Harry Forgiving Snape / Grey!Snape and Character Growth

[Jen Reese]

No: HPFGUIDX 162944

> Debbie:
> I don't disagree at all that Snape has been DDM! all these years,
> though I also think Snape relishes the double-agent tightrope, and 
> thinks he's damn good at it (which would be consistent with OFH!
> Snape, a theory that I have flirted with in the past). 

Jen: I completely agree with you on this point.  Maybe DDM'ers don't 
want us back in their camp after all? <beg>  I used a quote from OOTP 
to back this one up, here it is again: "That is just as well, 
Potter," said Snape coldly, "because you are neither special nor 
important, and it is not up to you to find out what the Dark Lord is 
saying to his Death Eaters."  "No--that's your job, isn't it?"  Harry 
shot back at him....there was a curious, almost satisfied expression 
on Snape's face when he answered. "Yes, Potter," he said, his eyes 
glinting. "That is my job."  (chap. 26)

I still see OFH characteristics in Snape even if he's been loyal from 
the minute he returned to Dumbledore.  Whether that's part of the JKR 
misdirection or a real part of his character is hard to say.  I'm 
banking on real. 

> Debbie:
> I agree with 99.9% of this.  I believe that Snape will prove to be
> DDM!, that Dumbledore's trust in him will prove to be merited, that
> Snape is no ally of Voldemort and is steeped in remorse for the 
> events in Godric's Hollow.  And y'all have succeeded in convincing
> me that since this is *Harry's* story, not Snape's, it's not really
> likely that we'll see his torment.

> Yet, I see Snape seething with rage out there beyond the Hogwarts
> gates.  In spite of the UV, he hoped to avoid having to kill 
> Dumbledore, and thought he could pull it off right up until he 
> arrived at the top of the Tower.  This is my Grey! starting point.

Jen:  It's hard to imagine a Snape who's not enraged, that's his 
fallback position during stressful times.  The question is where the 
rage would be directed?  My idea from yesterday was that Snape might 
lay a little blame at Harry's feet because, well, that's what he 
does!  That's consistent with how Snape operates when it comes to 
Harry.  And technically he could feel some rage toward Draco and 
Narcissa, but that's not safe because he would then have to hide the 
impulse with Occlumency.  Or would he?  Draco at least could be 
explained away as Snape feeling enraged Draco couldn't kill 
Dumbledore like a real DE.  I'm not sold on rage toward Draco and 
Narcissa like I am toward Harry, though.

> Debbie:
> Where I'm coming from is this:  Crises are catalysts that prompt
> us, as humans (er, maybe I'm just speaking for myself), to examine
> how we got into the mess we're in.  Snape's loyalty to Dumbledore
> was put to a terrible test.  He was asked to play the part of Judas
> *and* the part of Pontius Pilate while the DEs shouted "Crucify 
> him!"  He must be consumed with rage at Dumbledore for insisting
> that this was the right thing to do, and even asking himself:  Was
>  my loyalty worth this?  Was my remorse for two long-dead 
> classmates worth throwing away my life?

Jen: Good point, you do have to wonder how long the very strongest 
feelings of remorse would last.  Maybe his remorse simply stagnated 
and didn't recede much? Or I believe it was Carol who suggested Harry 
brought back those feelings of remorse.  I can't see Snape's remorse 
remaining at the same constant high level even so. 

As for feeling rage toward Dumbledore, that just seems like a normal 
human response.  Especially since Dumbledore asked Snape to do an 
almost impossible task, promptly exited the situation and then left 
Snape to clean up the mess.  That alone makes me think the pleading 
was not just about killing Dumbledore, DD sensed hesitation on 
Snape's part regarding *everything* Dumbledore was asking him to do.  
Looking after Harry and acting loyal to Voldemort cannot be high on 
the Snape wish-list and trying to accomplish these two diametrically 
opposed tasks at the same time....!  Snape's good at what he does, 
but I'm not sure he's *that* good without help. 

Debbie:
> I have no doubt how Snape will ultimately answer these questions.
> Snape will vindicate Dumbledore's trust in him, but I can't see his
> loyalty as unflinching. There's a soliloquy out there somewhere --
 "Who calls me villain?" -- and I want to hear it.  

Jen: I'll draw up a chair for that one. You said earlier we won't see 
Snape's torment since it's Harry's story--do you think the solioquy 
will make it in or you just feel Snape's story calls for some 
agonized reflection?

> Debbie:
> Somehow, a Snape that never questioned why he continued to be loyal
> to someone who expected him to split his soul in order to save
> everyone else is just a little bit too close to that good-hearted 
> Snape that I abhor.

Jen: Compelling POV, I'll have to think about this one.

Jen, who did her own Christmas baking and is up way too late again.