sirius's death than think about any blame he 
might have himself.  He revels in this hatred.  It makes him feel 
better.

But, it is counter-productive, given his special power and his 
purpose through the books.  If Love is the one thing that will defeat 
Voldemort, and he does seem to be clueless about Love in any form, 
then the one who wields that Love can't have hatred.  Not the sort of 
hatred Harry has, and has had, toward Snape.  It is an impediment, to 
Harry's growth as a person and a hero, and to the fate of the 
Wizarding World. It's like trying to drive a car with the parking 
brake on.

Harry's forgiveness of Snape won't affect any legal or spiritual 
matters with Snape.  I can't imagine Snape at trial and the 
prosecution agreeing to drop its case because Harry Potter forgave 
him.  And if Snape should die in book 7, Harry's forgiveness won't 
have any bearing on that judgement, either.  The forgiveness is 
purely personal, and will have meaning for Harry and possibly for 
Snape, but that's all.

The concern is for Harry to shed the things that will hinder his 
vanquishing of Voldemort, nothing more.  Hope this helps!

Ceridwen.