Harry Forgiving Snape / Grey!Snape and Character Growth

[Ceridwen]

No: HPFGUIDX 162936

SSSusan:
*(snip)*
> As others have mentioned in another current thread, the hatred that 
Harry feels towards Snape isn't only contrary to the Love that DD has 
told him is vital to Harry's power; it's that it's actually an 
*impediment* to the process of defeating Voldy.  As long as Harry 
contains such rage, hatred & anger towards anyone, will he be able to 
tap into Love as he needs to? will he be able to focus on the task of 
defeating Voldy?  If one believes the answer to that is "no," then 
Harry will have to deal with that hatred fully, and I'm not sure 
*only* discovering Snape is truly loyal to DD (and has been for some 
time) will be enough by itself.
*(snip)*
Snape may well be ultimately loyal to DD and fighting truly against 
Voldemort (I believe it to be so), but he has done some horrible 
things; he has made some awful choices; he has caused some damage 
along the way.  Some fans are ready to explain all this away because 
of "extenuating circumstances" or as irrelevant because loyalty is 
what matters in the end or whatever.  I don't agree with that, but 
even if I did, that's Snape-centric.  I think what Jen is suggesting, 
and I agree with her, is that there's a lot more to Snape than JUST 
the loyalty issue, and there is a lot there that HARRY would need to 
get over in order to listen to this man, to trust this man, to work 
with this man.  Snape's actions have appeared Grey many times; 
they've arguably *been* Grey many times [joining the DEs, providing 
the info on the prophecy to Voldy, taking the UV].  Harry will need 
SOMETHING to start the process going of *considering* The Whole of 
Snape – who he is, who he has been, the choices he has made – and 
likely the loyalty issue will be that catalyst.
*(snip)* 
Siriusly Snapey Susan, DDM!Snaper through and through but also an 
appreciator of the need for *Harry* to deal with Grey!Snape!

Ceridwen:
I'm one of the people who think that Harry MUST get over his hatred 
of Snape before he can fully access this Love power he needs to 
defeat LV.  I know it's a lot to ask of a teenage boy who has had bad 
relationships with the people in his life from practically the 
beginning, but as the Hero, he needs to get beyond it, become the 
Hero in every way.  Benevolence, kindness, mercy and all of that.  
And the hatred is indeed, in my opinion, an impediment to his ability 
to access that Love unrestricted.

Which means that he will have to deal with information about Snape 
that he might at first not want to hear.  This may be Harry's mini-
crucible, but going through the process of understanding and 
forgiving will temper him and make him strong enough to fulfill his 
destiny.

As much as I love the character of Snape, I agree that this is not 
his story.  He is only important in his role as a supporting 
character to Harry and the mission.  In the end, everyone will have 
to step aside and allow Harry to do what he has to do.  That includes 
Snape.  But, I think for Harry to be able to work with Snape, trust 
him, etc., the loyalty issue will need to come before any other, or 
be the paramount issue Harry has to deal with.  How can he trust 
someone who may not be on his side?  Of course, he may have to put 
his trust in him anyway, but I'm trying to keep it simple.

So, what you're saying is that Grey!Snape, to you, is what Harry sees 
and has to deal with?  That's an interesting perspective.  I like it, 
if it is what you're saying.

Ceridwen.