My 7 book 7 predictions LONGish -- Replying to Alla

[lupinlore]

No: HPFGUIDX 147950


> Alla:
> 
> HAHA. Harry saving Snape's a** will be the very best punishment for
> Snape, but unfortunately I am predicting that JKR will not go as far
> as to leave Snape in Potter's life debt again. I think that Harry
> will save Snape in the middle of the book and close to the end Snape
> will save Harry.

Lupinlore:
So Harry's action will be the crux for a Snape who is redeemed 
*within* the book, rather than being revealed as having been redeemed 
all along?  I think this has great possibilities.  It allows Snape to 
stay complex while placing the emphasis on HARRY'S actions and 
decisions and their effects.  After all, one of the greatest powers 
of love and forgiveness is the way in which they can be the vehicles 
of redemption.  I think we are mostly agreed that Voldy isn't a good 
candidate for redemption through love.  Draco seems headed in that 
direction already, so redeeming him that way would be anticlimactic.  
That leaves Snape and Peter.  I do think the significance of Harry's 
love/forgiveness needs to be at least partly about someone OTHER than 
Harry.  That is, for all that has been said about forgiveness being 
about Harry and his learning of wisdom, Harry as a character is 
largely defined by his concern and action for others, not himself.


> Alla:
<SNIP>
> I don't even need him physically beaten, to me it would be
> satisfactory enough to see him powerless and at Harry's mercy. To
> make this scene plausible I can imagine that Harry at that point
> already decided to forgive Snape, so Harry is not becoming LIKE 
Snape
> but for some brief period of time Snape does not know that yet and
> hates awaiting Harry's decision as to his fate ( not sure when and
> how that would happen) and starts running his mouth at Harry again,
> desperate and powerless. Oh, yes, I would love to see that.

lupinlore:
Hmmm.  I'm going to reverse myself a bit here.  I've just said above 
that Harry's love/forgiveness needs to be at least partly efficacious 
for someone other than Harry, at least if the true power of love is 
to be demonstrated.  On the other hand, Harry's love has to be at 
least partly about Harry, as well.  Don't you think it would be more 
dramatic for BOTH characters if Harry came to a decision about 
forgiveness not BEFORE having Snape in his power, but DURING that 
confrontation?  That way, the effects of Harry's love on BOTH 
characters could play out simultaneously.  Your scenario about 
Snape "running his mouth" provides some interesting possibilities.  
Can you imagine Harry coming to pity Snape as Snape runs his mouth, 
and Snape's humiliation as he realizes that Harry is not respecting 
or fearing him, but pitying him?  The possibilities are ... 
interesting indeed.


Lupinlore